A Coastal Detention Holdings, LLC Company
Concrete vs. Steel
- Strength – Our cell has passed the ASTM F2322-03 Standard Test Methods for Physical Assault on Vertical Fixed Barriers for Detention and Correctional Facilities. This test is done with an 80 lb. weight with two tips (blunt and sharp). The wall is struck 600 times, alternating every 50 blows with the different tips. To date, I have not seen data on a concrete cell that has passed this test.
- Weight – Our cells weigh less than 6,000 lbs. per cell versus approximately 32,000 lbs. per concrete cell. This results in significant savings on your foundation costs and gives us more flexibility in the way we install our cells.
- Size – Since we construct our cells out of structural steel plate and channel, our wall thickness is only a shade over 2” compared to 8” CMU filled construction. Depending on the design, our cell can save 14 square feet or more per cell while delivering the same interior square footage. This results in substantial cost savings from a smaller building footprint as well as continuing savings for maintenance, heating, etc.
- Our cell wall can be load bearing. We can support roof loads, wind loads and seismic loads. For the Dept. of Correction in Denver Colorado at DRDC We supported the concrete second floor off the top of our first floor cells. A project for CSNA Architects in Colorado Springs we have designed a pie shaped cell (round building) that will support the six levels of cells plus the interstitial space between each floor. A steel cell will support any load that we design it to carry for less cost per square foot than concrete.
- Finish – MSSI utilizes a powder coat finish that has allowed us to achieve a non-porous surface that is durable, easy to clean and maintain. This eliminates unwanted bacteria, fungus and smells from developing in our cell walls.
- Site – Our cells arrive to the job site completely finished and there is no need for field painting. Our patented and patent-pending interlocking design eliminates the need for welding unsightly seams. Also, site weather conditions or other trade delays have no effect on our delivery schedule. Our product is assembled in a controlled environment and then delivered and set on a pre-determined schedule.
- Installation – A small crew can easily set up to 24 units per day
Size Comparison –
Steel cell vs. Concrete Block Cell
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