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
