commercial projects
Alpine Insulation is the only Victoria based insulation company that can manage large, multi-service commercial building projects independently. Our experienced staff, estimators and manpower enable us to succeed at larger projects as we can dedicate the resources that are required to meet the ever changing timetable that often accompanies commercial building.
Alpine is bond-able and is familiar with Contractor Default Insurance programs such as Subguard from Zurich. While we are much more comfortable providing bonding, we will discuss any project with a client. We have long-term relationships with most of the commercial builders on the Island, and have been in business for over 42 years; which is the most valuable pre-qualification status any project owner could ask for.
Listed below are the key areas of your home that you should consider evaluating when beginning a commercial build.
Polyurethane:
The most common type of spray foam insulation, was developed and used by the military in the 1940s and applied to airplanes. It wasn’t until the 1970s that it started to be used as foam insulation. The vapours that are present when spraying and for a period of time after spraying can have serious health implications if proper protocols aren’t followed. When quality foam is applied in a proper manner, the material stops off-gassing within 24 hours and becomes completely inert. Spray foam comes in different types. Spray foam insulation can be categorized into two different types: open cell and closed cell.
Open Cell Foam Insulation:
Open cell is a type of foam where the tiny cells are not completely closed. Open cell is less expensive because it uses fewer chemicals. It is a very good air barrier but does not provide any type of water vapour barrier. It is much more sponge-like in appearance. It is often used for interior walls because it provides sound reduction by damping the movement of existing insulation. It is not recommended for outdoor applications or where moisture may be present.
Closed Cell Foam Insulation:
Closed cell foam insulation is much denser than open cell. It has a smaller, more compact cell structure. It is a very good air barrier as well as a water vapor barrier. It is often used in roofing projects or other outdoor applications, but can be used anywhere in the home.
What are the potential health impacts of spray foam vapours?
While being applied and during curing, spray foam emits a gas that can cause blurred vision and trouble breathing. The Isocyanates that are contained in sprayed foam are also in most building products within your home. They are inert once they have cured, however they can be powerful irritants to the eyes, gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts before cured. Direct skin contact with isocyanates can cause marked inflammation and some people say that their eyes feel like they have sand in them at the onset of problems. Overexposure to isocyanates can sensitize people, making them subject to asthma attacks if they are exposed again. Respiratory irritation may progress to a chemical bronchitis. Future exposures can make the onset easier with less isocyanate needed to start an attack. Sporadic cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) have also been reported in workers exposed to isocyanates. Individuals with acute HP typically develop symptoms 4-6 hours after exposure. This is why it is so important for anyone working around sprayed foam take the proper precautions to prevent exposure during its application. Quality foams in recent years have nearly eliminated of these problems; however some problems still arise with untested and non-certified foams or when foam is installed improperly. Once cured, a quality foam becomes inert. Alpine has a detailed exposure control plan in place with protocols to protect workers and homeowners from exposure.
Alpine’s Safe Work Protocols and Exposure Control Plan
Alpine Insulation has developed a detailed Exposure Control Plan which outlines all of the environmental health and safety protocols that must be followed by those working with or around the product to avoid negative impacts from its use. This has been submitted to and accepted by WorksafeBC as meeting a standard acceptable to the board. This document is available to any Alpine customer for their review and education. All of Alpine’s spray foam crews have been educated and trained in its content and application. Alpine Insulation Ltd. often cannot restrict or control access to multi-use work areas or private property; however, sprayforam crews post signs identifying the need for respiratory protection, poly off work areas and will not spray if they are aware that an unprotected individual is in close proximity to their work area. It is highly recommended that all homeowners and other trades vacate the area that is being sprayed for a period of 24 hours, until after the product has cured. If a poor quality product is used or is not installed properly, it can off-gas for a much longer period of time. That is why it is so important that customers know that their contractor is using a high quality, certified product in the proper manner.
