What is thermal mass?
All buildings, of whatever type, have thermal mass. Structural elements such as walls and floors will tend to absorb heat both from the interior of a building and from its surroundings, and then release it again as the temperature lowers.

Thermal mass is the name given to this capacity of the building for heat absorption. Denser building materials, such as masonry and concrete, have a higher thermal mass and will therefore absorb and release more heat than lighter ones, which is why a concrete, stone, or brick building maintains a steadier temperature than a structure made of wood or metal.

What are the benefits of natural ventilation?
The ability of a building to absorb and then release heat is sometimes called the ‘thermal flywheel’ because of its stabilising effect on the ambient temperature. This saves some of the energy which would otherwise be needed for heating and air conditioning, and enables the building design to make maximum use of sun, shade, and air movement in managing the building.

Natural ventilation, which is the term used for air movement through a building without the use of mechanical processes, requires either wind or convection currents to work effectively. In high-tech buildings, the heat generated by electrical equipment such as computers can be used as part of the natural ventilation process.

How can concrete flooring assist natural ventilation?
Particularly if the lower surface of concrete flooring is not covered by an insulating finish such as a suspended ceiling, (that is, it has an ‘exposed soffit’), concrete flooring acts as a very effective heat sink, helping naturally to maintain a steady temperature in the building. Modern designers and architects seeking to improve the energy efficiency of new buildings often make use of this effect.

Flood Precast Concrete Flooring can help achieve thermal mass and natural ventilation. For more information contact the team at info@floodprecast.co.uk