How to ensure the quality of ETICS?

Examples of what EAE members do to ensure durability and

reliability of thermal insulation systems.

QUALICHeCK workshop on 15 December 2016

Brussels, Belgium

Ralf Pasker, Managing Director

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 1

 External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems
(ETICS) consist of

1. Adhesive
2. Thermal insulation material
3. Anchors
4. Base coat
5. Reinforcement, glass fibre or metal mesh
6. Finishing layer: finishing coat with a key coat
(optional) and/or a decorative coat
(optional)
7. Accessories, e.g. fabricated corner beads,
connection and edge profiles, expansion
joint profiles, base profiles, etc.

The performance of ETICS depends on the choice

of components, assessed by system holders.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 2

 Quality of ETICS
Quality of the system

Quality of Quality of Quality of Quality of

planning components execution maintenance

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 3

 System loyalty is essential

“Selection of components and consideration

of their interaction is essential for long-term
function and durability”
Georg Pommer, testing, inspection and
certification body of City of Vienna/Austria

“This approach helps to avoid problems

caused by building physics and to reduce the
risk of failures early in the design stage”
Luc Dedeyne, architect, bcba BENERGIE
Architectuur en Energie, Torhout/Belgium

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 4

 The system is the construction product “ETICS”

“2. ‘kit’ means a construction product placed on the market by a single

manufacturer as a set of at least two separate components that need to be put
together to be incorporated in the construction works”
Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the
Council (CPR)

It shall be checked carefully on site if

• system components have been delivered by one system holder
• Comply with the configurations as foreseen by the system holder (e.g.
see Declaration of Performance/ETA)

• Only then the performance and durability of an ETICS as given in the DoP
(Declaration of Performance) can be guaranteed!
• Costly repairs or even total reconstruction of systems are often consequences
of mixing individual system components from different suppliers.
QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 5
 Certificate of the applied kit

EAE members recommend to fill a certificate of

the applied ETICS. It indicates

• which system components have been finally

installed on site;

• that these components comply with the

system holders documentation for the
intended use.

It shall be signed by the installer after the

assembly has been completed and should be
handed over to the investor.

German approvals already demand such

documentation for many years now.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 6

 Quality of planning and design

EAE’s European Application Guideline for

ETICS
• First European guidance paper taking care
of design details, e.g. joints, fire barriers,
etc.
• Meanwhile translated to different
European languages.
• Considering specific requirements
(legislation) of Member States.
• Used as basic document for trainings of
planners, designers, and applicators.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 7

 Content

• Checklists, detail drawings, general advice

• Download: http://www.ea-etics.eu/content/pictures/home/ETICS.pdf

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 8

 Experience with EAE Application Guideline

• Significantly helped to improve the quality of works especially

in developing markets.

• Sharing the experience of mature markets helps to prevent

“typical” mistakes.

• Highly requested by new EAE members.

• Well recognized and translated in China and Japan (EAE liaison

partner associations).

Training and education are key to create reliable results

together with system holders, designers, and applicators.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 9

 One step further: certification schemes in Member States

Austria:
• Training scheme elaborated by Austrian ETICS association Qualitätsgruppe
Wärmedämmsysteme, construction academies and WIEN-Zert.
• Basic document: Austrian Application Guideline.
• Duration of basic seminar: 40 h
• Refreshment seminar every 3 years.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 10

 One step further: certification schemes in Member States

Germany:
• Quality group founded in 1996 by members of the German painters’ association.
• Basic principles: permanent training, third party controls of the construction works.
• Guidance document elaborated by quality circle, with participation of the German
ETICS association Fachverband WDVS.
• Certified applicators may use the quality sign.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 11

 One step further: certification schemes in Member States

Germany:
• Quality guidelines to ensure reliable quality of
insulation products to be used in ETICS established by
the German ETICS association Fachverband WDVS in
collaboration with insulation products’ associations.
• Originally elaborated for EPS and MW, nowadays also
available for PU. Others will follow.
• To be used for bilateral contracts between system
holder and insulation manufacturer.
• Third-party inspections on voluntary base.
• To be adapted at EAE level (currently under
discussion).

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 One step further: certification schemes in Member States

Italy:
• Lectures about ETICS at Florence University.
• Webinars on specific topics attract hundreds of participants per year.
• Basic document: CORTEXA’s Application Guideline.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 13

 Conclusions

• Common guidance papers for design and application useful to

improve the knowledge about appropriate use of ETICS.
• Certification schemes for both applicators and system components
may further support efforts.
• Finally, quality, performance, durability, and reliability of ETICS
require a broad quality approach – and joint efforts of industry,
designers/architects and applicators.

Efforts finally pay off:

• If applied correctly the life-cycle of an ETICS is regarded to be equal to
rendered facades (approved by long-term field-tests; Fraunhofer IBP).
• Only if building owners trust in the long-term performance of External
Thermal Insulation Composite Systems they will invest in energy
efficient buildings envelopes.

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 14

 ! Thank you for your attention!

QUALICHeCK workshop ● Quality of ETICS  2016-12-15 ● Brussels/BE ● Ralf Pasker 15

The sole responsibility for the content of this presentation lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the
information contained therein.