Monument protection and energy efficiency under a single roof
The listed Schachner building which shapes the idyllic townscape of Bad Reichenhall, Germany, presented a particular challenge to planners and tradesmen alike. The building, which used to serve as a hospital, was to be completely renovated in line with modern standards and developed into an old people’s home. It was almost taken for granted that heat and hot water should be provided by renewable energies.
Yet given the usually low supply temperatures with these energy sources, heat distribution had to be achieved via a radiant heating and cooling system. However, monument protection rules apply to the facade and large parts of the inside of the building, including the flooring. As such, insulation from the outside and the installation of underfloor heating were ruled out from the word go. An exceptional degree of planning and creative expertise was therefore necessary from the construction professionals, not least given the tight construction schedule of two years for the building measuring 110 m in length and 30 m in depth with 27,000 m³ of building volume.
100-mm-thick insulation made of non-flammable mineral wool was applied to the outer walls from the inside. Instead of laying surface heating in the floor, the planners opted for heat distribution on the walls. The Fonterra Side radiant heating and cooling system which was designed specifically for such applications was installed on the outside walls. The pre-assembled dry construction system corresponds perfectly with the inside wall insulation and, thanks to the large-format plaster boards with integrated 12x1.3 mm polybutene pipes, installation is also extremely rational.
However, there was another crucial advantage which made this system the obvious choice: Since the surface area of the outside walls was not sufficient to cover the heat load with a maximum supply temperature of 38°C, a combination with a further "wet" surface heating system was required on numerous inside walls. Fonterra Side Clip offered a perfectly tailored solution which meant that the entire heat distribution system came from a single source – a major plus for installation.