Photo By Sgt. Brandon McCarty | Glencoe Roofing workers spray yellow foam onto the fabric of the gym at Camp Lemonier,...... read more read more
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By Army Sgt. Brandon McCarty
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – Look, it's a huge block of cheese! A big Twinkie? No, it's a piece of the moon! Not really, it's just the camp gymnasium with a face-lift. The modifications are being made in an attempt to save energy by reducing the need for air conditioners running around the clock to keep the large facility cool. The project has been in the works for some time.
"During a visit to Camp Lemonier in late 2006, the camp leadership asked U.S. Army Col. Gregory Tubbs, director of the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force to help them deal with the increasing demand of electrical power," said Dan Nolan, chief of Power Surety Task Force. "As the camp was growing, there was a much greater demand and the electrical system was severely taxed."
In response, Tubbs sent a group of energy experts to do a survey of the camp and found that most of the energy was going to air conditioning.
"(The energy experts) also found that the structures (tents and containerized living units) had poor insulation and lots of air infiltration," Nolan stated. "We were trying to air condition the Horn of Africa!"
After reviewing the concerns for energy conservation, Glencoe Roofing, from Glencoe, Okla., was chosen to make the necessary changes to the exterior of the gym. Glencoe used polyurethane foam and a protective acrylic coating to seal the large canvas area.
"(The foam), which is about two inches thick, is two chemicals that come together at around 140 degrees Fahrenheit and react to create a fast drying foam," said Nolan. "The foam fills all the nooks and crannies, increasing the insulation and dramatically decreasing the air infiltration. When coated with acrylic paint, the foam should last approximately 10 years. Without the paint, ultraviolet rays will deteriorate the material at the rate of about half an inch a year."
By applying this foam on the fabric, the inside temperature in the gym has been reduced by twenty-five degrees next to the fabric surface.
"From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the gym used to be humid and hot," said Ayanle Elmi Ali, Morale, Welfare and Recreation specialist. "Now, it's cold in here all the time!"
For those who work on cardio in the gym, the temperature difference may be alarming.
"It is much cooler around the treadmills and running area, now that the foam has been applied," said Air Force Maj. Richard Harrison, Joint Operations Center executive officer.
Just having two extra inches of foam can make all the cooling difference in the gymnasium, when the heat is on.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2007 08:08 |
| Story ID: | 11672 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
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