Kingspan Insulation developed a customised building insulation system to overcome tough design challenges at the Perth Arena.
Completed in November 2012, Perth Arena is an individualistic public building featuring a unique set of design and engineering elements. Standing about 50 metres high, the arena is a multipurpose centre built to host sporting, theatrical and musical events for up to 15,000 guests.
Minimising the risk of condensation, and achieving high thermal efficiency (R-value of RT 2.7) were the two primary insulation-related considerations for Kingspan Insulation.
Kingspan Insulation’s State Manager WA Craig Burr explains that the Perth Arena is a large steel structure with a unique construction, leading to challenges in relation to condensation and the high R-values that were required within the building systems.
Approximately 7,200 tonnes of steel were used in the arena’s construction. When there is a large temperature differential between structural steel and ambient air, unwanted condensation can form. According to Craig, there was a concern about ‘cold bridging’, or the effect that steel would have with the high insulation barrier.
After analysing the building’s physical and geographical characteristics, as well as the behaviour of all relevant associated wall materials, Kingspan was able to provide a solution to the threat of condensation without sacrificing thermal performance.
Kingspan’s solution involved a full-layer wall system promoting passive vapour expulsion. Approximately 17,000m² of Kingspan Kooltherm K12 Framing Board rigid insulation panels were used for the solution designed to solve the condensation problem while safeguarding energy efficiency.
