Using insulated metal panels to build natatoriums

by jason_cramp | August 31, 2017 11:03 am

By Mike Weaver, CSI, CDT and Michael Moore

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Insulated metal panels (IMPs), sometimes referred to as sandwich panels, typically comprise two sheets of metal that encapsulate a polyurethane foam interior of varying thicknesses. The thicker the foam is, the higher the R-value, which is the measure of the insulation’s ability to prevent heat from escaping.

Generally, manufacturers offer panels in thicknesses ranging between 51 and 152 mm (2 and 6 in.), depending on the panel type and application (e.g. roofing, wall panels, or interior partitions). Panels are constructed, cut to order in-house and can be delivered anywhere from 2.4 to 16 m (8 to 53 ft) in length and in widths
up to 1 m (3.5 ft).

IMPs are used across North America and are a key component in building cold-storage facilities in the food industry. They help control the interior climate efficiently, maintaining a consistent temperature to keep food items fresh or frozen. In recent years, more construction markets are realizing the benefits of IMPs when building new facilities such as pools and natatoriums.

Increased demand results in more options

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The demand from other markets, such as the pool industry, has led manufacturers to offer a greater number of options to enable architects, specifiers, and building owners to achieve almost any look they desire.

Whether a building uses a pre-engineered metal frame or other conventional construction methods, IMPs offer the ability to clad the structure in a wide variety of colours, profiles, and textures to create an esthetically pleasing exterior, while offering thermal comfort and protection on the interior.

For facilities housing pools, IMPs provide insulation to help maintain a consistent indoor temperature for bathers. Further, the panels’ polyurethane insulation is protected from moisture and/or corrosive substances and meet energy code requirements or specific R-values, making the building more energy efficient throughout the year. As a single-component system, an insulated metal wall and roof panel protect against all interior and exterior elements, all while meeting strict energy codes found in today’s construction market.

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The painted metal panels also resist corrosion. For example, the renovation of a roofing system on the Pepper Geddings Recreation Center in South Carolina uses IMPs. The original batt-and-roll insulation and liner system was sagging from absorbing moisture. When roofing materials and insulation get to this point, they not only become less efficient, but also mould and mildew can become an issue, which can create health risks for the building’s occupants.

Since this facility is located in a coastal region, a special paint coats the exterior metal panels, as the roofing is subject to sea salt in the air. The interior panels also have a coating that is highly reflective, which helps reduce the number of lights required within the facility, saving the cost of lighting installation and, over time, electricity.

“The insulated metal panel is a complete system,” says Michael Walker, AIA, LEED AP, at Tych & Walker of Murrells Inlet, S.C., who specified the IMPs for the facility. “The interior panel was coated with a product that is resistant to chlorine. It offers 152 mm (6 in.) of insulation to get the R-value we wanted, and the standing seam metal roofing.”

Standing seam metal roofing is a prominent visual feature that consists of a raised interlocking seam that joins one panel to the next to form a watertight system.

Proper training can reduce labour

IMPs can easily be installed in a retrofit application following the teardown of the failing system, such as the project in South Carolina. Manufacturers offer extensive field and classroom-style training for contractors or roofers looking to offer this building material as a roofing or wall system option to their customers. Part of this training comprises a discussion or a hands-on demonstration of proper equipment available (e.g. vacuum lifts that assist with placement) which can help reduce labour on the jobsite.

The construction season in some parts of North America is never as long as it needs to be. Where IMPs can be installed year-round, other construction methods have certain limitations. For instance, tilt-up concrete must be poured in temperatures above freezing (ideally above 10 C [50 F]), which limits the building season in some areas. Other building methods, such as stud framing can be time-consuming due to the number of layers required to construct the entire system (e.g. vapour barrier, girts, insulation, and cladding typically require four passes for the builder).

