exterior and interior cladding’s corrosion resistant characteristics are not impacted by scratches or nicks. Many facilities that require insulated panels are high production, so every minute lost is very expensive, sometimes to the tune of over $100,000 per hour. A longer panel installation time requires a longer shutdown. Add this to the additional laborers needed and the result is spending lots of money. With ICP, owners can begin or resume operations at a minimum 33 percent quicker, minimizing losses. ICPs offer safety benefits beyond the everyday. In the terrible event of fire, many types of insulated panels can present risks of carcinogens as the insulation burns. The insulation includes flame-retardant halogens like bromine to earn a flame-spread rating. When burnt, however, these halogens hydrolyze and, when mixed with the water in the air and inhaled, people can respirate bromic acid. For added safety or for enclosed spaces that are hard to exit quickly, some manufacturers are beginning to produce IMPs and ICPs produced with halogen-free materials. Enduro’s Tuff Span ICPs are currently the only non-metallic fiberglass sandwich panel available in a halogen-free option for additional safety. ICPs Thrive in Challenging Environments Certain chemicals necessary to industries like mining, fertilizer, salt, and pulp and paper processing are highly corrosive. In these environments, IMPs exposed to the corrosive effects of industrial-grade hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), and other chlorides can succumb in a matter of years and need replacing. Even in facilities where corrosive chemicals are less common, consistently wet conditions like high humidity areas or geographies prone to heavy rains can quickly corrode IMPs. Because these panels are essential to weatherproofing a facility, corroded panels are a business risk and must be repaired or replaced. This begins the entire laborious, expensive installation process over again. The facility must absorb production losses during an installation that may take double the time using field-assembled insulation systems instead of ICPs. Or businesses can avoid this altogether: ICPs offer a corrosion-resistant alternative to metal and have a long, nearly maintenance-free service life. This total cost of ownership is thus much lower than consistently replacing IMPs, even without considering installation savings. In addition to corrosion resistance, ICPs bring many advantages to both standard and challenging environments. ICPs are scalable and interact well with other materials. ICPs from some manufacturers are available in vinyl ester or iso-polyester and are UL-listed and FM-approved for both exterior and interior building panels, for use as exterior, single-skin cladding or for use as liner panels. All composite panels are corrosion-resistant, though different ICP manufacturers use different reinforcing content and resin systems that may add further like increased UV resistance.
ICPs for a Long Service Life Heavy, corrosion-prone IMPs are not the only choice for prefabricated insulated paneling. ICPs are a compelling alternative, offering: An excellent total cost of ownership by reducing or eliminating maintenance, even in very wet or corrosive environments. A faster, safer and ultimately less costly installation process due to their modular design, light weight and larger size. An energy-efficient and long service life. Conventional IMPs are still a strong choice in many cases. But in corrosive environments, the costs of relying on tradition can be high. The durability and efficiency of ICPs meet the challenges of modern manufacturing.
Blake Heger is a subject matter expert on premium fiberglass building products predominantly supporting the industrial, mining, and infrastructure markets. Blake is passionate about providing architects, engineers, contractors and plant personnel with technical and commercial support on their building products needs. Since joining Enduro in 2011, Blake has held various sales manager roles primarily in Enduro Composites’ Building Products group. Blake’s current role is VP of Marketing and Sales Operations with emphasis on product innova- tion and improving the market position of Enduro’s brand and product lines.
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October 2023 csengineermag.com
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