Spray Foam Insulation Protects the New Syracuse Sports Center

Syracuse, New York–October 6, 2009 – Like a soda can in a koozie sleeve, Syracuse University’s new Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center is wrapped in insulating foam to protect indoor temperatures from outside extremes.  The BLUE™ foam insulation for the steel-frame building comes in the form of a new wall system from Dow Building Solutions.  The THERMAX™ Wall System helps improve the thermal efficiency of new steel-frame construction with less labor and cost than traditional gypsum wall systems.

While the Sports Center’s foam wrap is more sophisticated than the beverage can variety, its purpose is the same: to prevent heat transfer and condensation.  The THERMAX Wall System surrounds the building’s exterior with acrylic-coated, aluminum-faced polyisocyanurate foam, affixed to steel studs and flashed at the seams, windows and doors. Taking the concept a step further, the THERMAX Wall System also seals the interior wall cavity with closed-cell polyurethane spray foam to minimize air infiltration.

Placing insulation on the outside of wall studs instead of in between is a relatively new practice in steel-frame construction known as continuous insulation, or “ci.”  ASHRAE 90.1-2007 requires “ci” in six of eight climate zones.  LEED* 3.0 and 2009 IECC** have adopted the same standard.   The THERMAX Wall System is an assembly-tested solution for achieving “ci” in steel-framed buildings, while also serving as an air and moisture barrier.

Steel framing of the Syracuse Sports Center was already underway when  project manager Dave Green of King & King Architects, who are executing Skidmore Owing & Merrill’s design, replaced the original specifications with the THERMAX Wall System.  The specification change increased the R-value of the exterior wall from 16 to 19 and reduced capital costs –materials and labor -- by nearly $60,000.

“Switching to the THERMAX Wall System was an easy spec change that yielded substantial savings,” said Green.  “We particularly liked the checks and balances of having rigid foam on the outside and spray foam on the inside: besides the protection from thermal, moisture and air infiltration, any installation mishap on one side would be remedied by the other.” 

Original plans for the Syracuse Sports Center called for cement board sheathing, peel-and-stick air/vapor barrier layer and extruded polystyrene insulation.  Instead of slowing things down, switching to THERMAX Wall System in mid stream actually accelerated progress on the Syracuse project, according to Gus Hernandez, project manager with The Hayner Hoyt Corporation.

“The install was much easier and faster than it would have been with the original system,” Hernandez said. “With the THERMAX Wall System, we used fewer construction materials and completed the exterior wrap in one pass instead of three.”  Although it wasn’t needed in this case, THERMAX (ci) Exterior Insulation has a built-in drainage plain and water-resistive barrier that allows for exposure to the elements for up to six months during construction.The System Advantage
“THERMAX Wall System is an easy, three-in-one solution that maximizes R-Value and energy efficiency in steel frame construction,” says Doug Todd, commercial market manager for Dow Building Solutions, North America.  To demonstrate the ease of installation, Dow provides pre-loaded CAD details and BIM models online.  Tested and approved as an assembly, the THERMAX Wall System meets all applicable 2009 International Building Code (IBC) standards, including:

•  ASTM E331 Water-Resistive Barrier test, 
•  ASTM E2357 Assembly Air Barrier test, and 
•  NFPA 285 Multi-Story Flammability test.

About Dow Building Solutions
Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing energy saving solutions to the global commercial and residential construction industry, which began with the launch of its flagship STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) Foam Insulation, one of the most recognized brands of insulation in the world. A market-facing business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Building Solutions offers unsurpassed building science expertise to help builders, designers, architects and home/building owners reduce energy costs and protect against wind, rain and moisture, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More information about Dow Building Solutions can be found at www.dowbuildingsolutions.com
 
About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.  More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.
 
More information about Dow Building Solutions is available at www.thermaxwallsystem.com.  For media inquiries, please contact Marissa Peterson, account supervisor, Gibbs & Soell Public Relations, at (212) 697-2600, mpeterson@gibbs-soell.com