Fire Performance.
Durability is crucial for the whole-life environment of a product and the building in which it is used. Rockwool stone wool is manufactured primarily from stone and therefore cannot burn. Rockwool stone wool can withstand more than 1000ºc, is a class A1 dimensionally stable non combustible material and acts as a vital fire barrier preventing further spread of fire, allowing for safe exit in the event of fire.

Environment and Sustainability.
The key environmental impact of Rockwool insulation is its ability to conserve non-renewable fossil energy and reduce air pollution as a result. It is one of the few industrial products that actually improve the environment.

Life Cycle Assessments are an important tool in documenting the green profile of products. One such LCA, made by dk-Teknik for the EU commission’s eco-labelling programme, demonstrates that it takes less primary energy to produce one insulation unit of Rockwool stone wool than to produce other common insulation materials.

Over the lifespan of its use, the saving in greenhouse gases are several hundred times reduced than the emissions associated with producing the Rockwool product. The ratio of environmental savings, depending upon geographical location, is usually between 400 and 800.

As Rockwool is manufactured from naturally replenishing volcanic rock, this unique production process will be sustainable for countless generations to come.

Recycling and reusing materials.
Rockwool insulation can be disposed of as landfill where it will return to the ground or may be recycled at end of life without any environmental impact.

Physical properties.
The physical properties of Rockwool insulation are derived from its structure and its unique chemical composition. Rockwool insulation is made up of a complex mat of strands of rock that entrap air, restricting the flow of heat across the structure. Rockwoool is manufactured using a state of the art production process that does not use, and has never used, harmful gases such as CFCs, HCFCs or any blowing agents that have Ozone Depleting Potential. Rockwool simply uses fresh air. The individual characteristic of each Rockwool sheet is determined by the dimensions, density, fibre orientation and the amount of binder used to form the bond between fibres but all exhibit exceptional thermal, fire and acoustic properties.

Indoor Air Quality.
Not only does Rockwool insulation provide significant environmental benefits, but it can also improve the safety and quality of the indoor, built environment. Rockwool insulation reduces the risk of warm, humid air condensing on cold poorly insulated surfaces. Condensation can provide the damp conditions that allow moulds and fungi to grow, toxins from which can provoke allergic reactions.

Noise Pollution.
Noise pollution is increasingly recognised as a source of misery to many people in our society, provoking stress, loss of concentration, productivity and well-being and in a worse case scenario can lead to loss of hearing capacity. Rockwool stone wool can absorb and regulate noise and help provide environments that allow normal conversation.

Health And Safety.
The safety of Rockwool mineral wool insulation is confirmed by EU health and safety legislation. The conclusion that Rockwool products are safe follows unprecedented worldwide research rigorously examined by independent experts and is further supported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

A unique feature of Rockwool fibres is that they are bio-soluble – any fibres that are possibly inhaled are soluble in the human body, but are not sensitive in this respect to humidity or other liquids outside the body.

European Legislation.
Rockwool mineral wool fulfils the requirements of tests specified in the current addition of the Approved Supply List of UK HSE ‘CHIP’ Regulations and European Directive 97/69/EC and is not classified as a possible human carcinogen. It is not necessary to further classify Rockwool fibres under EU regulations.

IARC Classification.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer – part of the World Health Organisation – removed mineral wool fibres from its list of possible carcinogens, reflecting the increase in scientific knowledge and the establishment of the safety of mineral wool for workers and building occupiers.

Deleterious materials clauses.
The use of mineral wool insulation that fulfils the requirements of tests specified in European Directive 97/69/EC and the Approved Supply List of current HSE CHIP Regulations allow the specifier to meet the intention of deleterious materials clauses without in any way compromising the performance of the insulation.

Concerning typical clauses within Design Warranties, Rockwool Ltd., considers that Rockwool products are not excluded from use because;Rockwool products are not generally composed of fibres.