WATERLOO, IOWA (January 20, 2004) -- Martinson Construction of Waterloo, Iowa has announced their participation in a big local project—the new Cedar Valley Data Center, located in the Industrial Park in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Martinson’s company played a pivotal role in the project, using the time-honored material of concrete throughout for the foundation, walls and roof deck of this $26 million project. They mastered this monumental task relying almost exclusively on concrete construction products from B.E.P.™ Forming Systems, Inc. of Fayetteville, Georgia.

“We are honored to have been selected for this project,” says Dave Martinson, Vice-President of Martinson Construction. “We are also excited to have the chance to promote the benefits of concrete and to use some of the best concrete construction products on the market today.” The 24,000 square-foot building, designed by InVision Architects, is a major expansion of the TEAM Technologies campus sited in the Park. The new facility, which is slated for completion in June 2004, will house one of the largest data centers in the country and the only one in Iowa.

Disaster–resistance, building security, and energy efficiency have been the three over-arching considerations in designing and constructing the new data center. The facility will accommodate up to 20,000 computers and will house backup computer/data information systems for banks, insurance companies and other organizations with sensitive information. InVision Architecture’s Eric Ritland, lead designer of the project, determined that concrete would be the building material best suited to meet the client’s criteria. “It’ll be built like a vault, secure and solid enough to withstand tornadoes or anything else that may come its way,” says Ritland. He also points to concrete’s inherent energy-efficient properties, noting that concrete will allow the building to stay cooler for longer periods of time. The main floor, walls and core deck are all concrete.

Martinson selected B.E.P.’s forms and products because of the company’s reputation for dependability and flexibility. Specifications for the Cedar Valley Data Center include multiple 18-foot high by 16-inch wide steel-reinforced walls, requiring tools and a construction approach that would allow the building team to set and pour massive walls quickly and efficiently. The project called for .125-inch thick face-sheets, pre-seasoned 2-foot to 8-foot by 9-foot smooth rotator panels with customized inside corners, and B.E.P.’s angles and fillers. “We used B.E.P. Big Panels 99% of the time, and when we needed to integrate a traditional 3-foot aluminum panel, it was easy to do so,” states Martinson. The B.E.P. 14-16-18-inch power tie gave them the flexibility and capability to pour a variety of wall thicknesses, 16 inches thick on most pours. The results—flat, straight walls—have pleased Martinson and his client.

Using B.E.P.’s Big Panels has also translated into cost-savings and increased on-the-job safety for Martinson’s company. Jobs of this magnitude typically require 12 people a day over 10 to 12 weeks, hand-setting the job. By utilizing the B.E.P. Big Panel and crane setting the new data center, Martinson used 6 to 8 people a day over a 4-week period on the walls and completing the entire project in just 8 weeks. Martinson has also appreciated B.E.P. from a safety standpoint. “We like the B.E.P. Big Panels because they meet OSHA requirements and can withstand the pressure of the amount of concrete used to pour such thick, large walls,” says Martinson.

Martinson Construction is a third generation family-owned, award-winning concrete construction contractor in Waterloo, Iowa since 1949. They have over 50 employees, and specialize in commercial and residential concrete construction. They were awarded the Concrete Contractor of the Year in 2002 from the Concrete Foundations Association.

For further information and high-resolution photograph contact:

Jennie Peacock
Vice President
B.E.P.™ Forming Systems, Inc.
325 Industrial Way
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-461-7155
866-BEP-FORM (237-3676)
www.bepformingsystem.com

Dave Martinson
Vice President
Martinson Construction
3842 West Airline Hwy.
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
319-232-4000