Technical Topics

In this feature we explore the current status of Government funding both in the UK and Ireland available to householders to upgrade their homes with energy…

Maintaining excellent indoor air quality is essential for comfort, energy efficiency and overall building health. When it comes to ventilation, building managers and homeowners have two…

IntroductionWe continue our focus on ventilation by turning our attention to the healthcare sector and specific considerations for building designers, facilities managers and other stakeholders when…

Our second ventilation feature focuses on ventilation retrofit in the education sector and the importance of air quality in the learning environment. The basic principle is…

Ventilation is the process of air exchange between the inside and outside of a space; stale air and moisture is removed from the inside of a…

In the push towards achieving sustainability and energy efficiency goals, retrofitting traditional buildings has become a priority. However, one of the most pervasive and overlooked challenges…

Considering that the UK and Irish governments are committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, energy-efficient retrofitting of existing buildings is an absolute must!Retrofitting existing buildings…

As the global focus intensifies on energy efficiency and sustainability, retrofitting existing buildings has emerged as a key strategy for reducing carbon footprints and improving the…

Fire safety is a top priority in building construction, especially concerning building envelopes and membranes. These materials are vital for the structural integrity, energy efficiency, and…

A growing number of low-energy building projects are opting for offsite construction methods, underscoring the significance of environmentally friendly technology. The key to constructing long-lasting structures…

A more environmentally friendly future depends on careful material selection, a crucial aspect as the construction industry shifts towards sustainability. Partel’s dedication to innovative building solutions…

In a recent exploration of the Irish government’s latest publication, ‘Improving Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings – Guidance for Specifiers and Installers,’ Dara, our Director in…

The UK and Ireland are both aiming to reduce their carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.  Buildings are a major source of emissions in both…

Along with insulation, airtightness is one of the most critical factors for energy efficiency in buildings. One study found unwanted air leakage to be responsible for…

Energy efficiency targets for new homes are getting tougher all the time. Ireland’s nearly zero energy building standard (NZEB) requires that new homes be at least…

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 upended perceptions of fire safety in high-rise buildings. The inquiry into the blaze found that the building’s aluminium composite…

Last year, England and Wales both introduced new building regulations that tightened the limiting air permeability for new buildings from 10 m3/hr.m2 to 8 m3/hr.m2, along with other key changes to how airtightness is regulated.

An airtight membrane is one of the most critical components in any passive house or other high-performance building. It helps to prevent heat loss and draughts,…