Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
US: Installed Building Products (IBP) recorded a net income of US$41.3m in the first half of 2020, up by 49% year-on-year from US$27.8m in the first half of 2019. Sales were US$791m, up by 11% from US$714m. Chair and chief executive officer (CEO) Jeff Edwards said, “These record results demonstrate the success of our on-going geographic, end-market, and end-product diversification strategies, the benefits of our pricing strategies, and the hard work and dedication of our employees.”
The installer of insulation and complementary building products has also recently acquired Charleston Insulation and Foam and Savannah Insulation and Foam from Energy One America. Both companies provide foam, glass fibre and air barrier insulation installation services. Edwards said, “With total annual revenue of approximately US$22m, these branches expand our presence in two attractive markets. In addition, each branch provides multiple installation services, and end market diversification that fits extremely well within our overall growth strategy.”
UAE: Michel Francis, chief architect at DEC consultants, has recommended that ‘intensive’ inspections, including checking that insulation is properly installed, could help to prevent the spread of fire in high-rise buildings in Dubai. He pointed out that a fire could propagate rapidly if there were gaps between fire-resistant mineral–based insulation. Francis’ comments at the Windows, Doors and Facades Forum in Dubai were covered by the National newspaper.
"An inspector must look for these holes, see how the mineral wool is installed, the fixtures used, check for any intricate gaps between the intersection of slabs. An expert auditor would look to see if there are any loopholes. These locations and intersections, if well treated, will prevent the jumping of fire from one floor to the other and the whole facade catching fire. Fire containment would be much easier," said Francis.
New provisions in the local Fire and Life Safety code are due to be released later in 2016 requiring owners to renew a no-objection certificate annually after inspections to ensure all modifications are fire-safe. The changes in the regulations follow a string of fires in high-rise buildings in the city in the last few years.
