WestCon Tribune

January 1999

JANUARY MEETING

POLYSTYRENE / CONCRETE BUILDING SYSTEMS
Presented by: Frank McMichael, Director of Marketing,
Parnum Paving Distributor for Blue Maxx(TM)Systems

Combining a polystyrene block with concrete for fast, simple and sturdy building is a technology being explored more widely and frequently. Its combined benefits of superior insulation, sound absorption, design flexibility, time-efficiency and durability are hard to match, much less top.

The building process is simple. The polystyrene blocks act as concrete forms, locking together to create the building wall forms. A patented metal web form is placed within the block at intervals to help secure the interior reinforcing bar. As walls go up, window openings and service conduit penetrations are made easily and quickly. Concrete is then poured into the interior block cores, where it cures under optimal conditions. The polystyrene block remains in place to serve as insulation, sound absorption air and vapor barrier. Any exterior and / or interior finishing surface selected by the client is then installed.

Despite the ease of assembly, AAB insists that every builder or installer working with the product enroll in the company's training program, which includes classroom instruction and field inspection.

The Blue Maxx(TM) system offers sound absorption with an STC (minimum Sound Transmission Classification) rating of 50, three hours protection form fire damage and high energy efficiency (generally allowing for the use of a smaller HVAC system and significant cost savings) due to its continuous concrete thermal mass, without spaces or studs to leak air. AAB claims Blue Maxx(TM) performance exceeds that of a wood-framed insulated wall rated R-50. The block is 'healthy', releasing minimal amounts of volatile organic compounds and no toxic CFC's, HFC's or formaldehyde used in its manufacturing process.

Mr. McMichael is the Director of Marketing for Parnum Paving, an original "mom and pop" organization that has grown into a successful Ready-mix materials company, which now owns quarries and does paving and heavy highway construction. One retail operation of Parnum Paving is the Blue Maxx building system. Mr. McMichael is experienced in the application and presentation of the Blue Maxx(TM) version of the foam block and concrete version of this new technology of construction.

Mr. McMichael will be discussing ICF's (Insolated Concrete Forms) as a generic building material and explain the technical aspects involved. He will bring product samples and be showing slides of current projects and slides that demonstrate the use and application of this new building system in residential, industrial and commercial building. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

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