Contact: Karen Miller
VantEdge Corp.
828-883-8362, ext. 303
e-mail: karenm@vant-edge.com
(RACINE, Wis.) – For owners and tenants of a new commercial building, the new accel-E™ Steel Thermal Efficient Panel (S.T.E.P.) wall system can mean earlier occupancy, quicker positive cash flow and reduced financing costs. For members of the True Life Ministries congregation in Racine, Wis., however, the innovative new wall system provided even more important benefits.
"We’ve got five new day care classrooms opening, and we do have a waiting list for some of the children, so the sooner we can get it open the better off we will be," said Ronald Bogard, superintendent of construction for True Life Ministries.
The new 39,000-square-foot building will house the congregation’s sanctuary, as well as 11 new offices, a bookstore, daycare rooms, youth room and other facilities. Using the accel-E™ system enabled the congregation to shave many weeks off the 18-month construction schedule.
"I was impressed with the way the accel-E™ panels went up so fast," added Bogard. "We were able to cut our construction time significantly."
In addition, the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. wall system was also considerably less costly – an important consideration in any project, but one that was especially critical to New Life Ministries, since the original plan to use insulated concrete forms (ICF) construction was prohibitively expensive.
"(The accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system) was extremely simple and cost-effective," said Bogard. "It was much lower cost than the ICF wall."
accel-E™ S.T.E.P. panels are fabricated using a proprietary technology that fuses cold-formed steel framing members and expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation. Thus, framing, insulation and sheathing are all contained in a single system and installed in a single step. The panels are produced in four-foot widths, and lock together with a tongue-and-groove design to mitigate air infiltration and improve energy efficiency.
By combining framing, insulation and sheathing into a single process, S.T.E.P. panels can reduce labor costs by up to 50 percent over traditional construction techniques, and the time required to erect walls can be reduced by as much as 66 percent.
With specially shaped steel studs in each panel, the S.T.E.P. system can be used in both structural and curtain-wall applications, which is how the accel-E™ panels were used on the True Life Ministries building. Used in combination with steel girders, the S.T.E.P. system provided an innovative alternative to traditional framing, sheathing and insulation.
"In my opinion, after looking and researching alternatives, this is the best wall system that’s out there in this type of building construction," said Ken Rosploch, owner of New Wall Construction, which specified and installed the panels.
Bogard concurred, adding: "I think this is going to revolutionize construction. It simplifies things.... You would spend a lot of time stacking blocks and tying steel reinforcing rods in the forms before you could pump concrete. But these panels went up so quickly you could cut your construction time."
Another particular advantage was the availability of panels in virtually any height – an important consideration for the True Life Ministries building, where wall heights varied from 24 feet to as much as 48 feet.
"We required custom lengths because of a three-story prayer tower and elevator area that required a straight-through configuration, which they were able to supply without a problem," said Bogard. "So there is less chance of water intrusion since there are no horizontal seams to allow moisture to collect."
Window and door openings are pre-cut, and a pre-formed interior cavity simplifies the installation of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems.
While construction cost and speed were the factors that initially attracted the congregation to the S.T.E.P. system, Rosploch said that, in the long term, the energy savings provided by the accel-E™ panels will ultimately prove to be of even greater value.
"I do believe that, because the product is very energy efficient, that’s going to be a major factor in its success down the road," he said.
The accel-E™ panels are produced in thicknesses of 5½ and 8 inches, and can be produced in virtually any height, limited only by the mode of transport. The materials used in the panels resist mold, mildew, termites and other insects. Developed and marketed by ACCELERATED Building Technologies, LLC, the accel-E™ system fully complies with both the 2006 International Building Code (IBC) and the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC).
ACCELERATED Building Technologies, LLC, was formed by two leading building materials manufacturers, combining the talent, resources and knowledge of Dietrich Metal Framing and NOVA Chemicals. For more information, contact Andy Claypole, president, or Jeff Peskowitz, director of marketing, at 412-490-5037; or visit the company’s Web site at http://www.accbt.com.
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