January 2013 Product Solutions

Jan. 29, 2013
Products and case studies from the January 2013 magazine.

Design challenge

Belmont University replicates historic architecture within tight construction budget

Dryvit. Belmont University, a private, liberal-arts university in Nashville, Tenn., wanted to replicate important traditional southern architecture when cladding the Gordon E. Inman Center for Health Services.

The 55,000-square-foot, four-story building houses state-of-the-art classroom and research laboratory facilities, but presented a significant design challenge. Merging the needs of a modern education facility with the desire to make the building resemble other traditional buildings on campus, the university turned to Dryvit Outsulation as its choice for one of the highest-profile buildings on the sprawling urban campus with a distinctly traditional southern architectural character.

The project architect, Earl Swensson and Associates, specified Dryvit Outsulation because it was the best way to create the building in the university’s image, and because it enabled the project to preserve some of the architectural nuance that often is lost in modern university construction. The strain on construction budgets and the need to devote resources to other pressing educational needs often create bland and boxy buildings because of the rising cost of construction.

The Outsulation system was applied on the Inman Center; 55,000 square feet of Sandpebble and Sandpebble Fine finishes in two colors were applied to mirror the largely stucco-clad buildings arrayed around the campus.

Select the January issue RSN number 156 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Green Measures

Restroom urinal upgrades promote sustainability

Falcon Waterfree. Established in 1860, Bard College is a private liberal-arts institution next to the Hudson River in upstate New York. Bard Office of Sustainability’s mission is to enhance the college’s sustainability in its operations, academics and outreach. Bard’s goal is to be carbon-neutral by 2035.

In a recent renovation of restroom facilities on campus, the main focus was to reduce water usage. An analysis showed that most significant waste of water was from flush urinals. Forty-seven water-fed urinals that flushed one and a half gallons an average of 25 times per day amounted to more than 538,000 gallons of fresh water going down the drain each school year. Broken flush valves and flooded restrooms also wasted thousands of gallons of water.

Deciding to replace the water-guzzling urinals was easy. However, choosing the right replacements had many implications. The main concerns were reducing water usage, reducing maintenance cost and improving hygiene. The best option to address these concerns was to install Falcon Waterfree urinals.

Because waterfree urinals use no water to flush, Bard College realizes 100 percent water savings and nearly identical sewer savings compared with its previous flush urinals. In addition, there are significant reductions in energy and carbon emissions used to supply the water, transport and treat the sewage.

“Along with upgrades to our water treatment plant, the waterfree urinals will help us save a significant amount of fresh water,” says Laurie Husted, sustainability manager at Bard College.

Because waterfree urinals are free from flush valves, there are no costs to repair stuck or broken valves that can lead to restroom flooding. Maintenance also is quick and easy for workers with proper training. 

Select the January issue RSN number 157 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Nesting table

MITY-LITE. Reveal Flip is a new mobile flip-top table design that flips and nests for easy storage. Ideal for training, boardroom, classroom, conference and other flexible learning environments, the tables offer many commercial-grade, scratch-resistant laminate finishes. It has sleek, single-column steel legs and locking casters. The linen-less table’s durable, yet lightweight construction supports 1,000 pounds and is backed by a 15-year limited warranty. 

Select the January issue RSN number 150 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

 

Electronic key-management cabinet

Videx, Inc. A new version of the CyberKey Vault 20, the CyberKey Vault 20 FX, has been introduced. The redesign features a sleek new look with weatherized input modules and an embedded Flex System Hub for improved performance, all offered at a lower price. The Vault 20 FX is an intelligent key cabinet designed to manage, program and dispense CyberKey smart keys. The keys are stored unprogrammed and locked securely in the cabinet until an RFID card or PIN code is presented to the cabinet. After reading the card or accepting the PIN, the CyberKey Vault programs a CyberKey with the individual’s permissions. Keys are programmed with access privileges for each user.

Select the January issue RSN number 151 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

 

Fire suppression

Peripheral Manufacturing, Inc. Aero-K is a new Aerosol Computer/Server Room Fire Suppression System that can be used as a standalone system and often can replace wet sprinklers. The Aero-K agent is a potassium-based aerosol spray that will not harm equipment and or information; it is environmentally friendly and non-toxic to humans. On contact, the agent suppresses fire without displacing oxygen and is extremely effective. The systems retrofit into existing spaces and can be installed easily using minimal space.  It is not a permanent fixture, so it can be expanded, reduced and relocated easily.

Select the January issue RSN number 152 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Roof propeller fan options

Greenheck. Several models of the company’s hooded roof propeller fans now can be specified to withstand seismic and high-wind disturbances.  High-wind ratings are available in sizes up to a 42-inch prop on unfiltered models and up to a 36-inch prop on filtered models. All units have been tested and certified in accordance with Miami-Dade NOA-09-0511.03, Florida Product Approval FL 12917.1 and California OSHPD certification–OSP-0113-10 for worst-case-scenario seismic conditions for use throughout the United States. 

Select the January issue RSN number 153 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Daylight-modeling simulation

Kalwall. Daylightmodeling.com is an informative new website that demonstrates a helpful daylight engineering service. Sample 3D renderings, videos and example daylighting reports are available, along with information about services and technologies that enable architects and building designers to demonstrate the impact of their daylight designs while having the option of easily demonstrating “what-if” alternatives. Architects and designers also can check their designs for compliance with net zero, LEED, ASHRAE 90.1, Standard 189.1 and IGCC.  

Select the January issue RSN number 154 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

Insulated metal panels

MBCI. The company has added three new insulated metal panel (IMP) profiles to its eco-FICIENT Series product line. These offerings include the eco-FICIENT Insulated 7.2 Panel, the eco-FICIENT Insulated HPCI Barrier and the eco-FICIENT Insulated Fire Resistant Panel. The Insulated 7.2 Panel combines a traditional 7.2 rib panel design with a premier polyurethane foam core. It can be installed vertically and horizontally. The HPCI Barrier is an air, water, thermal and vapor barrier panel that can be used behind any type of facade. This backup panel is installed in a horizontal orientation completely outside the structural supports. The Insulated Fire Resistant Panel consists of metal facings bonded to a structural mineral wool core to create a composite panel that achieves fire-resistance ratings under the most demanding of conditions. 

Select the January issue RSN number 155 on AS&U's Product Information site for more information.

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