Paint and Coatings Industry News

Main News Page

Gaco Pitches New Foam-Insulated Shelter Structure

Friday, March 12, 2010

Gaco Western, a manufacturer of elastomeric coatings and polyurethane spray foam (SPF), announced an enhancement of its GacoSafe Tent with the introduction of GacoShelter, described as an insulated tent structure built for rapid-response shelter solutions for military and other uses.

The company says the structure, which uses SPF to provide energy efficiency in the emergency-shelter structure, can address shelter needs in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and in regions experiencing natural disasters such as Haiti and Chile.

Gaco Western says it was the first polyurethane-foam insulation manufacturer to work with the military with SPF tents in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009, Gaco developed the GacoSafeTent as an alternative to the military’s general-purpose medium-size tent, which did not offer insulation for climate control within the tent or noise-reduction properties. Through additional research, testing and technological advances, the GacoSafeTent has evolved into the GacoShelter, the company says.

In an interview with PaintSquare News, Chuck Skalski, vice president of Gaco Western’s commercial division, said conventional military tents are “heavy and energy inefficient. We came up with a design that accepts SPF.” The tent structure is made of CPVC piping, which he said is stronger than conventional PVC, with a thicker wall size for greater stability. A lightweight vinyl fabric provides the tent cover. The SPV is applied to the fabric in a thin coat, which expands and cures to a thickness of approximately 1 inch. The cured SPF then is coated with a spray-applied, solvent-free silicone coating.

The CPVC piping also houses an electrical system for eight dual-recepticle outlets and four heavy-duty fluorescent lights. “It’s pre-wired as a kit,” Skalski said. “This provides for the safest type of electrical installation.” Another inch of spf is applied to the inside surface of the vinyl tent cover. “Then you have a complete R14 insulated structure.

“We took the technology learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, and adapted it for use anywhere in the world,” Skalski said.

The company says the shelter meets domestic codes for energy, fire safety, electrical (single 20-amp connection), structural, wind load, and snow load. The structure can be erected in 90 minutes, is lightweight, can be manufactured in varying sizes, and can be modified for a long-term shelter solution.

Spray polyurethane foam, commonly referred to as SPF, is a spray-applied insulating foam plastic that is installed as a liquid and then expands many times its original size. The cured foam is strong but flexible, wind resistant, and carries a high insulating R value. Typical applications include commercial roofing systems, wall insulation, cold-vessel insulation, and sealants.

Gaco Western, based in Seattle, WA, is a manufacturer of elastomeric coatings and polyurethane spray foam for the construction and waterproofing industries. Products include roof coatings, insulation, and deck coatings.