In Harviala Hämeenlinna, a new chapter in early childhood education is taking shape. The City of Hämeenlinna is investing €4 million in a new 983 m² daycare building designed to serve over 80 children. The construction project is being carried out as a turnkey contract, with the main contractor, Matek Modules, responsible for both the construction and the design. As a fully wooden structure, Solvik Daycare represents a new option in sustainable public construction—complete with live construction cameras allowing residents to monitor progress online.
Behind the walls and beneath the wooden beam attic, critical details make this new space not just livable, but safe. The solution protecting the building's ventilation ducts is PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60, designed as a one-layer installation with a 3-in-1 system that combines passive fire protection, condensation risk reduction and thermal insulation for circular ductwork in HVAC systems.
For Ville Pakarinen, CEO of insulation contractor Eriste Wille, the project marked both a milestone and a revelation: using the newly released PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 in a live construction environment.
"This is the first real innovation I've seen in 16 years during my construction career," he says. "We were originally specified for a traditional two-layer duct insulation solution, but as LVI Häme got designer approval, we wanted to give a shot for this Paroc's new HVAC duct insulation solution."
The product switch required coordination with the HVAC contractor. Juho Pietilä from LVI Häme, who served as site supervisor, explains the approval process: "Paroc Area Manager Miika Salminen approached us asking if we could test this new product in this project. It wasn't originally specified for Solvik project, but we sent Paroc brochures and documentation to both the designer and client."
The approval came remarkably quickly. "It took just 2-3 days to get the green light," Pietilä notes. "No special arguments or additional clarification were needed. I think the comprehensive documentation from PAROC made it easy to get approval from both the designer and client."
What convinced Pietilä was the product's practical advantages: "Especially the ease of use. Since this is a P1-class building where cleanliness is crucial, this product significantly reduced the amount of wool debris and dust on site. Instead of installing fire wire mesh mat and condensation mat separately, this combines both steps."
Challenging Installation Environment
Pakarinen's crew tackled the most challenging space in the building—a wooden beam attic where summer temperatures soared. Even under these brutal conditions, PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 delivered.
"We installed 364 square meters in the attic, and it was like cutting butter," he explains. "It was a great benefit compared to using scissors with wired mat especially in that heat and tight crawlspace where only 15 packages fit at a time."
The wooden beam construction indeed created unique challenges since installers had to balance between structural joints rather than walk freely like in concrete buildings. With only one narrow ceiling opening for materials, logistics became critical.
"It made a huge difference having just one product," Pakarinen notes. "Fewer trips up that ladder, no time wasted hauling several product packages."
Enhanced Safety and Efficiency
While wire mesh solutions excel in many applications, this project revealed specific advantages.
"You can work more safely without sharp edges in cramped conditions," Pakarinen explains. With PAROC® Vect Mat EI60, installers used simple utility knives for clean cuts.
"The product also produced significantly less dust, crucial in a daycare environment where air quality matters most," Pakarinen notes.
The installation process revealed other immediate advantages. "We could measure directly from the duct and cut from the roll," explains an installer. "No pre-cutting downstairs, no double-handling. Once it's in, it's done."
The team used PAROC BlackCoat Tape for sealing, following PAROC's installation guide specifications. This fire-tested system solution ensures both fire protection and condensation prevention while delivering exceptional aesthetics. The smooth black finish impressed everyone on site.
"It looks so neat you could use it in visible areas," says Pakarinen. "The tape finishes perfectly matches the mat, creating a clean, professional appearance", Pakarinen notes.
For Juho Inkeroinen, Site Manager from Outacon Oy, the PAROC Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 installation made a quiet but strong impression.
"I didn't hear a single complaint. No issues, no rework—that's a sign of a product doing its job," he said.
Though PAROC Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 was new to the project, the brand's reputation provided immediate confidence. "When you see the Paroc name, there's built-in trust. It is also important that new tested and certified innovations are introduced into construction sites. I heard Paroc area manager did a good job in that," he adds.
Paroc Area Manager Miika Salminen emphasizes the importance of collaboration: "The key factor in these situations is that I provide the contractors enough information and support about our products. Close collaboration with the contractors is essential."
The stakes at Solvik Daycare run deeper than typical construction projects as this building will house over 80 children daily, making fire safety and indoor air quality paramount. PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 delivers a comprehensive 3-in-1 solution specifically designed for such critical applications:
· Passive fire protection (EI60) — A2-certified stone wool that doesn't emit smoke or flaming droplets during fires
· Thermal insulation — maintaining stable indoor temperatures year-round
· Condensation prevention — avoiding moisture buildup that could compromise indoor air quality
The M1 certification, which verifies that the product contributes to good indoor air quality, is particularly important in daycare environments where children spend their days, as it demonstrates that the product meets Finland’s strict requirements for low-emission materials.
Looking Forward
As construction work at Solvik Daycare nears completion this autumn and the daycare prepares to open early 2026, the project demonstrates how thoughtful material choices impact everyone involved.
"We'll definitely use it again," says Pakarinen. "This isn't just about meeting fire safety requirements, it's about making life easier for contractors, safer for children, and smarter for everyone involved."
At Solvik, PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60 proved that innovation in construction materials can transform not just building performance, but the entire installation experience. In a fully wooden daycare where protecting what matters most, that makes all the difference.
Solvik Daycare Centre Hämeenlinna, Finland
Scope: 983 m²
Budget: €4 million
Completion: January 2026
PAROC Products: PAROC® Vect Mat BlackCoat EI60, PAROC® BlackCoat Tape
For more information about the PAROC® Vect range or PAROC® Vect Wired Mat BlackCoat EI60 in particular, please contact us:
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