Labatt Food Service Distribution Center, Houston
Posted
07/1/2009
The new $14
million, 148,000-square-foot (13,749-m2) distribution center
includes a two-story office and cold-storage area for dry goods,
perishables and frozen foods on a 21-acre (8.4-hectare) site. The
project utilized approximately 140,000 square feet (13,006 m2) of
three types of Metl-Span insulated panels.
"This was a great example of being able to use several Metl-Span
products in applications they are ideally suited for," said Andy
Bowser, principal and project manager at TEAM Group Ltd., the
design-builder.
The majority of the project utilized Metl-Span's CF insulated wall
panels for interior and exterior cold-storage walls. Metl-Span
supplied approximately 93,000 square feet (8,640 m2) of 26-gauge
CF-42 Fluted wall panels in Sandstone in 3-, 4- and 6-inch (76-,
102- and 152-mm) thicknesses and approximately 31,000 square feet
(2,880 m2) of 26-gauge CF-45 Mesa wall panels in Igloo White in
2-inch (51-mm) and 4-inch thicknesses.
Additionally, 12,000 square feet (1,115 m2) of Metl-Span's new
Tuff-Wall panels in Light Stone were used around the two-story
office portion of the building. The panels provide a stucco-like
finish that is highly resistant to impact and abrasion.
"We were looking for a thermally efficient office envelope that
could be easily maintained, was attractive and was compatible with
the rest of the building," Bowser said.
The project also
utilized Metl-Span's ThermalSafe fire-resistive insulated panels
that consist of metal facings bonded to a structural mineral wool
core. Approximately 4,800 square feet (446 m2) of 4-inch Thermal-
Safe panels were used as a firewall around the forklift battery
charge area.
"Building codes required a one-hour separation between the office
and the battery charging station," Bowser said. "ThermalSafe
accomplished that without changing the visual appearance of the
structure and still provided a good R-value."
"We use a lot of Metl-Span panels, but this was our first job with
Tuff-Wall," said David Enoch, project manager at Southwest Vault
Builders, the installer. "I was pleased that it was very easy to
work with. It's definitely a nice way to dress up a metal
building."
Owner: Labatt Food Services, San Antonio
Design-builder: TEAM Group Ltd., Euless, Texas
Installer: Southwest Vault Builders, Lewisville, Texas
Metal wall panels: Metl-Span, Lewisville
www.metl-span.com