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| case study
Schools
Become Safe Havens
New
construction project updates classrooms and offers storm safety.
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WHO'S WHO
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Brevard
County School District project:
3D/I Construction
450 S. Orange Ave Ste. 400
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 648-4990
www.3di.com
Florida PolySteel, Inc.
John & Doreen Seats, Owner
2809 Tropic Court
Winter Garden, FL 34787
(407) 656-9494
www.flpolysteel.com
American PolySteel, LLC
Rebecca Langton, Director of
Marketing and Communications
5150-F Edith Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 345-8153
www.polysteel.com |
Twenty-two schools in
the Brevard County, FL, school district will become superior learning
environments and community safe havens thanks to a large-scale classroom
replacement project conducted by American PolySteel LLC, Albuquerque,
NM, and the design/build firm 3D/I Construction, Orlando, FL.
American PolySteel’s local dealer, Florida PolySteel, Inc.,
Winter Garden, is supplying PolySteel insulating concrete forms for
the project, which will replace portable classrooms in the central
Florida district. Construction was to begin December 2002 with a completion
date of August 2003.
The school district project will replace portable classroom buildings
with permanent building additions at 22 sites at a cost not to exceed
$27.8 million. The building enclosure portion of the project includes
PolySteel forms, concrete, reinforcing steel, collateral materials
and labor.
American PolySteel has been manufacturing insulating concrete forms
since 1978. Its network of distributors work with homeowners, builders
and architects to create energy efficient homes, commercial and school
buildings.
ECONOMICALLY COMPETITIVE
The project came about when 3D/I Construction, with the assistance
of Florida PolySteel, responded to a request for proposals from the
Brevard County School Board Facilities Division. 3D/I Construction
presented to the school board a proposal to have its portables replaced
at 22 school sites using PolySteel forms as the structural component.
During the presentation, it was pointed out to the selection committee
that using these forms had many benefits including hurricane and severe
weather resistant walls, superior sound barriers and a four-hour fire
rating. The PolySteel walls have exceeded the 200 mph missile impact
test and is eight times stronger than conventional construction.
What’s more, the new structures would offer superior energy
efficiency, termite resistance, not support the growth of mold and
not permit water intrusion through the wall into the learning space.
Bill Porter-Carlton, 3D/I Construction, stated, “There are several
reasons why we feel the use of the PolySteel wall system is very important
to school districts. The forms are economically competitive to all
existing exterior wall enclosure systems being used, which is one
of the main selection criteria used by the selection committee.”
He also added, “The forms do not require high-skill labor and
heavy equipment will not be used on a congested, occupied school campus.”
MULTI BENEFITS
An important element of this project is quality. The PolySteel wall
system combines solid, reinforced concrete with high-density expanded
polystyrene and galvanized steel to create structures that are more
structurally secure than traditional alternative construction methods.
The added bonus of student safety during severe weather, noise reduction
and energy efficiency will make the classrooms ideal learning environments.
Because PolySteel structures are proven to withstand the forces of
hurricanes and tornadoes, these classrooms also can be used as shelters
for the community.
The school system’s building project will make for superior
classrooms because of noise reduction. Consider all of the background
noise that surrounds us each day—street traffic, airplanes flying
overhead. These noise levels can have a serious effect in a learning
environment.
Recently tests have been conducted and evidence has been found that
children in noisier environments perform worse on problem solving
tests. The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) determined that for
core classrooms, the unoccupied noise level should not exceed 35 decibels,
the level of conversation. The ASA feels that excess background noise
poses a barrier to learning, especially for students with minor hearing
disabilities. Students, according to the ASA, often blame themselves
for not understanding their instructors, instead of realizing the
space itself is a problem. With a laboratory tested sound Class Rating
of 48, PolySteel Forms provide a superior sound barrier. PolySteel
walls are making the learning environment more suitable to listening
and absorbing information.
When the construction is completed, the school children and teaching
professionals in the Brevard County school system will have every
opportunity to work and learn in an environment that is much more
suited to listening and learning. |
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