May, 18, 2010

What Is I.C.C.
I.C.C. stands for Integral Condensation Control. It provides drip prevention that is integral to the metal roofing and is aimed at saving builders time and labor. I.C.C. is comprised of a polyester fabric with an adhesive glue layer that allows it to be adhered to the wash-coat of metal roofing panels. The fabric is attached to the sheet metal as it is being unwrapped from the coil and is roll formed with the panel, allowing the metal roofing to arrive on the job-site ready for immediate installation.

Why Roof with I.C.C.
Metal roofing with I.C.C. addresses drip prevention in a new way. By providing a wicking material to retain the moisture, condensation is no longer the enemy. This product works with the natural condensation cycle to prevent dripping and is far more durable than barriers. No additional products or inventory are necessary, and because I.C.C. is factory-applied, no additional job-site labor is required. No need to worry about dragging around rolls of paper, plastic or fragile sheets of foam, just install the roof and get the job done.

How Does It Work?
The core of I.C.C. is polyester fleece. When this material is adhered to metal panels, it greatly increases the surface area for moisture to cling to after condensing. The fleece provides hundreds of fibers per square inch for droplets to stick to, thereby greatly increasing the "grip" they have on the interior of the cladding. Dripping occurs when the droplets become too large for their grip, so by increasing the available surface area on the interior of the metal, the amount of moisture that can be retained without dripping is greatly increased. Because of this, a twelve foot panel can retain over half a gallon of condensed moisture.

Where Should I.C.C. Be Used?
Metal roofing with I.C.C. is well suited for a wide variety of applications. Similar products have been available for over 15 years in Europe and have provided successful service on every continent and in nearly every climate in countless applications. Metal roofing with I.C.C. is well suited for self-storage, animal confinement, garages, grain storage, car ports, barns, aircraft hangars, stadiums and literally any other purpose where condensation and drip prevention are of concern.

Additional Advantages of I.C.C.

Reduced Noise
A common concern for owners considering metal roofing is increased noise caused by rain and echoes. Metal roofing with I.CC. offers significant sound deadening abilities, often decreasing rain impact and reflected noise levels by twenty percent.

Fire Rating
Most building codes require faced metal building insulation to have a flame spread rating of 25 or less and a smoke developed rating of 50 or less when tested according to ASTM E84 or UL 723. Metal panels with I.C.C. attached meet these standards.

Rot Resistant
The two components of I.C.C. are synthetic polyester fiber and rubber-based adhesives, neither of which is susceptible to decomposition from bacteria, mold or mildew. These materials are also well suited for cleaning with a hose or pressure washer in the event that they are soiled.

Additional Protection in Corrosive Environments
An unexpected benefit of this product is offered by its rubber adhesive membrane. The adhesive layer acts as a barrier that adds additional protection, isolating the wash-coat of the panel from corrosive vapors often found in structures used for animal confinement. In light of this, an experiment was performed on bare galvanized and Galvalume steel to determine the actual amount of protection offered by the extra layer. The experiment consisted of a 1000 hour test that exposed the interior of panels (with and without I.C.C.) to condensation from heated liquid manure. The results, show a clear indication that metal panels are in fact shielded from the corrosive compounds. These findings strongly suggest that panels with I.C.C. will offer a greatly extended service life in conditions that typically void the paint system warranties.