Located in Williamstown, Ky., the Ark Encounter, a 510-foot long wooden boat, is designed to be a family-oriented, historically authentic and environmentally friendly attraction. Created by Answers in Genesis (AiG), a Christian ministry, the Ark Encounter opens in July, 2016, and will bring to life the depictions of the historical events of Noah’s Ark.
The Ark Encounter, a $91.5 million project, is phase one of an entire religious theme park. Additional phases to be completed on the 800-acre site include a pre-flood city, a petting zoo and a walk-through aviary. The Creation Museum, an AiG museum located 40 miles from the Ark, was the first job Applied Mechanical Systems, the mechanical contractor for the Ark, did for AiG.
“They liked our work,” said Brian Hogue, plumbing foreman for Applied Mechanical Systems (AMS). “Our mechanical engineers went to Troyer Group, who is constructing the Ark Encounter, about four years ago and helped their engineering firm with code issues and three years later, when they were ready to start construction, they gave us the job.”
Troyer Group specified the use of Viega ProPress for copper for all the potable water lines, in sizes ranging from ½" to 4", and Viega MegaPressG for the natural gas lines, ranging from ½" to 2".
Ronald Troyer, Senior Vice President of Troyer Group, has included Viega products in various projects. He and Hogue emphasized that the flameless technology and ease of use were the motivating factors for specifying Viega.
Flameless install at largest timber-frame structure
“The no-heat and no-flame installation of plumbing piping was a definite plus,” said Troyer. “As with most projects of this scale, meeting a tight construction schedule was also a great fit for Viega products. The ease of installation which equated to cost savings with copper pipe was also a plus.”
Hogue agreed and expressed his appreciation for the overall quality of the Viega products and the difference it made on this project.
“Seeing how this is the largest timber frame wood structure in the world, they did not want open flame in the Ark,” Hogue said. “In my opinion, Viega MegaPress and Viega ProPress fittings are built well. There are a lot fewer leaks than other press manufacturers’ fittings. Plus, you save more time, making them cost effective.”
AMS has been installing Viega system solutions in applications where soldering would be prohibitive, and the time saved gives them the opportunity to stay ahead of the game on many jobs.
“It’s great for shut downs in factories where you don’t have time to worry about draining the system,” Hogue said. “In our Dayton offices, we use it a lot in hospitals, since it is a clean process of joining pipe. I highly recommend Viega systems.”
For more information, visit www.viega.us.
Related Stories
Wood | Oct 24, 2019
Could mass timber be a game changer for stadium design?
Projects throughout the U.S. and Canada showcase the design and environmental traits of large-scale wood sports facilities.
Wood | Oct 2, 2019
Why mass timber?
In a world where the construction industry is responsible for 40% to 50% of CO2 emissions, renewable materials, such as wood, can help mitigate the rate of global warming.
Office Buildings | Sep 25, 2019
'Catalyst' will be Washington’s first CLT office building
Katerra is the design builder for the project with Michael Green Architecture as the design architect.
Industrial Facilities | Sep 24, 2019
Katerra’s new mass timber factory will produce the largest volume of CLT in North America
The factory recently opened in Spokane Valley, Wash.
Codes and Standards | Sep 9, 2019
Free app calculates maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings
A free app that calculates the maximum allowable heights and areas for buildings of various occupancy classifications and types of construction has been released.
Codes and Standards | Aug 29, 2019
Code-conforming wood design guide available
The guide summarizes provisions for the use of wood and wood products in the 2018 IBC.
Wood | Jul 8, 2019
Campaign launched to promote ‘climate-smart wood’
The Forest Stewardship Council and other groups aim to help buyers understand and make it easier to locate lumber that meets sustainable forestry standards.
Sponsored | Wood | Apr 2, 2019
Natural wood plays wellness-focused role in SHoP Architects' latest project
The National Veterans Resource Center, scheduled to be completed in 2020, will highlight warm natural wood in its construction.
Wood | Mar 20, 2019
3XN to design North America’s tallest timber office building in Toronto
The office will rise in the emerging Bayside community.
Wood | Mar 5, 2019
Sweden’s tallest timber building is open for business
C.F. Møller Architects designed the building.