Modular Inplant Offices
Modular inplant offices are an easy and economical method for adding extra workspace. Made of highly durable wall panels set in sturdy framing, modular inplant offices are available in a wide range of shapes, forms, designs, and configurations, each of which can easily fit into any application or operation. Modular inplant offices provide the same type of permanent structure as traditional office space with the added benefit of being able to adapt, adjust, and change to fit the needs of an organization.
Unlike permanent traditional structures that require time and expense to construct, as well a disruption in work flow, modular inplant offices are planned, prefabricated, and constructed off site to be installed on site. Within a day or two, additional workspace is available for managers, workers, and machinery, without inconvenience or interruption. The ability to expand and customize modular inplant offices is a major reason for their popularity.
Wall Panels
The two main aspects of modular inplant offices are their frame and wall panels, which are supported by an assembly of components that bind them together. In the initial stages of the development of modular inplant offices, manufacturers work with their clients to select the proper wall panel to fit the client’s environment that can vary from high traffic production conditions to warehousing.
Wall panels come in an array of designs in order to meet client requirements. The selection of wall panels includes fire proofed, ballistic, sound proofed, and resistant to impact. The placement, location, and required endurance determines which type of wall panel is necessary.
All modular inplant office wall panels have a similar structure, which includes flat skins that sandwich a filler that is made of different types of materials. This basic structure is adjusted and customized to meet application requirements. In the majority of cases, wall panels have a R value and a STC rating. The original wall panels were made of two pieces of wood that sandwiched a form of insulation. They were heavy, cumbersome, and necessitated a great deal of effort to be installed.
Modern wall panels are made of lightweight materials for easy handling and quick installation. The old hardboards of original wall panels have been replaced with resilient materials that have the stability of wood and the strength of metals. Over the years, wall panel engineers have worked to develop structural materials that match those used for traditional construction.
Non-Combustible Wall Panels
Non-combustible wall panels use gypsum sheets for the exterior and interior materials that sandwich the filler, which is normally polystyrene. They have a R rating of 11 with a STC rating of 30 to provide a sufficient amount of sound suppression. The gypsum boards have a Class A fire rating with a flame spreading rating of A 25 and a smoke development index of 450, which makes them resistant to severe fires. In most cases, coatings and vinyl are added to the surface of the gypsum to improve their endurance and their appearance.
Fire Rated Wall Panels
Fire rated wall panels are required by local regulations in regard to facilities that are susceptible to combustible materials. In order to be classified as a fire rated wall panel, it must meet the stipulations set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in ASTM E119, which defines a fire rated panel as a panel that can survive exposure to one hour of open flames and a blast from a fire hose.
The structure of fire rated wall panels is the same as that of all forms of wall panels with adjustments to the gypsum that includes the addition of stucco embossed steel and a core of mineral wool. The structure of these panels makes them resistant to fire and moisture and gives them a STC rating of 48.
Steel Wall Panels
With steel wall panels, steel is used for the flat sheets that sandwich the core. They have the same R rating as that of gypsum panels with a lower STC rating due to the layers of steel that are susceptible to vibrations. The term steel panels have a caveat in that the sheets of steel are placed over gypsum. The ruggedness, strength, and durability of steel wall panels enable them to endure hostile environments with high traffic. Their use is ideal for factory and manufacturing offices that are close work areas.
One of the drawbacks to wall panels is their inability to withstand impacts, which is the reason that steel wall panels were developed. While other forms of wall panels may be damaged and scarred by impacts, steel wall panels are able to endure any form of stress and collision. This characteristic of their properties helps avoid the need for repairs and gives them a long, useful life.
Sound Proof Wall Panels
Like steel wall panels, sound proof wall panels include a special set of materials that are combined to create a sound suppressing wall system. They are designed to reduce, minimize, and absorb sound from the external work environment. As with all forms of sound blockage, sound proof wall panels act as an acoustic barrier that prevents disturbing sounds from entering a workplace. They provide a calm, quiet, comfortable, and peaceful space for meetings and managerial decision making.
In order to achieve the necessary STC level, sound proof panels have a unique form that includes sheets of gypsum board placed over soundstop board with a core of polystyrene or poly-iso. Some designs include stranded board, different types of metal, or cement board in place of gypsum board. The soundstop board is a special form of fiberboard that is placed between the core and exterior boards. For sound proof wall panels to be classified as sound proof, they have to meet OSHA’s sound level stipulations.
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Wall Panels
FRP wall panels, as with sound proof wall panels, include a special mix of fiberglass and special plastics. The resulting wall panels are lightweight, durable, sturdy, and easy to install. The fiberglass content is the part of the wall panels that makes them exceptionally strong and durable. The plastic overlay makes the structure smooth, even, and non-porous.
A critical part of FRP wall panels is their plastic surface, which minimizes the need for maintenance and enhances the panels' durability. FRP wall panels are exceptionally safe due to their plastic exterior, which makes them resistant to fire and chemicals. The many benefits of FRP wall panels come at a high price, a factor that has to be carefully considered when planning a modular inplant office.
Ballistic Wall Panels
Although there may be manufacturers that provide a set of wall panels that are referred to as “bullet proof”, it is important to understand that there isn’t any form of wall panel that is bullet proof. All types of wall panels will break, crack, and be destroyed from an onslaught of weaponry. Ballistic wall panels provide temporary protection from gun fire and bullets. For a short period of time, ballistic wall panels can resist an attack but will eventually succumb.
There are specific stipulations that are used to categorize a wall panel as providing ballistic protection, which have been established by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Ballistic wall panels are found in unique environments, such as military installations, labs, and testing facilities that are susceptible to explosions.
The structure of ballistic wall panels includes gypsum and a core of polystyrene or poly-iso. The material that gives them their resistance to firearms is sheets of specially designed ballistic fiberglass. The thickness of the panels varies in accordance with their NIJ and UL ratings. In many cases, poly-iso is preferred over polystyrene for core material for ballistic panels due to its strength and durability.
Conclusion
Modular inplant offices are constructed of a wide range of materials that include brackets, framing, floors, windows, and ceilings. The main structural component of modular inplant offices is their wall panels that form the walls and determine the viability and comfort of a modular inplant office. In the initial stage of planning, manufacturers provide a sampling of the types of wall panels they offer, with most companies providing a full selection to meet any conditions.
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