Cool-lite IR - Heat Reduction Roofing

Overview

Cool-lite IR controls heat and saves on energy costs. With the sky-rocketing cost of energy production, today’s buildings call for energy-efficient designs. Allowing high levels of natural light into buildings can reduce energy costs associated with artificial lighting; however, this natural light can then lead to rapid interior heat build-up due to the penetration of solar heat from the sun, actually raising energy costs from the need to cool the building. Cool-lite IR is premium grade sheeting with the same highly UV-resistant gel-coated surface as Ampelite Wonderglas S-996 (formerly called Wonderglas GC). Cool-lite IR filters out 99% of harmful ultraviolet radiation but allows a high level of visible light. At the same time, it reflects out a large percentage of infra-red waves, reducing heat so your building stays cooler. Now you can turn the most powerful light source in the universe into the most effective low cost, low temperature workplace lighting. The full test reports are available from Ampelite (NZ) Limited.

Coolite IR now uses Ampelite’s Proprietary SL Group 3 “Bromine Free” Fire Retardant Resin System

Coolite IR manufactured in New Zealand after the 15 October 2020 will now use Ampelite’s proprietary Group 3 Bromine Free’ fire retardant resin system that is currently used to manufacture our SL sheeting products.

Surface Finish Properties have been tested to ISO 5660 and achieved a group number 3 performance in accordance with NZBC Verification Method C/VM2 Appendix

Superior Features of Cool-lite IR

• Light transmission is maintained. Loss of light transmission after 10 years is just 10%, compared to a loss of 30% for standard surface film protected fibreglass sheeting. Cool-lite IR has a highly UV-resistant gel coat of 100 microns.
• Very high resistance to yellowing and discolouration. Over 10 years, changes are negligible and are covered by warranty. Only minor changes may occur in later years.
• Surface erosion (fibre show) is eliminated. It is covered by warranty for 25 years.
• Low surface erosion. This also improves weathering properties. The 100 micron gel-coated surface provides an impenetrable barrier and the sheet is warranted against water penetration for 25 years. Inbuilt UV protection eliminates 99% of harmful UV Rays.

Cool-lite IR features a 25-year warranty

For full warranty details, please download a copy of the Coolite IR brochure or contact your nearest Ampelite office.

What you need to know about light

We see things every day, from the moment we get up in the morning until we go to sleep at night. We look at everything around us using visible light. Visible light waves are the only part of the light spectrum that we can see and form a very small portion of what is called the electromagnetic spectrum. The three parts of the electromagnetic spectrum of interest to us are the ultraviolet rays that are harmful to our skin, the visible light waves, and the infrared waves or thermal waves, which carry a large percentage of the sun’s heat.

• ULTRA VIOLET WAVES: There are three types of ultraviolet: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UV-A causes skin ageing, wrinkles, and can also damage outdoor plastics and paint. UV-B is the most harmful to us and other life forms. UV-B causes sunburn and skin cancer, and also reduces the growth of plants. UV-C, which is even stronger than UV-B, never reaches the earth's surface because it is filtered out by the atmosphere.
• VISIBLE LIGHT WAVES: We see visible light waves as the colours of the rainbow. Each colour has a different wavelength. Red has the longest wavelength and violet has the shortest wavelength. When all the waves are seen together, they make white light. Cones in our eyes are the receivers for these tiny visible light waves. The sun is a natural source for visible light waves and our eyes see the reflection of this sunlight off the objects around us.
• INFRA-RED WAVES: Infra-red waves are thermal. In other words, we experience this type of infra-red radiation every day in the form of heat - the heat that we feel from sunlight, which is the solar energy from the sun being transmitted by the infra-red waves.

How Cool-lite IR works

Cool-lite IR filters out 99% of harmful ultraviolet radiation and allows a high level of the visible light spectrum to be transmitted into your building so colours appear brighter and clearer, while at the same time reflecting out a large percentage of the infra-red waves, reducing heat so your building stays cooler.

Selectivity Index

The ability of sheeting to select between light and heat can be measured by dividing the Total Visible Light Transmission by the Total Solar Transmission; this is called the Selectivity Index. The chart below shows the difference in the Selectivity Index for the two grades of Cool-lite IR when compared to Clear and Opal sheets. As you can see, Cool-lite IR IV is 28% more selective than normal clear sheeting and Cool-lite IR VIII is 36% more selective than Opal.

Cool-lite IR IV is recommended for factories and warehouses where a high level of light transmission is required and would be used instead of Clear sheeting, whereas Cool-lite IR VIII is recommended where lower heat levels are needed and would replace Opal sheeting.

