The architects and engineers for the new Rosa Parks Elementary School in Mankato, Minn., hoped to achieve a return on the school district's $21 million investment by minimizing operating costs and designing a school that is long-lasting. Part of that strategy included the selection of AP Coilflex Acoustic Duct Liner, a fiber-free alternative to other duct liners.
Mike Dolejs, owner of Dolejs Associates Inc., the mechanical engineering firm, liked the fact he could insulate duct from the inside, which is better for sound attenuation.
With a noise-reduction coefficient of 0.60 and a sound-transmission value of Class 25 when applied to sheet metal, AP Coilflex exceeds ASTM C1071, Standard Specification for Fibrous Glass Duct Lining Insulation (Thermal and Sound Absorbing Material), in terms of sound performance.
Coilflex's smooth, cleanable surface maintains its integrity despite the air velocities within a duct. Additionally, it is made with Environmental Protection Agency-registered Microban antimicrobial treatment, which provides a higher level of protection against mold.
Dolejs expects the Coilflex duct liner to last a long time. This is a great benefit to schools that often wait many years for bond approval to pave the way for much-needed repairs. Unfortunately, not all school districts take the life-cycle cost of insulation into account.
“What school districts have to realize is that HVAC insulation represents only about one-half of 1 percent of the total construction cost of a new school,” Kartik Patel, global HVAC market manager for Armacell, said. “These costs pale in comparison to a costly mold remediation.”
Armacell LLC
7600 Oakwood Street Ext.
Mebane, NC 27302
919-304-3846
www.armacell.us
Circle 35