What we do to ensure safe use and proper application of SPF (Product choice, Third Party Training, Adherence to National Standards, our Quality Assurance Program & Third Party Warranty)
Some benefits of using SPF:
- Caliber Quality Solutions
- Commercial and Residential Applications
- Marine Applications such as Boats and Docks
- Exterior Building Envelope Applications
Monoglass® Insulation is a spray applied, non-combustible thermal and acoustic insulation material. Since 1979 Monoglass® has been the leading spray applied glass fiber insulation in North America.
Monoglass® provides architects and building owners with a solution to difficult to insulate areas. Monoglass® can be applied to concrete, steel, wood, glass, gypsum, fireproofing or other insulation materials. It can be sprayed to a depth of 5″ / 125mm on to almost any surface configuration to achieve an R-20 without need for mechanical support.
“Green Spec” lists Monoglass® as a green building product. Monoglass® is non-toxic and contains post-consumer re-cycled glass. Because Monoglass® is inorganic, it will not support mold or bacterial growth.
Across Canada in diverse climate conditions, Monoglass® permanently maintains our environment – warm / cold and quiet.
Monoglass® is a complete system of soft glass fibres combined with patented binders that are machine applied to a carpet-like texture, trapping air, for high thermal insulation and sound energy absorption. Upon curing, the systems adhesives are not chemically or water soluble – assuring permanent performance. It is non-combustible, and complies with or exceeds applicable Canadian building codes allowing use in all building structures.
There is noise that is created when objects make contact with the floor surface above. The harder the materials are that are making contact, the louder the noise. (Hardwood floors are particularly bad for creating this kind of noise.) This type of noise can largely be eliminated with the installation of carpeting or area rugs.
There is also noise created when there is no insulation between floors. Insulation acts as a baffle and mutes the sound that comes from above. If the noise that you are hearing is hollow or drum-like, you can probably eliminate it by blowing insulation into the cavity between the floor joists in the ceiling. Alpine will drill a series of 2 inch holes in your ceiling and then fill the joist cavities using our dense pack pressurized hose injection system. Upon completion, we will patch and texture the holes that were created making our best efforts to match the original finish.
Finally, there is vibrational noise which is a result of the transfer of sound through building materials. Drop ceilings or res bar can help to reduce this kind of noise but typically these systems cost at least double what the other two options cost combined. Understanding what type of noise you are trying to eliminate is a critical first step when looking at possible solutions for your noise problems.
Monokote Fireproofing:
Monokote cementitious fireproofing offers many significant advantages to the architect, owner, applicator and building occupant. These include:
- Proven in-place performance
- Low in-place cost
- Fast, efficient application
- UL fire tested and factory inspected
- Building Code compliant (ICBO, SBCCI, BOCA, ICC)
Monokote Fireproofing is a cementitious spray-applied material, was developed by Grace Construction Products to provide high fire resistance with fast, reliable application and low in-place cost. Monokote is easily spray-applied directly to steel, concrete and other substrates requiring fire protection. It is a single component, mill-mixed plaster which requires only the addition of water on the job site to form a consistent, pumpable slurry.
HiBAR Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Material (SFRM):
HiBAR is a ULC listed, spray applied semi cementitious mineral fibre insulation, for fire rating structural steel. HiBAR also has thermal and acoustical properties. It can be spray applied over rigid structural substrates and exterior of partition walls. It provides acoustical treatment for ceilings and walls in noisy production areas or large rooms such as gymnasiums or swimming pools where both sound absorption and aesthetic enhancement is desired. Condensation control is also provided on exposed structural components that are in contact with cold exterior surfaces.
Basic Uses
- Spray-applied fireproofing for use over rigid structural substrates such as open web steel joists, beams, colums, floor/ceiling assemblies and exterior or partition wall units.
- Thermal insulation for prefabricated mental buildings, corrugated metal roof assemblies, underside of concrete slabs and masonary or metal wall assemblies.
- Spray-applied acoustical treatment for ceilings and upper walls in noisy production areas or in large rooms such as gymnasiums or swimming pools where both sound absorption and aesthetic enhancement is desired.
- Spray-applied treatment to provide condensation control on exposed structural components that are in contact with cold exterior surfaces.
