Commercial Building - Condensation Control with Icynene
Synopsis:
- Icynene® solved the condensation and moisture problem
- Icynene® was the most cost effective and least disruptive solution
- Icynene® eliminated the need to clean the application surface
The Problem
Boulineau's is a quality grocery and department store located in the resort area of North Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina. In this hot, humid climate, the design cooling temperature is 92 degrees and summertime
relative humidity levels often reach 90% and higher.
The walk-in freezers and chillers for Boulineau's are located on the second floor of the store, directly above
the shopping area. The second story floor area under the chillers and walk-in freezers was not insulated,
thereby causing the first floor ceiling area under the chillers and walk-in freezers to be extremely cold.
Condensation then formed as the ambient air came into contact with the cold area located under the chillers
and walk-in freezers.
The condensation would then drip down onto the suspended ceiling tiles located below, causing stains and
discoloration. The management of the store were also concerned about the possibility that water could
eventually end up on the floor, causing one of their customers to slip and fall.
The Solution - Insulate with Icynene®
The local Icynene Licensed Dealer, Sprayseal Insulation, was contacted to review the situation and design an
insulation solution that would correct the problem.
Sprayseal concluded that to prevent the formation of condensation on the metal ceiling deck, 3 inches of
The Icynene Insulation System® would be applied directly to the affected area. One ceiling tile at a time was
removed to provide access to the area between the dropped ceiling and the metal decking. Icynene®
insulation was then applied directly to the metal decking, with the area below protected from over-spray by
the remaining ceiling tiles. This spraying process was repeated until the entire area that had been producing
condensation was covered.
Why The Icynene Insulation System®?:
- The key to preventing the formation of condensation in the affected area was to stop the
warm moist ambient air from coming into contact with the cold ceiling surface. Icynene®
was selected because it is both a conductive insulator and air barrier.
- The limited access through the single ceiling tile would make it difficult and time
consuming to dry and clean the surface of the metal decking. Because of its tenacious
adhesion characteristics,The Icynene Insulation System® could be applied directly to the
untreated and wet metal surface.
- The movement of store inventory would cause the second level floor / first floor ceiling
deck to vibrate and move. The flexible characteristic of Icynene® allows for movement in
the roof deck and eliminates any concerns of de-lamination that is usually associated
with other types of insulation.
- The Icynene Insulation System® will not wick water or exhibit any capillary action. If
there were a leak in the chillers or walk-in freezers that infiltrated through the second
floor, gravity will eventually pull the water directly through the Icynene® foam. Icynene®
would remain attached to the metal ceiling deck throughout the duration of the leak and
return to peak performance once it had dried.
- Application of The Icynene Insulation System® provided the management of Boulineau's
with an effective solution to their problem and minimized the disruption to store
operations.
The Results
There has been no condensation in the area under the chillers and walk-in freezers where The Icynene
Insulation System® had been applied.
Icynene® in a Commercial Application:
- Solved a condensation and moisture problem
- Did not require cleaning of the metal decking prior to installation
- Minimized disruption to on-going operations
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