Kuwait

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Author Message Di Ann Hassloch, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: dhassloch Post Number: 12 Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 12:23 pm:    We are preparing outline specifications for a project in Kuwait. I've been charged with considering the effects of the extreme temperatures and sandstorms on the products and systems we specify. Could anyone point me to resources to aid in this research? Thanks! Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 751 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - 03:06 pm:    Speaking from six months' experience being deployed to the location, the temperatures really aren't that much different than what is experienced here in Phoenix (maybe by about 3 or 4 degrees higher). Phoenix's highest recorded temperature is 122 degrees F; Kuwait has a record high of 126 degrees F (52 degrees C). So, if it works in Phoenix, it should work in Kuwait. Sandstorms didn't seem to be as much a problem as Iraq experiences, but they do occur. As to how it affects products and systems, well, that depends on what types of products and systems and where they're located. Inside a building, the sand isn't much of a problem except when it gets tracked in and custodial services don't clean regularly (We had somebody clean every other day). If outside, the sand can be very abrasive, so if the product or system is exposed, that should be a consideration. For mechanical equipment, filters and protection are a must; otherwise, sand will be brought into the building through the outside air intake and also work its way into mechanical components. Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP RLGA Technical Services www.specsandcodes.com Di Ann Hassloch, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: dhassloch Post Number: 13 Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 05:36 pm:    Thank you, Ronald. I've also been told to use a Kynar system with a clear coat to protect the aluminum from the sand. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 313 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 06:14 pm:    Probably will need sand trap louvers; these are installed behind the exterior architectural louvers. They consist of vertical overlapping channels, within a perimeter frame, that trap most sand and allow it to be funneled or drained out at the bottom of the louver. Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 179 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 06:23 pm:    Dave, Please name names. Is there a manufacturer of sand trap louvers? Di, Please post DFT for the color coat and clear coat or other unit of measurement. I have a project an Abu Dhabi. Thanks Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 665 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 07:17 pm:    Wayne, we are also preparing specs for a project in Abu Dhabi and have been told to follow the Fluoropolymer spec that we typically use in South Florida and has been tested for 20 years: "Fluoropolymer Three-Coat System: Manufacturer's standard three-coat, thermocured system consisting of specially formulated inhibitive primer, fluoropolymer color coat, and a clear fuoropolymer top coat, with both the color and clear coats containing not less than 70 percent polyvinylidene fluoride resin by weight. Prepare, pretreat, and apply coating to exposed metal surfaces to comply with AAMA 2605 and with coating and resin manufacturers' written instructions. Provide coating which has been field tested under normal range of weathering conditions for a minium of 20 years without significant peel, blister, flake, chip, crack, or check in the finish, and without chalking in excess of 8 (ASTM D 4214) and without fading in excess of 5 NBS units. Paint system shall provide 1.60 mil dry film thickness consisting of 0.25 (+/- .05) mil primer, minimum 1.0 mil colorcoat, 0.40 (+/- .20) mil clear top coat." Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 314 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2009 - 10:35 pm:    Wayne: Google "sand trap louvers". Mostly British and Middle Eastern manufacturers, not the usual US louver manufacturers Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 180 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 11:16 am:    Thank you Jerome and Dave. Jerome, In South Florida, do you ever use clear anodized or do you stick with the Fluoropolymer 3-coat system to look like clear anodized? Dave, This is my first encounter with a sand trap louver. Details are sketchy from the middle east manufacturers. The majority appear to be surface mounted to the face of the exterior enclosure. The example projects shown are vague at best. Can you explain how these louvers interface with the exterior wall assemblies? Wayne Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 315 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 11:36 am:    This is my first project with them too, Wayne. I had included them in the DD specification, but for CD they will be specified by the mechanical engineer so I have not been involved with further details. My understanding is that they typically are mounted behind the exterior (architectural) louver, though if appearance is not an issue, they could be exposed to view and serve as the sole louver. Because of the arrangement of the channel "baffles" they will have an influence on free area and that needs to be taken into account in sizing the louvers. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 666 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 11:43 am:    Some architects still specify Anodize Class 1, the anodized surfaces usually start pitting after a year, but for some that is not an issue. We also see polyester and even acrylic coatings specified, I won't spec those without a hold harmless from a client for South Florida work; we have specified anodize for work in Orlando, less salt in air in Orlando. We have had success specifying PPG's Duranar Sunstorm Arcadia Silver in lieu of anodize, you should ask your local PPG rep for a color sample on aluminum and compare it to clear anodize. Mark Gilligan SE, CSI Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 152 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 - 01:02 pm:    Dave, It has been my experience that many mechanical engineers do not specify louvers