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Progressive Materials

Silicone Roofing Systems

Project Profile: How a Natural Disaster United a Region

Henryville Schools, Indiana

BACKGROUND

Located in the Western portion of Clark County, Indiana, the Henryville school district manages two complexes on the same property. Henryville Elementary houses approximately 700 students and is located on the left portion of the school building. Henryville Junior and Senior High accommodates 550 students and is directly adjacent to the elementary school.

Henryville High School
Tornado damage to the Henryville school buildings was extensive, with entire portions of the buildings demolished. The tedious process of removing damaged sections and rebuilding occurred around the clock. Within 6 months the entire structure had been rebuilt for the start of the next school year. The new roofing system takes advantage of cutting edge technology and is now sustainable and energy efficient.

PROBLEM

On Friday, March 2, 2012, the Midwest portion of the United States was under a severe weather watch. Southern Indiana and Louisville (KY) were under a tornado warning for several hours. The principal at Henryville High School decided to dismiss students 20 minutes earlier than their normal dismissal time due to the severe weather watch, and it truly was a life-saving decision.

This image offers a view into the tragedy that occurred on that day: the entire gymnasium wall and most of the roof destroyed.
This image offers a view into the tragedy that occurred on that day: the entire gymnasium wall and most of the roof destroyed.

Shortly after the students’ dismissal, a tornado of 170 miles per hour nearly demolished the entire school complex. There was roof damage, structural steel damage, drywall damage, brick damage, and doors and windows blown out.

Since the two distinct buildings were a combination of various roofing materials of varying ages, all roofing needed to be removed and replaced. The damage was so extensive that multiple teams of construction crews needed to work simultaneously. But, no work could be started on the interior of the building until the roof had been totally removed and replaced. This created a major time-crunch for whoever was responsible for the roofing project.

In addition, demolitions and reconstruction had to occur quickly to establish some normalcy in the community. The goal was to temporarily house the students in different locations and have the school completely rebuilt by the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

SOLUTION

Insulated Roofing Contractors was the company chosen to replace the roof. They mobilized five crews working around the clock for six weeks to remove the old roofing products and install the Progressive Materials spray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof system.

The scope of work for the roofing contractor on the 120,000 square foot facility included:

  • Removal of the remaining roofing materials
  • Removal of the entire poured gypsum roof deck
  • Installation of new 22 gauge metal roof deck
  • Installation of new insulation board
  • Installation of the new Progressive Materials SPF roof system consisting of 1.5” of SF 4228 spray foam and 25 mils of low solids silicone coating

BENEFITS

The new roofing system installed at the Henryville school complex offers these superior long-term benefits not realized by their prior roof system:

  • Enhanced resistance to wind and hail
  • Seamless waterproof barrier
  • Highest R-value insulation available
  • Reduced heat-island effect
  • Eco-friendly renewable surface
  • Very low maintenance

The fast work and dedication of the roofing contractor allowed the community to quickly rebuild the Henryville school complex. By using Progressive Materials’ SPF roof system as the roofing surface, the school district can rest assured their building is taken care of thanks to the Progressive Materials 20-year full system warranty.