"It worked out really well… it went up fast and went up well."
Project Background
For Kevin Darnell, eliminating extra steps is a critical component of efficient construction. As president of M & F Litteken Co., he saw an opportunity to achieve that goal by choosing the accel-E™ Steel Thermal Efficient Panel (S.T.E.P.) wall system for the exterior walls of the new 39,000-square-foot Jerry's Sporting Goods building in Wichita Falls, Texas.
"The original drawings had specified conventional framing, but I informed the owner of what we would like to do and he left it up to me," said Darnell, whose company was general contractor on the project. "He was pleased with the result, and with the speed especially."
The accel-E™ panels were used as non-load bearing curtain wall on a steel frame structure. Spandrel beams carry the load, with the accel-E™ panels used as the primary exterior wall system, which is then covered by a combination of split-faced block and brick veneer, along with pre-finished metal exterior.
"It worked out really well, especially in our situation where we had a parapet that went up above the roofline," Darnell said. "It really went up fast and went up well."
"In one step you’ve done your exterior wall framing, insulation and sheathing." – Kevin Darnell, M & F Litteken Co.
Streamlined Construction Scheduling
From Darnell's perspective, the primary advantage that led him to recommend the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system was its capability for streamlining and simplifying the construction process.
"In one step you’ve done your exterior wall framing, insulation and sheathing," he explained. "And you are going up in four-foot wide panels, as opposed to stick framing and then coming back with additional steps."
"It got us in the dry quicker, and let us get the exterior shell up more quickly," he added.
Replacing conventional framing, sheathing and insulation with pre-engineered accel-E™ panels also streamlines the construction process and can reduce labor and onsite disposal costs. Window and door openings are pre-cut, and pre-cut channels simplify the installation of electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems.
"Unlike with tilt-up or other systems where you have trouble with electrical, we still have plenty of space with the open cavity to come in and run electrical, hang the sheet rock, and finish the inside the way we want," Darnell said.
Adding Long-Term Value
The building will be home to a large central retail space for the high-profile Texas retailer, which specializes in uniforms and equipment for all types of team sports. The building will also offer 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, along with two adjacent retail bays for other tenants. Owner and tenants alike can expect to benefit from the long-term advantages the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. wall system adds to the building.
For example, the panels are fabricated by fusing UltraSTEEL® steel framing components and expandable polystyrene (EPS) insulating panels together into a single continuous system. This design eliminates air gaps, sagging and irregularities that can greatly diminish the performance of conventional framing and insulation. As a result, the accel-E™ panels offer tested insulating values that surpass other panel systems and traditional framing techniques.
While such benefits enhance the long-term advantages of the system, construction efficiency remained the primary driver from Darnell's perspective.
"The decision was made not so much on material cost, but primarily on time and speed of installation," he explained. "Anytime you can save labor, which is your big variable, the better off you will be. It's a matter of getting more done with fewer people."
As the project winds down, Darnell is looking forward to future applications of the accel-E™ S.T.E.P. system.
"It's a good product," he concluded. "It went up well, and we would definitely use it again on future projects."
Learn more about accel-E™STEP wall systems by visiting www.accel-E.com,
or call 888-9-accelE (888-922-2353).
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About accel-E™ The accel-E™ panels are produced in thicknesses of 5 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 and mildew. 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 both NOVA Chemicals and Dietrich Metal Framing. Accelerated Building Technologies maintains ownership of the accel-E™system under SYNTHEON Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NOVA Chemicals Inc., and utilizes Dietrich Metal Framing as its exclusive steel component provider.
