What is RAL installation of building furniture?
In early 1990s the German experts in construction industry began to intensively explore the potential for energy savings in construction and already built facilities, mainly due to high energy consumption and respective harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Among other things they were particularly focused on connections between the window frames and/or door frames and the structure. Such sites are a potential risk for formation of thermal bridges if they are not carried out properly. Depending on the physical effect of the buildings in their surrounding, the experts have found out the huge losses in these areas which may represent up to 25 percent in total value of heat losses for the building. Additionally, in these areas comes to mold growth inside of the joint due to thermal bridge and subsequent condensation and in severe cases even outside of the joint, on the structure or on the wall – reveal. In case of wooden windows this can lead to deterioration of windows. But in any case, it means an extremely harmful microclimate in the interior. Such type of mold is also very hazardous to the health of people, especially for young children, sick and elderly people.
Based on these analyses the experts have developed some kind of rules on how to properly carry out the installation of the external building furniture in order to avoid such unwanted complications. They applied the European guidelines EnEV as the basis, which were briefly named as “the RAL Guidelines” according to the Institute for quality assurance of goods and services. Also the former company Chemiefac, today operatating as pinta abdichtung gmbH, has followed the above mentioned guidelines and developed a variety of sealing components.
In case of installation according to the European guidelines EnEV or RAL we are talking about the sealing of joints in accordance with basic principle “inside tighter than outside” and the ten-times ratio of joint tightness in favour of interior. The sealing is in three stages and consists of inner vapour-proof barrier, external steam diffusion barrier and thermal and acoustic insulation in the functional part of the joint.
For successful implementation of such installation the planning is particularly important and should be done in the phase of project documentation preparation or at least when measuring the building furniture on the object. Not only sealing but also preparation of foundations and anchoring the window frames are equally important stages for the successful implementation of energy-saving insulation.
During this period Slovenia with its legislation slowly followed to European regulations and standards which define the energy-saving methods of installation of various building elements such as: Construction Act, Technical Guideline, EN SIST 14 351-1 etc. Regulation on efficient energy use in buildings (PURES) already requires the appropriate measures to improve thermal efficiency, but is not explicit for specific details and terms, which is often misleading for stakeholders. Regardless of naming: EnEV, RAL, O NORM B 5320,… the same objective is always followed in relation to the basic principle of sealing.
Given the importance of this issue, the company Madizajn Zg. Pirniče d.o.o. has been organizing theoretical and practical training for architects, designers, manufacturers and installers of building furniture for over 12 years and has also been awarding a Certificate since 2007 confirming that the stakeholders attended the training on modern and energy efficient installation of external building furniture in accordance with the European guidelines EnEV or RAL, with the systems supplied by the company.
This provides, in addition to general technical knowledge, also provides a competitive advantage, while making the investors get a sense of security regarding the use of appropriate systems.
The CONNECT and Madizajn Team
