Questions and Answers below
Are there any special
requirements for the footing when using the ACTech panel system?
As the
Insulated Panels weigh considerably less than the Concrete Blocks, the
sizes of the required footings are able to be reduced.
When can the panel
erection process begin?
The erection of the panels may begin
immediately upon the removal of form boards, once again due to the light
weight of the Insulated Panels.
* This alone can reduce construction
time by a week or more.
Is
reinforcing steel required?
No vertical reinforcing steel between foundation and walls is required,
thus eliminating the requirements for pouring filled cells, reinforcing
inspection holes and inspections, etc.
*Also, there is no reinforcement steel
required for window and door lintels, thus eliminating the requirements
for forming lintels, pouring lintels, or lintel inspection, etc...
Does the ACTech panel
system require you to provide a poured tie-beam at the upper-level of
walls? There is no
requirement for a poured tie-beam at the upper level of the walls, again
eliminating the costs for forming, installation of reinforcement,
inspections, POURING, REMOVAL OF FORMS, etc.
The possibility of cracking of the wall
construction, water leakage, moisture entrapment in the walls, mold, or
mildew is completely eliminated.
Do I need HURRICANE
strapping for roof framing?
The requirements for embedded strapping for roof framing are totally
eliminated with the ACTech Panel system.
Can the ACTech Panel
System be used as a “shear wall”?
All walls of the Panel System are by design
“shear walls”, thus eliminating special reinforcing requirements as well
as the requirements for “mixed construction” interior to exterior wall
connections.
Is a special header
or jamb frame required at door ways and openings?
With the exception of a double overhead
garage door, no special header or jamb framing is required. The Panel
System assembly creates the required structural framing.
With the ACTech panel
system, are bucks required at doors and windows?
The installation of “bucks” for doors and
windows is eliminated.
What type of
interior or exterior claddings can be used with the ACTech panel system?
Virtually any exterior wall finish may be applied / fastened directly to
the Panels, eliminating furring, etc...
Are furring
strips required to be pressure treated?
Interior furring strips, if used, are not required to be pressure
treated.
Is any
additional wall insulation required?
No, this wall system is insulated with a foam-injected thermal core, which
is injected during the manufacturing process and serves as insulation for
the wall system.
What happens
to the insulation value with this wall system?
The insulation value of the walls is increased significantly.
Does this panel
system provide a thermal break?
All Panel joints are “Thermo-Broken”. There are no thermal paths from the
exterior to the interior of the structure through the wall or roof panels.
Does this panel
system pass the Florida Building Code required strength test?
The Insulated Panels system carries the State of Florida DCA APPROVAL (NO.
FL-5343) AND will withstand a Large Missile Impact in accordance with the
Florida Building Code
Can
additional or revised cuts (openings) be made in existing panel walls?
Additional, revised or relocated openings may be cut into the wall panels
without the requirements for lintels, reinforcing steel, separate concrete
pours, etc...
Can this panel system
be used for the roof system as well as the walls?
The same Insulated Panels are also able to be used for the roof structure,
eliminating the requirements for the installation of roof trusses (Cranes,
additional labor, roof sheathing, etc.) Where applicable they may also be
used for floor structure as well.
Do I need to make
special cuts for electrical outlets or fixtures?
Openings through the walls for electrical outlets, fixtures, plumbing,
etc. are readily cut and able to be completely sealed.
Will the thickness of
the panel make a difference, when applying to a plan drawn for the
traditional method?
An additional 5”+ of perimeter floor area is provided due to the reduced
thickness of the wall structure. (For example, for a 28’ x 50’ (1,400 sq.
ft.) home, this results in an additional 65 sq. ft. of living space (
4.6+%) considering the same site “foot print”.)
If, using the panel
system for the roof, do I need soffit or roof vents?
Utilizing the Panel System for the roof
structure eliminates the requirements for soffit and roof vents.
Furthermore, all ducts, HVAC equipment are now within the conditioned air
space; the preferred location.
*
Any provided “attic spaces” are fully insulated and “conditioned”.
When exposed
to weather, is there any risk of damage to the panel or components prior
to and during erection?
All Panel System components are made of galvanized steel and may be
exposed to weather on the site without risk of damage.
How will I
receive The ACTech Panel System at my specified location?
All Panel System components are normally delivered on one truck and
may be off-loaded by hand or by fork lift (if site space / conditions
permit).
Can the
panel be lifted without heavy equipment rental?
For most one and two storey applications, the Panels may be erected
without the requirement for a crane, lull, fork-lift, etc.
How long
does it take to erect the panel walls?
Total erection time for the structure is measured in days, not
weeks.
Will I need
to hire a professional to erect the panel structure?
Skilled labor is not required for the erection of the Panel System.
Erection crews may be trained in a matter of days.
Is the panel
recyclable? And will trash build-up on construction site be a problem?
Site waste and required clean-up is considerably reduced. The site
remains much cleaner. The majority of all site waste material is able to
be recycled.
