Importance of the Contractor
The success of the Goodfellow AFB ESTCP project relied on having a competent multifaceted contractor, capable of installing five unique technologies on the Security Forces building. It was critical the contractor combine the integrated technologies in proper succession for the systems to provide the expected performance.
In addition, installation had to be accomplished within the timeline and in a manner compliant with the many rules and regulations of the military base. Competency of construction and keeping within the rules can be tricky but was done flawlessly with construction management and planning by the contractor, Paramount Metal Systems, Little Rock, Ark. Because of its design and build capabilities, as well as seasoned employees, Paramount Metal Systems was a core member of the ESTCP grant planning team. The firm has installed nearly 100 million square feet of new and retrofit roofing projects. Its team ensured the integrated technologies—sub-purlins, solar-thermal water/air heating, insulation, above-sheathing ventilation and rainwater catchment—were synergized appropriately in one metal roof system.
One cannot overly emphasize the importance of a good contractor to perform what the architect envisions, fulfill what the manufacturers state their products can do and attain what the client foresees as an end result. This is true in any project, including Goodfellow AFB in which the credibility of the integrated roof system is being analyzed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn., and may result in DoD adopting integrated metal roof retrofits throughout its facilities.
PHOTOS: Goodfellow Air Force Base
Online Buzz
View a video that provides an overview of the energy-reduction program at Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, Texas. retrofitTV.com
Materials & Contractor
Thin-film photovoltaics with solar-thermal technology create building-integrated PVthermal, or BIPV-T: Pfister Energy, www.pfisterenergy.com
Sub-purlins: Roof Hugger Inc., www.roofhugger.com
Turnkey contractor: Paramount Metal Systems, www.paramountmetalsystems.com
Metal roof supplier: MBCI, www.mbci.com
Rigid polyisocyanurate insulation board: Dow Building Solutions, www.dowbuildingsolutions.com
Rainwater catchment system: Texas Rainwater Catchment, catchtexasrain.com