When selecting components for industrial and commercial buildings, clear and accurate product information is essential. For specifiers and contractors, understanding the performance and compliance of every product is not just a preference, it’s a necessity for ensuring safety, efficiency and longevity. This is particularly true for crucial elements like rooflights.
What Are Factory Assembled Insulating Rooflights (FAIRs)?
FAIRs are prefabricated, multi-layered, insulated, rooflight units designed to seamlessly integrate with metal profiled composite panel roof systems. They provide natural daylight into buildings while maintaining thermal performance. Filon’s factory-controlled and sophisticated manufacturing process ensures a high level of quality control and consistency in every rooflight.
Each unit typically consists of multiple layers of GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) skins, which create an insulating cavity. The result is a robust rooflight that helps reduce a building’s energy consumption by minimising heat loss and reducing the need for artificial electric lights to be on, a key consideration for compliance with Building Regulations.
By manufacturing these units in a controlled environment, we can provide reliable products time and time again. This commitment to clarity ensures that when you specify a Filon FAIR, you have access to clear, accurate and unambiguous information about its thermal, structural and safety characteristics.
Key Benefits of Using FAIRs
Choosing Filon GRP FAIRs for your composite panel roofing project offers several distinct advantages over thermoplastic materials. These benefits relate to performance and long-term reliability.
Diffused Natural Light and Energy Efficiency
GRP is a naturally diffusing translucent material. Filon GRP FAIRs include a unique additional diffusing agent, ensuring even light distribution across the building with no hotspots and shadows (unlike clear thermoplastic materials that can create beams of light). This diffusion of natural light within the building reduces the reliance on electrical lighting, thus reducing energy consumption and improving working conditions.
Verified Thermal Performance
One of the primary functions of FAIRs is to improve a building’s energy efficiency. The insulating core is designed to achieve specific U-values (a measure of thermal transmittance). We can help you to make informed decisions that meet the thermal requirements outlined in Building Regulations.
Consistent Quality and Reliability
Each FAIR is constructed under strict quality management systems with regular measurements and human inspections. This ensures that every unit delivered to the site performs exactly as specified in our product information. There is no guesswork involved, just consistent, documented quality.
Faster and Safer Installation
Because FAIRs are single, composite units, they are quicker and simpler to install than multi-part systems. This reduces labour time and costs on site. Furthermore, a streamlined installation process can reduce risks for operatives working at height. Our FAIRs product information and Technical Information Sheet include clear guidance on safe handling and correct installation to achieve the tested performance of the rooflight.
Durability and Long-Term Performance
Filon FAIRs are manufactured using high-quality GRP, which provides excellent resistance to weathering and UV degradation. The factory-sealed construction protects the insulating core from moisture ingress and environmental contaminants, which could otherwise compromise its performance over time. This ensures the rooflight maintains its thermal and light transmission properties for many years.
Tested for Fire Safety
Filon FAIRs are manufactured with Filon translucent GRP sheets that are tested to BS 476 Parts 3, 6 & 7, BS EN 13501 Part 5, and BS 2782-0 Annex B Method 508A. The normal fire ratings of the sheets used are:
- FILON Grade 300 outer: AB to BS 476 Part 3, BROOF(t4) to BS EN 13501
- FILON Grade 104 inner: Class 1 to BS 476 Part 7, TP(a) to BS 2782-0 Annex B Method 508A
- FILON Grade 101 inner: Class 0 to BS 476 Part 6, TP(a) to BS 2782-0 Annex B Method 508A
Applications for FAIRs
FAIRs are suitable for a wide range of new build and refurbishment projects across various sectors. Their adaptability and performance characteristics make them a practical choice for many types of insulated composite panels and twin skin metal roofing systems.
Common applications include:
- Warehouses and Distribution Centres: Providing natural light to large, open spaces, which can help reduce the need for artificial lighting and create a better working environment.
- Manufacturing Facilities: Offering durable and robust rooflighting solutions that can withstand the demands of an industrial environment.
- Agricultural Buildings: Delivering excellent light transmission and thermal insulation for buildings used for livestock or storage.
Read how our FAIRs helped transform an agricultural building into a brighter, warmer building.
- Retail and Commercial Units: Helping to create bright, welcoming spaces for customers and employees while contributing to the building’s overall energy efficiency.
When considering the application, it’s important to refer to the product’s descriptive and physical characteristics. Our team can work with you on specific product information like dimensions, weight, material composition and application suitability to ensure the correct product is selected for your project.
Compliance and Clear Product Information
In the construction industry, unsubstantiated claims can lead to significant problems. That is why we are committed to providing product information that is clear, accurate, up-to-date and accessible.
Adhering to Industry Standards
We provide quantifiable data based on recognised industry standards. For example, when discussing fire performance, we reference specific classification reports achieved through testing to national and/or European standards. This ensures you have the precise information needed to demonstrate compliance.
The Importance of Verifiable Data
Filon FAIRs offer a high-performance solution for introducing natural daylight into buildings while maintaining excellent thermal efficiency. At Filon, we provide clear and unambiguous product information to help you make the right choice for your project.
This transparency gives specifiers and contractors confidence that our products will perform as stated. It allows for reliable comparisons and helps ensure the final building is safe, compliant and fit for purpose. Learn more about our range of FAIRs or contact our technical support team. We are here to provide the clear, accurate and reliable information you need.