Hufcor’s Post-Katrina Project in Biloxi Serves as a Rebuilding Model for Sandy-Impacted Areas

JANESVILLE, Wis. - March 28, 2013 - PRLog -- Contact: Dan Tambellini, LarsonO’Brien Marketing Group

Phone: 412-831-1959 x118 E-mail: dan@larsonobrien.com

PHOTOS: http://lopressroom.com/Hufcor/MCCC-Operable-Partition

Janesville, WI…Hufcor Inc., the most installed brand of operable partition in the world, sees the potential for quick, large-scale recovery for buildings damaged by Hurricane Sandy late last year–an optimism based on its own experience with the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. When Katrina hit, Hufcor designed and installed unique replacement walls at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center (MCCC) in Biloxi after the storm forced about six feet of water throughout the lower level of the nearly half-million square foot facility.

Hufcor believes precautions need to be taken against future moisture damage to walls, and that such precautions are inexpensive and have been developed already because of Katrina. The unique aspect of MCCC’s replacement walls is that the bottom eight feet contains two-inch insulation held inside protective bags, sealing the insulation from penetrating moisture.

Hufcor was no stranger to the MCCC.  Previously, in 1989 Hufcor saved the facility more than $400,000 in cost to upgrade the facility’s existing, competing wall systems. Then, in 1997, Hufcor was involved from the start, including the design and layout phases, of a convention center expansion project.

But none of that equaled the call to action Hufcor received after Hurricane Katrina had pummeled the Gulf Coast.  A team swept in to assist with the replacement of 689 flood-damaged wall systems–all the while working within guidelines established by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) concerning mitigation.

“Throughout all of these challenges, Hufcor has been there with solutions,” says Bill Holmes, Executive Director of the MCCC. “Every time we have needed assistance, whether it was for new walls, parts, maintenance or technical advice, Hufcor has delivered.”

In the event of a future flood, Hufcor designed and manufactured operable partitions with no gypsum acoustical liners, referred to as “gypless.”

“Much of the reason standard operable partitions need to be replaced after a water penetrating event, such as a flood, is due to the moisture that penetrates into the gypsum acoustical barriers inside the panel,” says Scott Staedter, Senior Manager – Brand Development for Hufcor.  “The gypsum becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew and must be replaced.”

To guard against this, Hufcor supplied MCCC a gypless construction and increased the thickness of the steel face skin to maintain the acoustical properties of the wall system.

Other noteworthy features Hufcor applied to MCCC replacement panels and recommends for facilities along the eastern shore areas affected by super storm Sandy:

1. The thicker steel faces were pre-painted, providing an extra layer of protection against moisture and potential rusting.

2. Bottom seal mechanisms were plated with specialized zinc, and carriers were made with stainless steel, rendering both components water resistant.

3. The panels were supplied with high performance woven fabrics that have infused antimicrobial elements to fight mold and bacteria.

4. For panel constructions over 16’ tall in low lying flood or storm surge regions, install a two-piece panel so in the event the facility sustains flooding, the lower portion of the panel can be removed and retrofitted with the costs involved with replacing the entire panel.

The MCCC says that Hufcor did such an exceptional job it hired the company in 2009 to provide 186 additional state-of-the-art movable walls for its second phase of construction.

These innovations and Hufcor’s track record have not escaped the attention of people impacted by Hurricane Sandy last year.  Ron Saraco of Metrofold, a Hufcor distributor in Oceanside, New York (on the south shore of Long Island), says that even though many people are still waiting for insurance money and government assistance, some have already decided to install Hufcor operable partitions.  The applications have included funeral homes, schools, a restaurant, and various office spaces along the south shore of New York.

“I believe more rebuilding and recovery activity is on the horizon once the insurance and government money finally arrives,” says Saraco. “Facilities planning to rebuild should look at implementing these simple product modifications to reduce the risk and cost of replacement in the event a repeat super storm happens. The costs to upgrade to this design are minimal and helps facilities like hotels, convention centers and restaurants to be up and running faster and with less costs.”

The MCCC in Biloxi is comprised of a 400,000 square-foot convention center and an 11,500-seat arena.  “When it comes to movable walls, our business depends on acoustical separation between rooms, as well as service, ease of wall movement, and support,” says Holmes. “We owe a lot of thanks to Hufcor for standing behind their product, designing custom solutions that meet both our and FEMA recovery requirements and keeping our wall systems in top condition.”

Hufcor Inc., headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, is the world leader in the manufacture and distribution of quality flexible space management solutions. Hufcor is the premier single source provider of Operable Partitions, Movable Glasswall Partitions, Vertical Lift Partitions, Accordion Partitions, Bi-Fold Doors, and a new luxurious line of movable Exterior Glass Wall Systems and Sliding Doors. Hufcor has a reputation for products with exceptional quality and durability. Hufcor partitions are available through local, factory-trained distributors, offering design assistance as well as installation and service. For more information about Hufcor partitions, contact your local distributor. To locate your Hufcor representative, go to www.hufcor.com.