Knowledge Base

BREEAM

Supporting More Sustainable Building Specifications

BREEAM – the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – is one of the world's leading methods for assessing the sustainability and environmental performance of buildings.

BREEAM considers a wide range of factors throughout the design, construction and operation of a building, including energy, water, health and wellbeing, materials, waste, pollution, transport, ecology and management.

For construction products such as adhesives, sealants and coatings, the selection of materials with low emissions and appropriate environmental credentials can form an important part of a project's wider BREEAM strategy.

At Star Uretech, environmental performance has been an important consideration in the development of both our StarFix and StarFix ZERO product ranges.

BREEAM & Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is an important consideration within BREEAM.

Construction products applied inside a building can contribute to emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other substances during and following installation. BREEAM therefore includes criteria designed to encourage the specification of products that minimise emissions into the internal environment.

Depending upon the BREEAM scheme and project requirements, adhesives, sealants, coatings and other construction products may be assessed against recognised VOC emission standards.

Star Uretech can provide relevant technical information and supporting documentation for StarFix products to assist architects, consultants, contractors and BREEAM assessors when evaluating their suitability for a project.

StarFix

The StarFix range has been developed specifically for professional construction applications, with particular expertise in raised access flooring.

Products include pedestal adhesives, acoustic adhesives, tanking systems, sealers and associated installation products.

Selected StarFix products have been independently assessed for emissions and tested using recognised methods applicable to construction adhesives.

Where applicable, StarFix products have been tested in accordance with EN 13999, a recognised European test method for determining emissions of volatile organic compounds from adhesives after application.

Product-specific technical information and test documentation can be supplied where required to support a BREEAM assessment.

StarFix ZERO

Reduced Environmental Impact Without Compromising Performance

The StarFix ZERO range takes our approach to environmental performance further. StarFix ZERO products have been developed to reduce or eliminate many of the substances traditionally associated with solvent-based construction products while maintaining the performance required for professional installation.

A key feature of the range is our focus on ZERO VOC technology, helping minimise solvent emissions during application and reducing the potential contribution of the installed product to indoor air pollution.

This makes StarFix ZERO particularly suited to projects where indoor air quality, environmental performance and responsible material selection are important considerations.

The range includes:

StarFix PED-ZERO – pedestal adhesive
StarFix TANKING-ZERO – waterproofing and tanking membrane
StarFix SEAL-ZERO – subfloor sealer and dust suppressant
StarFix SOL-ZERO – low-impact cleaning solution

VOCs & Construction Products

Volatile Organic Compounds can be released from some adhesives, coatings, sealants and cleaning products during application and curing.

Reducing these emissions can provide benefits both during construction and after occupation, particularly within enclosed internal environments.

The StarFix ZERO range has been developed specifically to provide contractors and specifiers with alternatives to conventional solvent-containing technologies wherever practicable.

For projects pursuing BREEAM certification, this can assist project teams when considering the environmental and indoor-air-quality implications of the products selected for installation.

Indoor Air Comfort GOLD

Selected StarFix products have achieved Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification.

Indoor Air Comfort GOLD represents a particularly high level of assessment for product emissions and combines requirements from numerous European regulations, ecolabels and voluntary low-emission schemes.

This provides specifiers with independent supporting evidence regarding the emissions performance of qualifying StarFix products.

Please refer to our dedicated Indoor Air Comfort GOLD information or individual product documentation for details of the products covered.

Waste & Packaging

Environmental consideration extends beyond the material during application.

Many StarFix products are supplied in metal containers, which can be recycled through appropriate waste streams once empty and where any remaining material has been allowed to fully cure.

Fully cured polyurethane material is generally treated differently from uncured chemical waste. Any uncured product should always be handled and disposed of in accordance with the relevant Safety Data Sheet and applicable local waste regulations.

Contractors should always follow site-specific waste-management procedures.

Supporting Your BREEAM Assessment

Star Uretech can provide technical documentation to assist project teams evaluating StarFix products for use on BREEAM projects.

Depending upon the product, available information may include:

• Technical Data Sheets
• Safety Data Sheets
• VOC information
• Independent emissions testing
• Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification
• Product environmental declarations and supporting statements
• Application and installation guidance
• Packaging and disposal information

Our technical team can also assist architects, consultants, contractors and BREEAM assessors where additional product information is required.

Important BREEAM Guidance

BREEAM certification applies to the building or project as a whole – not simply to an individual product.

The use of a StarFix or StarFix ZERO product does not in itself guarantee that a particular BREEAM credit will be achieved.

The relevance of a product and the evidence required will depend upon the applicable BREEAM scheme, version, building type, application and project specification.

Project teams should therefore confirm requirements with their appointed BREEAM Assessor.

Star Uretech is happy to provide the product-specific technical information required to support this process.

StarFix + StarFix ZERO

Performance. Compliance. Responsible Product Development.

We believe better environmental performance should not require installers to compromise on the practical performance of the products they use.

The StarFix and StarFix ZERO ranges combine specialist construction chemistry with an increasing focus on low emissions, responsible material selection, safer working environments and reduced environmental impact.

For further information, supporting documentation or assistance with a BREEAM specification, please contact the Star Uretech technical team.