Top 10 benefits of insulated metal panels (IMPs)

[4] 1. Ease of installation: Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are a composite building material with a concealed fastener system in the side joint. This provides a single source (a one-step, one-trade installation process) for the building enclosure, which also reduces the number of different trades necessary for installation. Most weather conditions do not affect IMPs thanks to its resilient nature, which allows flexibility in installation. 2. Energy efficiency: IMPs have a high thermal efficiency. Each panel contains a urethane core to help reduce building energy use and costs. 3. Design flexibility: These panels are designed for exterior and interior walls, as well as roofs. IMPs are available in multiple profiles, colours, reveals, and custom modular widths with factory-formed corners to provide esthetically pleasing design options for horizontal or vertical installation. 4. Quick construction time: IMPs comprise a foam core that is encapsulated by two sheets of steel, which serve as the building’s entire wall or roof application. This single-step installation significantly reduces construction time and aids in granting building occupancy sooner. 5. Longevity: Metal buildings not only last, they age well, too. Constructed of G-90 galvanized and AZ-50 aluminum-zinc coated steel, along with premium components and paint options, including a 70 per cent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coating, help ensure buildings standup to the elements. 6. Environmentally friendly: More than 35 per cent of the steel used in the skins of IMPs comprises recycled materials. In addition, 88 per cent of the scrap steel from panels is recycled. The R-values of insulated metal panels meet or exceed current energy codes and contribute towards credits in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. 7. Strength and durability: IMPs not only insulate buildings, but also act as a single-source water, air, vapour, and thermal barrier. 8. Low maintenance: Insulated wall and roof panels are available with paint finish warranties of up to 40 years. This means they would only need to be replaced once to achieve 60-year coverage, which is in accordance with the product category rule (PCR)[5]. Depending on local environmental conditions, the projected lifespan of IMPs can range between 50 and 60 years. 9. Cost effective: IMPs allow for the quick construction of durable, energy efficient facilities. In turn, this reduces overall installation and operation costs. With single-step installation, IMPs reduce the number of necessary trades, as well as vendors needed to manage materials, which, depending on the project, can further lower costs. 10. Fire-resistant: Manufacturers have created a mineral wool IMP to achieve one-, two- or three-hour fire-resistance ratings under the most demanding conditions. In addition to its fire-resistant characteristics, the panel provides good thermal performance and protection from the elements.

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When using IMPs, there may be times when freezing temperatures or high winds pose limiting construction factors; however, in most cases, this building material allows a structure to be erected quickly, allowing other trades to start working inside a sheltered space. Of course, the timeline depends on the building type, size, design, panel detail, quantity of materials. Once installed, these panels require little maintenance. They can be easily washed without fear of damage from cleaning materials and/or chemicals.

Manufacturers have also expanded their offerings to include more profiles, colours, and textures, to provide architects and building owners with more attractive options. A better esthetic enhances a structure’s appearance, making IMPs a desirable option for architects who are designing commercial buildings and need to meet city guidelines. These panels are available with a smooth or stucco-like finish and offer flexibility, as they can be installed horizontally or vertically with interchangeable profile joinery, which offers unlimited design possibilities. The tongue and groove fastening of IMPs is consistent from profile to profile, allowing the owner and design team to detail panels and interchange profiles to achieve a desired esthetic.

[7][8]Mike Weaver, CSI, CDT, is the eastern regional sales manager for Metl-Span, a manufacturer of insulated building panel products in Lewisville, Texas. He has been with the company for more than four years and is currently responsible for direction and management of all sales and business development operations. He can be reached via e-mail at meweaver@metlspan.com[9].

Michael Moore is the president of Architectural MetalReps LLC, a commercial and industrial manufacturers’ representative firm based in Atlanta, Ga. He started the company in 1992 after serving as an inside sales representative for a manufacturer of architectural roofing and wall systems in Dallas, Texas. In 2013, he took over Metl-Span’s commercial and industrial territory in the southeast U.S. He can be reached via e-mail at moore@metalreps.com[10].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/using-insulated-metal-panels-to-build-natatoriums/

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