Handling & Storage

Installation should be in accordance with AS 3999:2015, Section 4 – Safety Requirements for Insulation Installation.

Storage
The packaging of Kingspan Kooltherm should not be considered adequate for outdoor protection. Boards should be stored inside a building. If, however, temporary outdoor storage cannot be avoided then the boards should be stacked flat on a level base, clear of the ground, and completely protected from inclement weather through use of a polythene sheet or weatherproof tarpaulin. Boards that have been allowed to get wet should not be used.

Resistance to Solvents
The insulation core is resistant to short-term contact with petrol and with most dilute acids, alkalis and mineral oils. However, it is recommended that any spills be cleaned off fully before the boards are installed. Ensure that safe methods of cleaning are used, as recommended by suppliers of the spilt liquid. The insulation core is not resistant to some solvent-based adhesive systems, particularly those containing methyl ethyl ketone. Adhesives containing such solvents should not be used in association with this product. Damaged boards or boards that have been in contact with harsh solvents or acids should not be used.

OH&S
Kingspan Insulation products are chemically inert and safe to use. A Product Safety Information Sheet is available from Kingspan Insulation Pty Ltd.

Please note that the reflective surfaces on this product are designed to enhance their thermal performance. As such, the will reflect light as well as heat, including ultraviolet light. Therefore, if these boards are being installed during bright or sunny weather, it is advisable to wear UV protective sunglasses or goggles and if the skin is exposed for a significant period of time, protect bare skin with a UV block sun cream.

Installation must be in accordance with AS 3999 Bulk Thermal Insulation Installation and AS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules).

Cutting

Cutting should be carried out either by using a fine toothed saw, or by scoring with a sharp knife, snapping the board over a straight edge and then cutting the facing on the other side. Ensure accurate trimming to achieve close-butting joints and continuity of insulation.

Solid Concrete Ground Based Floors – Insulation below the Floor Slab

Compressive Loads
Un–reinforced floor screeds can be used in conjunction with Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard in most applications. However, where floor loads are to be excessive, please contact our Technical Services Department on 1300 247 235 or email technical@kingspaninsulation.com.au.

Substrate
Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard is not recommended for use in direct contact with subsoil and must be used over a DPM. Where vertical slab edge insulation is required, the DPM should always be placed on the external face of the Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard.

Wheeled / Foot Traffic
Ensure boards are protected during installation from wheeled / foot traffic by using scaffold planks or other protective measures.

Installation Instructions

• The site should be prepared and foundations, where appropriate, built to damp proof course (DPC) level.
• A thin sand blinding may be used to achieve a continuous level surface free from projections over rolled aggregate.
• The damp proof membrane (minimum 300 micron / 1200 gauge polythene) should be laid with joints well lapped and folded, to prevent the passage of ground water, over well compacted aggregate, prior to laying Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard.
• The membrane should be brought up the surrounding foundation walls/slab until it is sufficiently above the height of the wall DPC so that it will connect with or form the DPC.
• Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard should not be placed under any direct point loads or foundations including slab thickening.
• The insulation boards should always be loose–laid break– bonded, with joints lightly butted.
• If two layers of Kingspan Kooltherm K3 Floorboard are required, they should be horizontally offset relative to each other so that, as far as possible, the board joints in the two adjacent layers do not coincide with each other. To avoid glare, lay with the foil face facing down.
• Insulation boards should be overlaid with a polythene sheet (not less than 125 micron / 500 gauge) as best practice, to prevent the wet concrete penetrating the joints between the boards, and to act as a vapour control layer. Ensure the polythene sheet has 150 mm overlaps, taped at the joints.
• The subsequent installation of the concrete slab and screed or other flooring material is carried out in a manner similar to that for an un–insulated floor. The concrete slab and screed should be allowed to dry out prior to the installation of the floor finish.