VP Buildings Takes Industry Lead in Specifying NIA Certified Faced Metal Building Insulation

Memphis-based VP Buildings, Inc., one the of nation's largest manufacturers of pre-engineered metal buildings, has become the first in the industry to specify NIA certified faced fiber glass insulation for the majority of its metal buildings. NIA certification ensures that the insulation has been laminated according to a specification and meets 100% of the stated R-value. "Not only does NIA Certified Faced Insulation^® deliver a guaranteed R-value which helps our customers achieve the stated performance level of an insulation system, it also helps them comply with the requirements of the ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Code," said Mike McLain, Director of New Product Integration at VP Buildings. McLain said that VP Buildings has always taken an aggressive position in the support of local and model codes. "ASHRAE is a recognized authority in setting standards for thermal performance of buildings," he said. "By making this commitment to specify NIA Certified Faced Insulation^®, we are taking a leadership role in the area of code compliance. "Right now, we are alone in this endeavor, but our desire is to raise enough awareness so that others will follow. Our aim is to improve performance and level the playing field when it comes to certain aspects of designing and constructing a building." VP Buildings' commitment to NIA Certified Faced Insulation^® began a year ago when the company revisited its insulation program with the goal of "providing more value to our builders, who in turn could provide more value to their customers," said McLain. "We developed a laminator agreement that was a first in the industry. It was an important step for us to ensure long-term value for our customers." One of the clauses in the agreement is that each of the laminators must use NAIMA 202-96 certified metal building insulation and be capable of delivering NIA certified product. "While this specification is not required on every building, we are insisting that each laminator has the capacity to provide NIA Certified Faced Insulation^® if requested or required," McLain said. Having the capacity to provide NIA certified product means that laminators must agree to laminate insulation in accordance with the NIA certified faced Standard which addresses quality issues such as adhesives rates, compression ratios, packaging, handling, storage, moisture and other things that can impact the thermal performance of the insulation. And, they must participate in third party testing by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This testing ensures out-of-the-package performance of the faced metal building insulation, thus providing assurance that the product delivers the specified R-value. VP Buildings is one of the nation's largest manufacturers of metal buildings. The company engineers and manufactures pre-engineered, non-residential, low-rise steel buildings for manufacturing, warehousing, school and commercial products. A wholly owned subsidiary of The LTV Corporation, VP markets its products through a network of authorized builders and operates seven manufacturing facilities in the United States. The company has affiliates in China, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Egypt, Spain, Japan and Korea.