Hormipresa Arctic Wall: prefabricated construction system achieves Passivhaus component certification
Hormipresa Arctic Wall is a fully industrialised construction system, certified for passive houses in the warm-temperate climate zone, as the regular U-values of the exterior components are below 0,25 W/m²K and the connections meet the criteria of ‘thermal bridge free’.
Hormipresa Arctic Wall: prefabricated construction system achieves Passivhaus component certification
For the purpose of certification, a three-dimensional simulation was carried out to determine the thermal effect of the steel wall ties and lattice system.
Components which have been certified for climate zones with higher requirements may also be used in climates with less stringent requirements.
Hormipresa Arctic Wall is a fully industrialised construction system, certified for passive houses in the warm-temperate climate zone, as the regular U-values of the exterior components are below 0,25 W/m²K and the connections meet the criteria of ‘thermal bridge free’. The system consists of 9cm of PIR thermal insulation, sandwiched between a 15cm reinforced concrete layer internally and a 6cm white concrete layer externally. The two concrete layers are held together with a galvanized steel lattice system with wall ties that minimise heat transmission while providing mechanical strength. Additionally, 4cm of mineral wool insulation is installed internally in the service void. For the purpose of certification, a three-dimensional simulation was carried out to determine the thermal effect of the steel wall ties and lattice system that penetrate the insulation layer. The roof consists of a prestressed concrete hollow core slab with 14cm of XPS insulation. For the ground floor detail, 8cm of XPS insulation is placed on top of the concrete slab.
For the purposes of certification, a standard passive house window (Uw = 1,00 W/m²K with Ug = 0,90 W/m²K) was used. The overall U-value of the installed window of standard size (1,23 m wide by 1,48 m tall) should be no more than 0,05 W/m²K greater than the Uw to ensure occupant comfort – this criteria is met in this instance.
Airtightness of the system is achieved in the following way: windows and doors are taped with Iso-Connect Inside Blue Line airtight tapes. The airtight layer of the wall and floor slab is the reinforced concrete layer. In the roof, the airtight layer is the hollow-core slab. Joints between panels and connections with other building elements are sealed with Sikaflex 11-FC elastomeric sealant and painted with Soudal Soudatight SP airtight paint.
The Passive House Institute has defined international component criteria for seven climate zones based on hygiene, comfort and affordability criteria. In principle, components which have been certified for climate zones with higher requirements may also be used in climates with less stringent requirements. Their use might make economic sense in certain circumstances.
Check out the Arctic Wall system on the Passivhaus Component database. Many thanks to Soraya Lopez from the Passive House Institute for her considerable efforts to complete the certification process on time.