Energy savings benefits can now be calculated against your building design

Ampelite can supply scientific testing conducted by Vipac Engineers and Scientists Ltd. NATA-approved laboratory that proves the effectiveness of Cool-lite IR sheeting in providing high levels of visible light while controlling heat transmission. This actuate test information can be used to help you model your expected energy usage. Shading and heat transfer co-efficient information can be used along with building design, climate and heating/cooling equipment. Ampelite has developed a calculation tool to estimate energy savings as a function of several of those variables. Please contact your local Ampelite sales office for potential savings for your project.

For Light and Heat transmission of Series 2400, 3050, 3660, 4270, 4880, please contact your local Ampelite office.

Available Profiles & Spanning Capacity

All current profiles such as Corrugated, 5 Rib, LT7, BB900, etc. plus most superseded profiles are available.Please download our list of popular profiles.

For information regarding recommended spans in high wind and cyclonic regions, please contact your local Ampelite office.

Accessories

Ampelite have a large range of accessories available to help make the installation of Cool-lite IR fast and professional. These accessories include a range of self-drilling screws that oversize the fastener holes as they pass through the sheet, and self-adhesive tapes and profiled form-filler strips for vermin protection. Please download our Accessories and Fixings pdf

Correct installation is important

Ampelite sheeting shall be installed in accordance with Ampelite fixing instructions and with AS/NZS 1562.3:1996, Design and installation of sheet roof and wall cladding, Part 3: Plastic, the requirements of the NZ Building Code and the NZ Metal Roofing Manufacturers’ Association’s Code of Practice. For full installation details, please download a copy of our installation guide.

Please note these additional important requirements:

• Ampelite translucent sheeting matching positive fixed profiles shall be installed using the fastening length applicable to the main cladding, together with a metal profile washer and EDPM seal. This combination gives a secure and weather-tight finish. The fixing screws should not be over-tightened to the extent that the sheet buckles, allowing water penetration at the seal or sheet overlap.
• Fixing should be made at every crest at both ends of the sheet, and at every second crest at intermediate purlins.
• Where Ampelite fibreglass sheeting is in contact with safety mesh, an Ampelite purlin protection strip must be installed over the safety mesh, to avoid fracturing of the underside of the sheet.
• Where end-lapping of the sheet is required, a minimum of 300mm overlap is essential. Ampelite recommends the use of 25mm Lap Seal Tape at the top and bottom edges of the purlin. This ensures the strips are concealed. For decking profiles, two continuous beads of a clear non-hardening sealer (i.e. silicone), must be applied across the full width of the decking within the overlap.
• IMPORTANT: Ampelite sheeting should be installed by pre-drilling oversize holes to allow for expansion and contraction. The basic calculation is 0.75mm per lin. /m, plus shank diameter of screw. Do not over-tighten screws. EXAMPLE: 10m sheet - 10 (m) x 0.75 (mm) + 4mm (fastener) = 11.5 mm pre-drilled hole.
• CLIP-FIXED DECKING: Ampelite sheeting matching clip-fixed deck profiles shall be installed in conjunction with the main cladding and should be side-lapped with overlaps on both sides (Ampelite sheets have two female laps). Fixing of sheets should be carried out in the same manner and practice as those stated for positive fixed-profile roofing.
• WALL CLADDING: Pan-fixing is required at each girt, and the use of Ampelite grey dome 22mm weather seals ensures a weather-tight seal. Over-tightening or flattening the weather seal must be avoided. Fixing shall occur in every pan at both ends of the sheeting, and at every other pan at intermediate girts.
• CYCLONE ZONE INSTALLATION: Installation in cyclone-prone areas follows the recommendations and code for normal fixing, but further specific requirements must be met. Please contact your local Ampelite office for the latest information.

Handling, Storage, and Disposal

Cool-lite IR industrial fibreglass sheeting is a non-trafficable roofing material. The sheeting should always be stored in a dry and fire-safe area and handled with care to avoid damage to the surface coating, as warranties will not apply to sheeting that has been damaged in handling or has mechanical damage as a result of foot traffic.

Fibreglass sheeting is not recyclable and should be disposed of in a landfill. Do not incinerate fibreglass off-cuts as burning produces acrid smoke and noxious, toxic fumes.

Safety Data

There are no ill effects from handling Ampelite fibreglass sheets as a finished product. Some exposure to airborne particles occurs on drilling, cutting, and trimming of the material. Although there are no known cases of harmful effects, even after long term exposure, it is recommended to take certain precautionary steps:

• Eye contact: Can cause irritation. Appropriate eye protection should be worn. If irritation occurs due to exposure to dust particles, wash eyes with running water using an eye bath or wash bottle. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.
• Skin contact: Can cause irritation. Shower thoroughly using soap and a cloth or sponge.
• Inhalation: Dust masks are recommended, although particles are not respirable.
• Ingestion: Non-toxic. Extensive studies have revealed no serious effects.