Promoting energy efficiency

Rubb’s Thermohall fabric can be used to clad many Rubb structure types, from small standard shelters up to large scale multi-span aircraft hangars. The fabric provides many benefits to help promote energy efficiency.

Thermohall cladding consists of a durable external PVC layer and a self cleaning internal PVC layer, which encapsulate a series of air tight PVC ‘pockets’, each featuring a non-combustible glass wool insulation core. The insulated panel system provides a full vapour seal, which minimises thermal bridging and reduces infiltration losses. This reduces condensation on framing members, improving insulation efficiency.

The cladding is highly resistant to tearing, stretching and movement under load – even in very harsh weather conditions. It is securely fastened to the outside of a galvanized steel support structure and virtually eliminates thermal bridging and air infiltration. These features, together with our use of special high density insulation, mean that Thermohall structures typically out performs other systems that have higher insulation thickness but lower overall effective thermal resistance.

Rubb's Thermohall is said to offer these advantages over other insulating systems:

• High quality, heavy duty, durable PVC fabric.

• Non-combustible glass wool insulation, encapsulated in air and water tight pockets.

• Insulation depth from 50mm to 200mm.

• Thermohall cladding provides different levels of insulation U-Values from 0.67 W/m2k to 0.19 W/m2k.

• No thermal bridges or air gaps in the cladding, which reduces heat loss and helps eliminate condensation.

• Vacuum packaging reduces shipment volumes.

• Factory pre-fabrication offers significant labour savings on site and greatly reduces installation time.

• Buildings are fully relocatable and reusable.

Rubb Thermohall structures combine the best properties of conventional buildings and fabric buildings – high thermal insulation, full relocatability, and all Thermohall buildings can be delivered to suit the customer’s insulation requirements.

Thermohall offers various insulation types to suit your project. The depth of insulated cladding ranges from 50mm to 200mm. Rubb can also provide various heat sources within the structure such as oil or gas fired hot air units, radiant heating, heat pump or electric fan heaters.

Thermohall features high density non combustible glass wool insulation encapsulated within a heavy duty PVC fabric cladding system which is designed and manufactured in-house to suit site specific project requirements. All materials are of the highest quality and meet regulations.

Rubb buildings offer significant fire safety advantages over other building types, including lower risk of combustion, flashover and structural failure, even in severe fires. The fabric will not propagate flame or sustain combustion when exposed to a severe fire.

Thermohall has excellent drainage properties, is water repellent and does not absorb moisture or odours. It helps eliminate condensation. We deliver our Thermohalls with simple or sophisticated ventilation systems to provide a comfortable working environment.

Technical regulations and guidelines set standards for sound insulation. Our patented insulated fabric cladding system satisfies the requirements for sound passage, which is essential for our customers who are located in industrial areas or near roads or airports.

The insulation consists mainly of recycled glass. Thermohall cladding can provide many environmental benefits including reduced energy use and helping support a stable indoor temperature all year round. Rubb structures are also fully reusable across the sectors we serve.

All materials used to create a Rubb building can be recycled if necessary. No materials from Rubb structures are considered to create any toxic or hazardous waste. Steel can be recycled through various means and PVC can be recycled through Texyloop processes.

Case Study: Insulated hangar, easyJet, Gatwick

Rubb provided a twin span hangar measuring 91.5m wide x 60m long. The structure measures 9.2m to the eaves and 16.8m to apex of each span. Each front gable measures 45.7m wide and features a 41m wide x 13.5m vertical lifting fabric door.

The hot dip galvanized steel frame is clad with 150mm thick Thermohall insulated fabric, providing a U Value of 0.25 W/m2K. The process included fitting 8,700 sq m of PVC membrane. This structure is located at Gatwick Airport, near London, UK. The facility provides 5200 sq m of usable working floor space. A full LED lighting system, ventilation system and LPG heating system has also been installed. 

To complete the build, two sets of vertical lifting ‘Megadoor’ hangar doors were fitted to allow access to the two-bay facility. The hangar is complimented by a 550 sq m external logistics and office building.