USAFA Repair Cadet Area Tunnels HTHW Piping Insulation

SEC prepared bid documents for the asbestos abatement and replacement of approximately 15,000 linear feet of HTHW pipe insulation in utility tunnels at the US Air Force Academy. The HTHW piping operates continuously at 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit at 300 PSI, supplying approximately 40 mission-critical buildings. The anticipated construction cost is $16,700,000, with design completed in May 2021.

SEC recommended re-insulation using high-performance Pyrogel XTE aerogel blanket insulation, a NASA spinoff technology. This advanced material provides superior thermal performance in the extreme temperature environment of the HTHW tunnels. The original piping systems have been in continuous service for over 64 years.

The design includes structural repair and replacement of corroded support systems, protection and rerouting of fiber-optic cable with a heat resistance threshold of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and critical fire alarm, life safety, and telecommunications cabling. The project is currently awaiting federal funding. Mr. Bryant Shea of USAFA serves as the CE Project Manager.