Gliding to New Heights Using Spray Insulations

Gliding to new heights using Spray Insulations

Our network of expert Foam Masters is busy across the UK and Ireland installing eco-friendly, BASF, spray foam insulation. Whether it’s an open or closed-cell foam, that’s being sprayed or injected, the benefits of both are clear and bountiful for our clients.  But sometimes the exact reason for an install can come as a bit of a surprise.

Glider Workshop

Recently one of the Foam Masters in our network, Spray Insulations, installed closed-cell foam to the interior roof and walls of a large, prefabricated barn in Essex. The space is being re-purposed as a  glider workshop, where non-motorised aircraft, can be repaired and serviced.

Adventure Sport of Gliding

Gliding may seem like a niche adventure sport but The British Gliding Association, the governing body for gliding in the United Kingdom, operates over 80 civilian and service gliding clubs in the UK. There are over 2,300 glider aircraft and almost 9500 full flying members. It’s becoming increasingly popular as it is a relatively inexpensive way to get in the air compared to powered aircraft.

Engineless Flight of Gliding

Like birds, pilots use gliders to harness the power of rising air currents, known as lift, to soar to great heights and travel long distances at an average speed of 100 miles per hour. Engineless flight distances have been known to exceed 1000km and reach altitudes of 3000 feet. As pilots are largely reliant on the responsiveness of their aerodynamically designed aircraft to stay airborne, maintaining a glider regularly is critical.

Airworthiness

Owners of gliders are required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to have a Self-Declared Maintenance Programme (SDMP). This requirement allows owners to develop and tailor a maintenance management programme for the glider that they are legally responsible for. Without an SDMP an Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) can’t be issued, and the aircraft will be grounded.

Gliding Wingspan

Gliders consist of three main parts: a wing, a tail and a fuselage. Wingspan alone can range from 15-20 metres, so a glider workshop obviously requires a large space to service and store aircraft that owners have been booked in. Creating a comfortable, warm and dry space in such a large expanse can prove challenging and a disruptive and expensive enterprise. But it’s essential to protect the contents and create a pleasant working environment.

Airtight Insulation System

Thankfully BASF, the World’s largest producer of chemicals, has developed Elastospray LWP. This closed-cell spray foam is used across many different sectors. It is a popular insulation and anti-condensation system for commercial and agricultural buildings where contents need to be protected or preserved. With a breathable system, closed-cell foam helps create a temperature-moderated environment that helps eliminate condensation. It’s fast and easy to apply with no waste, minimum fuss and maximum impact. With its low thermal conductivity, it’s a superb, seamless airtight insulation system. Fully certified, it also produces no VOCs, CFCs, formaldehyde, so you know it’s environmentally sound.

Composite Substrate

Spray Insulations applied Elastospray LWP foam to the underside of the building’s fibre and cement cladding to form a composite substrate, eliminating small leaks. All joins along the length of the eaves, verge and ridge of the building were sealed, also helping soundproof the workshop. Initially applied as an adhesive priming coat, subsequent layers of the creamy, closed-cell foam then glided on to build up to the required thickness of 50 mm.

New Heights

The outcome? A fully insulated and dry space that will allow pilots of serviced and repaired gliders to safely soar to new heights!

Further Information

You can find out more about Spray Insulations by reading our recent Foam Master Spotlight on them here.

If you require help on your insulation project, whatever your challenge, ECON polyurethanes would be delighted to assist you. Simply complete our project contact form.