Less Maintenance, Better Security, Insulation

Special-Lite doors

Special-Lite doors offered several benefits to the Union Grove School District, two of which were the saving of time and money.

As with most schools, maintenance and operating budgets at Union Grove School District, in Union Grove, WI. were spread pretty thin. Fortunately, Kurt Jorgensen, director of Operations & Facilities at Union Grove High School, found a way to save time and money, while at the same time improving security, by specifying Special-Lite FRP Doors.

The Union Grove district’s experience with SL-17 FRP Doors started with just one door, years ago. The hollow metal frame in that opening rusted away over time, but the door was still fine. Based on the performance of that door, Kurt convinced the school board to use Special-Lite FRP Doors instead of hollow metal doors, when all exterior doors were replaced in a renovation.

When Kurt learned that Special-Lite can locate proximity card readers inside an FRP door, protecting it from weather and tampering, he specified that option on nine of the new doors. As Kurt puts it, “that’s one less thing for kids to mess with.” Kurt also built in door position sensors so it is known whenever a door is opened, or has been propped open by a student.

After all exterior doors were replaced; Kurt says he could tell that the boilers were running less. On a cold December morning he noticed only one boiler was running, where before there would have been four running. According to Jorgenson, “I can tell by the temperature in the hallways, and teachers are saying that they are warmer. I’m turning down the temperature in their rooms. It is amazing.” Kurt attributes these changes to the replacement of the exterior doors with Special-Lite SL-17 FRP Doors.

When summing up his decision to insist on Special-Lite Doors, Kurt says, “I’m glad we did it. It’s one less headache. I know the doors are going to close every time.”

www.special-lite.com

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Georgia State University Opens New Research Tower

    Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new, nine-story, 155,000-square-foot Research Tower, according to university news. Amenities include academic classrooms, a large lecture space, teaching labs, faculty research space, and the uppermost floors reserved for future expansion.

  • Lawrence Group Announces Three New Hires

    Integrated planning and design firm Lawrence Group, based in St. Louis, Mo., recently welcomed three new staff members, according to a news release.

  • St. Lucie County, Fla., Breaks Ground on New K–8 School

    St. Lucie Public Schools in St. Lucie County, Fla., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new K–8 school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., for the design of the upcoming Ft. Pierce K–8 School, which comprises six buildings covering 215,000 square feet.

  • Wenger Names New Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts, Controls

    Wenger Corporation, which provides products and solutions for music and theater education, performing arts and athletic storage, recently announced the hiring of a new Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.