Extreme Conditions

Below find detailed information concerning each of the following topics:

 

General Information

  • All aluminum extrusions are anodized.
  • All steel posts, channels and skins are galvanized or galvanealed.
  • FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics) is an excellent non-corrosive panel surface.
  • Stainless steel is an excellent non-corrosive panel surface.
  • The Super Structure post system is the most flexible as far as alternative materials. This system can be Stainless steel, Unfinished galvanized steel or basically any rigid metal that can be purchased in sheets and bent. The other components such as window frames and door frames can be special fabricated out of the same material.
  • All aluminum systems and components can be coated with powder paint. Other paint types are available through various finishing suppliers

---------- TOP ----------

 

Recommended Panel Systems

All of Modular Offices™ wall systems have been built and tested to withstand temperatures from below freezing up to 120°F. In environments in which you expect temperatures up to 167°F, we recommend using our STEEL SKIN - POLYSTYRENE CORE wall systems. In environments in which you expect temperatures up to 200°F, we recommend using our STEEL SKIN - ISOCYANURATE CORE.

---------- TOP ----------

 

extreme heat

All National systems will handle temperatures to 120 degrees. Unusual heat would be defined as temperatures ranging from 120° - 200° Fahrenheit. The table below demonstrates the maximum sustained constant temperature allowed for each of our typical wall components.

Maximum Temperatures

  Material / Component Temperature (Fahrenheit )
 
Polyestyrene Foam
167°
 
Isocyanurate Foam
200°
 
Honeycomb
120°
 
Vinyl Adhesive
140°
 
Panel Adhesive
150°
 
Contact Adhesive
120°
 
Urethane Adhesive
200°
 
Vinyl
120°
 
Hardboard
120°
 
Gypsum
125°
 
Steel 26ga.
200°

---------- TOP ----------

 

Humidity / Moisture

Areas with high humidity, moisture or the possibility of getting wet should use our exterior system. The vinyl will delaminate on gypsum or hardboard panels in these extreme conditions. The standard roof deck is not water tight, this could be sealed with a heavy plastic sheet when incidental "light" water contact is possible, in more extreme situations a roof panel with silicone caulking should be used. All panels should be laminated using an exterior type glue, the interior water base glue will not hold up.

---------- TOP ----------

 

Cold / Condensation

Most systems can be used for cold environments, however the best systems for cold rooms or coolers would include a foam core and metal skin to handle the sweating (condensation) that will occur. In designing a room where the ambient temperature is greatly different from the inside temperature "Thermal breaks" should be used wherever possible. Thermal breaks would include splitting the base channel and top cap so there is no continuous metal connection going from the outside to the inside. Areas where a thermal break is not available as a standard would be on door jambs and windows, however special fabrication could achieve this but may be to costly to be practical.

---------- TOP ----------

 

Food Processing

Most plants in this requirement are looking for USDA approved finishes. Our standard steel skins use USDA approved paints, as an alternative skin FRP is an approved surface. All windows must use a shatter resistant polycarbonate pane such as Lexan.

---------- TOP ----------

 

Corrosive Environments

Corrosive environments usually have chemicals that will react on metal surfaces that have not been treated or painted with a special paint. Because there are many different areas that have their own requirements, we do not suggest purchasing a single wall system for your whole installation -- In such cases, we suggest contacting us with your specific needs so that we may recommend the best wall system for you particular specifications.

---------- TOP ----------