For Immediate Release
Contact: Dan Tambellini, LarsonO’Brien Marketing Group
Phone: 412-831-1959 x118 E-mail: dan@larsonobrien.com
Date: March 28, 2013
Photos: http://lopressroom.com/Hufcor/MCCC-Operable-Partition
Hufcor’s Massive Post-Katrina Project in Biloxi, Mississippi Serves as a
Rebuilding Model for Areas Impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Hufcor Operable Partitions Provided a Fast, Customized Solution for 400,000 sq. ft.
facility to Rebuild after Katrina Flooding–and to Eliminate or Minimize Damage from
Future Storms
Janesville, WI… Hufcor Inc., the most installed brand of operable partition in the
world, sees the potential for quick, large-scale recovery for buildings damaged by
Hurricane Sandy late last year–an optimism based on its own experience with the
devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. When Katrina hit, Hufcor
designed and installed unique replacement walls at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum
& Convention Center (MCCC) in Biloxi after the storm forced about six feet of water
throughout the lower level of the nearly half-million square foot facility.
Hufcor believes precautions need to be taken against future moisture damage to walls,
and that such precautions are inexpensive and have been developed already because of
Katrina. The unique aspect of MCCC’s replacement walls is that the bottom eight feet
contains two-inch insulation held inside protective bags, sealing the insulation from
penetrating moisture.
Hufcor was no stranger to the MCCC. Previously, in 1989 Hufcor saved the facility
more than $400,000 in cost to upgrade the facility’s existing, competing wall systems.
Then, in 1997, Hufcor was involved from the start, including the design and layout
phases, of a convention center expansion project.
But none of that equaled the call to action Hufcor received after Hurricane Katrina had
pummeled the Gulf Coast. A team swept in to assist with the replacement of 689 flooddamaged wall systems–all the while working within guidelines established by FEMA
(Federal Emergency Management Agency) concerning mitigation.
“Throughout all of these challenges, Hufcor has been there with solutions,” says Bill
Holmes, Executive Director of the MCCC. “Every time we have needed assistance,
whether it was for new walls, parts, maintenance or technical advice, Hufcor has
delivered.”
In the event of a future flood, Hufcor designed and manufactured operable partitions with
no gypsum acoustical liners, referred to as “gypless.”
“Much of the reason standard operable partitions need to be replaced after a water
penetrating event, such as a flood, is due to the moisture that penetrates into the gypsum
acoustical barriers inside the panel,” says Scott Staedter, Senior Manager – Brand
Development for Hufcor. “The gypsum becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew
and must be replaced.”
To guard against this, Hufcor supplied MCCC a gypless construction and increased the
thickness of the steel face skin to maintain the acoustical properties of the wall system.
Other noteworthy features Hufcor applied to MCCC replacement panels and recommends
for facilities along the eastern shore areas affected by super storm Sandy:
1. The thicker steel faces were pre-painted, providing an extra layer of protection against
moisture and potential rusting.
2. Bottom seal mechanisms were plated with specialized zinc, and carriers were made
with stainless steel, rendering both components water resistant.
3. The panels were supplied with high performance woven fabrics that have infused
antimicrobial elements to fight mold and bacteria.
4. For panel constructions over 16’ tall in low lying flood or storm surge regions, install
a two-piece panel so in the event the facility sustains flooding, the lower portion of
the panel can be removed and retrofitted with the costs involved with replacing the
entire panel.
The MCCC says that Hufcor did such an exceptional job it hired the company in 2009 to
provide 186 additional state-of-the-art movable walls for its second phase of construction.
These innovations and Hufcor’s track record have not escaped the attention of people
impacted by Hurricane Sandy last year. Ron Saraco of Metrofold, a Hufcor distributor in
Oceanside, New York (on the south shore of Long Island), says that even though many
people are still waiting for insurance money and government assistance, some have
already decided to install Hufcor operable partitions. The applications have included
funeral homes, schools, a restaurant, and various office spaces along the south shore of
New York.
“I believe more rebuilding and recovery activity is on the horizon once the insurance and
government money finally arrives,” says Saraco. “Facilities planning to rebuild should
look at implementing these simple product modifications to reduce the risk and cost of
replacement in the event a repeat super storm happens. The costs to upgrade to this
design are minimal and helps facilities like hotels, convention centers and restaurants to
be up and running faster and with less costs.”
The MCCC in Biloxi is comprised of a 400,000 square-foot convention center and an
11,500-seat arena. “When it comes to movable walls, our business depends on acoustical
separation between rooms, as well as service, ease of wall movement, and support,” says
Holmes. “We owe a lot of thanks to Hufcor for standing behind their product, designing
custom solutions that meet both our and FEMA recovery requirements and keeping our
wall systems in top condition.”
Hufcor Inc., headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, is the world leader in the
manufacture and distribution of quality flexible space management solutions. Hufcor is
the premier single source provider of Operable Partitions, Movable Glasswall Partitions,
Vertical Lift Partitions, Accordion Partitions, Bi-Fold Doors, and a new luxurious line of
movable Exterior Glass Wall Systems and Sliding Doors. Hufcor has a reputation for
products with exceptional quality and durability. Hufcor partitions are available through
local, factory-trained distributors, offering design assistance as well as installation and
service. For more information about Hufcor partitions, contact your local distributor. To
locate your Hufcor representative, go to www.hufcor.com.