Contact: Karen Miller
VantEdge Corp.
828-883-8362, ext. 303
e-mail: karenm@vant-edge.com

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(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – As the building products industry struggles with the ongoing construction slowdown, one advanced wall panel system continues to grow in popularity as everyone concerned – from general contractors and architects to building owners themselves – find a lot to like. The list of successful projects using the accel-E™ Steel Thermal Efficient Panel (S.T.E.P.) continues to grow rapidly, thanks to its proven ability to reduce labor costs and shorten construction time, while also providing long-term benefits in the form of improved energy efficiency, greater durability and lower life-cycle costs.

"The accel-E™ system is being used in a growing number of projects in spite of the economy," said Jeff Peskowitz, director of distribution sales and marketing for ACCELERATED™ Building Technologies, which developed and manufactures the system. "It's being specified more and more, because it is ideal for a wide variety of commercial structures, including curtain wall infill and bypass applications, as well as for load-bearing walls and demising wall installations."

A diverse number of projects from Alaska to Pennsylvania which have specified the panel have either been started or slated for construction later this fall, Peskowitz reported. The list of current and pending projects includes an aquatic center, a supermarket, a church, a retail center, a municipal airport, an office complex and a variety of other commercial structures.

ne important reason for this popularity is that the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system has been shown to save as much as 66 percent in exterior wall construction time, while cutting labor costs by more than 50 percent in many instances, Peskowitz said.

"What's more, because of its superior energy efficiency, the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system can improve effective R-value performance by up to 60 percent," he added. "This helps produce long-term life-cycle savings that are crucial to building owners. That's a major advantage in today's economy, where owners are looking for maximum value."

The accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system panels are produced using a proprietary technology that fuses cold-formed steel framing components with expandable polystyrene (EPS) panels. The result is a superior building technology that is thermally resistant, strong, lightweight and energy efficient, while also being simpler to install than traditional wall systems.

"Theaccel-E™wall panel system enables contractors to reduce both the size of their on-site construction crews and the required skill levels," Peskowitz explained. Since framing, insulation and sheathing are installed in a single step, the construction cycle can be greatly accelerated while scheduling complexity is significantly reduced. Open cavities in the panels also simplify the installation of electrical, plumbing, mechanical and communication systems.

"All these savings are vitally important to today's general contractors, who are being pushed to produce maximum efficiency on every project," Peskowitz said. "What's more, the panels are very lightweight and easy to handle, so heavy equipment or special tools are generally not required."

He added that architects also like the accel-E™ system since the panels can be fabricated in heights up to 48 feet and longer, which opens up new design and finish possibilities.

Beyond the system's immediate advantages during design and construction, even greater benefits are available over the long term, Peskowitz said. In addition to improving the R-value of the building envelope, the panel's proprietary interlocking joints eliminate air infiltration.

The accel-E™ panel is also one of the greenest wall systems available, thanks to both superior energy efficiency and minimal waste. Because all panels are manufactured to precise dimensions, with window and door openings precut, jobsite waste and disposal costs are drastically reduced. In addition, the panels are manufactured from recycled materials and are themselves 100 percent recyclable.

"The accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system can be a significant contributor toward LEED® points in several categories," Peskowitz noted.

Accel-E™ panels are manufactured in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from 5½ to 8 inches, depending on individual project requirements. The materials used in the panels are fire resistant, and also resist mold, mildew, and termites.

"With so many advantages, we are finding tremendous interest in this improved approach in the construction industry," Peskowitz concluded.

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. ACCELERATED Building Technologies maintains ownership under SYNTHEON, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVA Chemicals, Inc., for the building and construction industry, and utilizes Dietrich Metal Framing as its exclusive steel components provider. For more information, contact Jeff Peskowitz, director of marketing, at 412-490-5037; or visit the company's Web site at www.accbt.com.

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Source: RS Means, 2007

Source: 2005 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, California Energy Commission, based on ASHRAE 90.1. S.T.E.P. tested by Intertek. Compared 24" OC wood frame R19 batt OSB sheathing and 24" OC steel frame R10 plus 1" XPS. Tested in a controlled environment. Actual R-values may vary slightly.