Certified Electric Applies Spray Foam To Exterior Of New High School

BRUNSWICK, GA – December 6, 2012 – Rather than using a more traditional air barrier method for the exterior walls of a new high school, Certified Electric, Inc. (CEI), a general contractor also providing electric, HVAC and other insulation services, was contacted to tackle the job with spray foam.

The ongoing construction of Brunswick High School, which is being completed in stages, first started in January of 2012. CEI began their spray foam application at the school at the end of October.

CEI first got involved in the spray foam business about 10 years ago. Emory Young, Jr., Vice President of CEI, said the company got into insulation to compliment their air conditioning business. "We could offer a way to save on energy by insulating and air sealing, which goes hand-in-hand with the air conditioning business," he said.

Young said spray foam was chosen for this project as an alternative to an older air barrier process, which involved rolling asphalt-based tar to seal block walls, cutting foam boards, and affixing a strip to go between the block ties. "The procedure is more time-consuming and does not provide an airtight seal because of the joints," said Young.

According to Young, spray foam takes care of three processes at once. "The waterproofing, insulation, and air sealing is all done in one step," he said. "Once we spray it, it's waterproof and airtight. You just lay the brick up afterward and you never see it again."

The exterior fascia of the building will be brick. In preparation for the brick, brick ties protrude about 2.5 inches from the block walls. After CEI applies 1.5 inches of spray foam, the ties and stick wire will anchor the bricks into place.

CEI is applying 1.5 inches of NCFI's InsulBloc 2 lb. closed-cell spray polyurethane foam to approximately 80,000 sq. ft. of the school's exterior block walls. Crewmembers are using a Graco Reactor E-30, complete with a 250 ft. hose and a PMC AP-2 spray gun. No coatings are being applied in this particular project and no other insulation is being used for the exterior walls of the building.

In order to reach the 26 and 34 ft. walls, workers are employing a 60-ft. boom lift. The crew is also using safety harnesses, full-face respirators, and hard hats, as these are the best practices for safety. Vehicles located at the job site have to be protected from overspray so, on occasion, the crew has to use windscreens.

Young anticipates the project at Brunswick High School will be finished by March of 2013. Four crewmembers are using one spray foam rig to complete the job.

CEI has worked on similar projects in the past including another smaller school, but this is their biggest job to date. "We know the school board and head of maintenance and we have done some other spray foam projects for them," Young added.

"We are always looking for better ways to serve our community and this was the right thing for our new state-of-the-art high school to have," he said. "It's the first exterior spray foam job in this area, but it surely won't be the last."

About Certified Electric, Inc.: CEI has provided electrical service, electrical contracting, heating & air conditioning service, and HVAC contracting for over 41 years. The company also provides cellulose insulation, spray foam insulation, and duct cleaning. For more information about CEI please use the contact details and links provided below.