Hello,

We are working on a school project that I believe is perfect for ICF construction.  My major hurdle is going to be using something other than sheetrock for the interior walls.  Most schools like CMUs because they can take some heavy abuse and sheetrock can get a little deformed.  My question is if anyone knows of something that is strong that could be used in this application?  We have thought of durarock, etc., but that may be to expensive.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

renangle

Renangle:
Look at gigacrete for interior walls. Remember that a fire rating has to be achieved and drywall is the typical surface material to achieve this but maintenance is brutal in a school

Bob Gieser,
Holdfast technologies

Easy....Magnesium Oxide board.

Does anyone know what was used on the new school in Bowling Green KY?
Bob Gieser, didn't your company supply the forms on that project?
Check out the article about it in ICF Builder magazine.

there are new high density drywall products made now for high abuse areas. Using these types of products, WITH a full eps foam backer(the ICF), provides a vast improvement over simple drywall!

And of course, there is always plaster, however, you typically need the proper base, which in some instances may not be the bare ICF face, which brings you right back to labor and material to apply the high density drywall!!

I am the person who designed and built the school in Arkansas mentioned in the article as being the inspiration for the school in KY.
I certainly have opinions about this subject and can fill in the gaps.
The ONLY troubles experienced in the last seven years are because they went against my advise and used Sheetrock (My job and commitment was for the structure--not the finishes)
I have worked for Gigacrete since building the school and certainly can opinionate about that product if need be.
 I now am bringing a sheetrock substitute product to the market both in UK and the US that will not mold, mildew, fall apart on a wet day and meets or exceeds the new international fire code that has been adopted in the US.
I read with amusement  (on this forum) someone claiming to be building the first ICF school in Arkansas last year.  Emulation is the highest form of compliment I guess.
If we are going to bus our kids to a school made of firewood in busses without seatbelts I guess they might as well get mold allergies while there. 
I am glad I no longer build as it was perplexing to have to "compete" with people willing to compromise who are encouraged by an insurance driven society.  As long as stupid methods are insureable people will build stupid buildings

Ceramic Cement Research Institute

Yes Wes,  we did supply Nudura ICFs for that project and DW Wilburn was the GC Andlor Construction out of Cinn. Ohio did the concrete work.  Steve Remick passed way late last year suddenly of a heart attack, so Andlor is no longer in existence.  The interior walls were not specified to be built with ICFs, so the CMUs were used for interior walls separating the classrooms and for the hallways.  

There are a number of products currently being developed for use in schools. Gigacrete being one of them, however if I understand the fire rating procedure, the gigacrete is applied over the drywall.  Chad Mullins of Aztec roofing out of Nashville, TN has a product being developed that has a ceramic coating if I am describing this correctly, that is tuff and applies directly to the EPS substrate (ICF form).  I don't know about the fore code or other clearances, but it is suppossed to be really tough (Jr. high proof if that is possible! Ha! Ha!). 

See additional posts to this thread for further choices.  

Johnathon Hampton was intsrumental in replying to an ICFWEB post for help and put us in touch with the private Christian Academy in Arkansas, which he built before relocating to Alaska.  Johnathon is on the forefront of technology and has some interesting ideas. 
 
Thank you for remembering us Wes and Johnathon. 

Respectfully,
Bob Gieser
Holdfast Technologies
Nudura   

Teslastones and Bob (and everyone else) thank you so much for your input and response. Teslastone and Bob, I am going to try contacting you both on Monday if possible to get your thoughts on doing the school (possible testimony from the school officals, etc.) if you both don't mind. I firmly believe that using ICF for a school makes complete sense and we have very strong ties to this one.

Again, thank you all.

renangle

Andrrw, can we get a 15min thermal out of the base coat in a crawl space. " Base only?"

Dave