Factory-Sealed Snap Lock Pipe and Fittings Installed at Illinois Hospital
In Spring 2015, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital received approval to move from downtown Belleville, IL, to O’Fallon, IL. This resulted in the construction of a new $253 million replacement facility that broke ground in 2016 and is scheduled to open in fall 2017. It will feature 144 beds and a total of 344,000 square feet of space.
Specifying the Right Sheet Metal System
Richard Lackey at icon Mechanical, based in Granite City, IL, specified the forced air duct systems on the project. For all low-pressure piping downstream of the terminal box – which has to be sealed to a Class A rating – he chose the GreenSeam Plus factory sealed snap lock pipe system from GreenSeam Industries (GSI), a subsidiary of DMI Companies.
Proper sealing of the duct system is a critical step in every HVAC system installation. If there is faulty sealing, you can have leakage problems that can place strain on the HVAC system while increasing energy costs.
The GreenSeam Plus system features a pre-installed gasket that seals the longitudinal seam and the traverse joint once snapped together. The system is designed and tested to surpass SMACNA Class 3 leakage standards. With factory sealed joints, low-leakage hardware and zero-VOC gaskets, contractors have the freedom to install a pre-sealed system to save time and money that results in a very attractive installation.
With more than four decades of industry experience, Lackey said, “Snap lock systems used to have a bad reputation because they were thought to cause ‘doglegging’ and uneven runs of pipe, sometimes resulting in leaks. But, the GreenSeam Plus system is proven to provide straight pipe runs, a tight seal and it’s quick and easy to install, saving significant labor costs because additional sealing isn’t needed.” In addition to healthcare and educational facilities, icon Mechanical provides design-build services for commercial office buildings, high tech and biotech laboratories and heavy industrial clients.
Big Labor Savings
“This project was the first where we used the GreenSeam Plus system,” said Lackey. “The installers really like the product because it’s fast to install and works so well. As a result, it’s the only product we use on all low-pressure pipe systems.” In addition to healthcare and educational facilities, icon Mechanical provides design-build services for commercial office buildings, high-tech and bio-tech laboratories, and heavy industrial clients across the United States.
Installation for the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital project was completed by France Mechanical and Hoch Mechanical. Lackey said he heard nothing but excellent reviews from both contracting companies about the quality of the product and ease of installation. In terms of cost savings, he said, “We typically see a savings of at least 20-30 percent on field labor with this system because once each section is snapped into place, it’s done. There is no need to go back and apply sealant to each joint, which also saves on material costs.”
Supplying a Large, Successful Job
American Metals Supply Company, located in St. Louis, MO, supplied the more than 10,000 feet of GreenSeam Plus pipe, along with hundreds of adjustable elbows and airtites with dampers. Pipe and fitting size ranged from 6-14 inches in diameter.
Jon Fleming, territory manager at American Metals Supply, said, “The two biggest advantages of the GSI system are labor savings and aesthetics. Once the sections of pipe are snapped together, an airtight seal is formed. Installers don’t need to go back to seal each joint. Also, when they leave the project, they can look at their work with pride when they see a flawless, visually attractive job without the traditional sealant being smeared over each joint.”
Fleming added, “Code enforcers are getting more strict all the time for both commercial and residential projects, and specifiers and contractors are using snap lock pipe more and more. The GreenSeam Plus system really seems to be the direction where things are moving and the wave of the future.”
Project:
HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
O’Fallon, Illinois
Specifier:
icon Mechanical
Distributor:
American Metals Supply Co.
Contractors:
France Mechanical
Hoch Mechanical
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