First Arctic Testing Ground for Facade Systems Opens in Murmansk

MURMANSK, September 30. /TASS/. Murmansk hosted the Northern Facade Summit, where was opened the first Arctic testing ground to study facade systems effectiveness in the Far North, the regional Ministry of Construction said.

"We have opened a testing ground on the Kola Bay shore to study facade systems effectiveness in the Far North," the ministry said. "We have been building new houses in the Murmansk Region using modern technologies that necessarily take into account snow and wind loads."

The testing ground, opened in the territory of the Murmansk Arctic University, has four models of houses with facade solutions common in Russia, the ministry continued. The basements and roofs have been re-insulated to minimize heat loss. The test facilities are equipped with a system for keeping automatically temperature at 21 degrees Celsius and indoor humidity at 50-60%, and special sensors record how much electricity is spent to maintain the set parameters depending on weather changes.

"The Murmansk Region is once again a testing ground for new technologies," the Murmansk Region's Deputy Governor Olga Vovk said. "This is due to the climatic specifics: high humidity, strong winds and temperature fluctuations. It is not so easy to build and operate houses in the Far North. To date, there are no studies confirming that structural wear in the Murmansk Region is higher than in other regions."

"Results of studies conducted at this testing ground, in particular, will help us explain at the federal level why our facilities more often need major repairs, and also will help resolve the long-standing dispute over which facade system is more efficient and durable in our climatic conditions," she added.

Earlier, similar testing grounds were opened in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Yakutia. Each climate zone has its own specific features: heat, wind, and cold affect structures in their own way. "The climatic conditions of the Far North allow for research within a shorter period of time: while in other locations it takes 5-10 years, you may see the result of exploitation within 2-3 years," Chair of the Association for Polymer Efficient Technologies Development Olga Zauzelkova said. "We are confident that it is results of research at the Murmansk testing ground that will help us adjust regulatory documents so that we could live more comfortably in our houses."