Indoor Practice Facility, University of Wyoming
Posted
06/29/2011
Indoor Practice Facility, University of Wyoming,
Laramie, Wyo.
The University recently got a new 80,000-squarefoot indoor
practice facility for the football team that has a full-size,
100-yard by 50-yard football field covered by an artificial
surface. The soccer team also practices at this facility.
The architects at MKK
Consulting Engineers Inc. were looking for an energy-saving
device because of the amount of ventilation needed
for the space.Urged by the university, they turned
to ATAS International Inc. and its InSpire wall
system. Gregg L. Moon, LEED AP, QCxP, an associate
with MKK Consulting Engineers, notes, "The owner desired
to have the system, and it seemed to be a good fit for the
application of the project."
InSpire is a transpired solar collector system consisting
of perforated metal wall panels that are supplied by ATAS, as
well as fans, dampers, ducts, ventilation components and
control system from outside vendors. For this installation,
the panels are 0.032-aluminum in Butler Terra Brown.
Typical installation consists of mounting the wall panels 4
to 8 inches from the outer wall of the building. Ventilation
fans at the top of the wall draw the outside air on the warm
surface of the panel through the perforations and into the
wall cavity. The pre-heated air is then passed into
conventional ductwork of the building's ventilation system.
In the summer, the system prevents normal solar radiation
from striking the building's main wall. Hot air is thermally
siphoned up the wall and vented through holes at the top of
the system, leaving the main wall cooler. Bypass louvers also
can be used in the summer to allow fresh air to be drawn
into the building, maintaining indoor air quality.
"It is no wonder the university was interested in this
system for the facility's ventilation needs, but InSpire also
will save the university money over the long term," says Jim
Bush, vice president of sales for ATAS. "InSpire reduces
annual energy consumption by 1 to 2 therms per square foot
of collector, and it lowers annual heating costs by $1.50
to $5.50 per square foot of collector, depending on the fuel
replaced. This results in typical paybacks of three to eight
years."
Architect: MKK Consulting Engineers Inc., Cheyenne,
Wyo.
Installer: Delta Construction, Fort Collins,
Colo.
Distributor: Riddel & Co., Englewood,
Colo.
InSpire wall system: ATAS International
Inc., Allentown, Pa., www.atas.com, Circle #67