Insulated wall panels are a high-performance building envelope system with many safety and environmental benefits.
The prestressed fabrication of insulated wall panels offer enhanced load-bearing strength and resilience to damage from wind-blown objects, forklift collisions, and even explosions. Their proven resistance to the elements and capacity to remain operational after a catastrophic event makes structures built with insulated wall panels suitable for use as emergency shelters.
The double layer of concrete, which encloses a layer of insulation, reduces indoor temperature fluctuations by slowing the transmission of heat energy through the building envelope. During extreme cold snaps or heat waves, the enhanced thermal properties of insulated wall panels help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without overburdening HVAC systems.
Enclosing insulation inside concrete also provides advantages for fire safety. Protected from flames by a layer of non-combustible concrete, the insulation does not contribute to the fire load. Additionally, the danger of toxic fumes being released by burning insulation is practically eliminated. These attributes contribute to fire ratings of up to three hours for prestressed wall panels. The inherent properties of ISWs satisfy the fireproofing requirements of most building codes, eliminating the need for additional fireproofing and leading to significant cost savings during construction.
Learn more about the benefits of County Prestress & Precast's Insulated Wall Panels by contacting our Customer Service Team at (708) 562-7700.
The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute offers valuable technical resources in their Designer’s Notebook series for designers and engineers. Refer to their publication “High Performance Precast Insulated Sandwich Wall Panels” to learn more.
