A religious organization in Illinois included thermally broken roof hatches from BILCO in a $27 million project to construct a new regional retreat.
The Sacré-Coeur Retreat Center in Peoria includes two chapels and a four-story building with 70 rooms for visitors who require extended stays. The project includes two thermally broken roof hatches from BILCO, the manufacturer of specialty access products. BILCO’s Bil-Guard® safety railings and LadderUP® safety posts were also included in the roofing construction.
The Diocese of Peoria developed the new retreat to replace the Nazareth House, which was built in 1963. The new retreat brings new energy along with modern building materials and appearance to visitors. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is the centerpiece of the facility and has seating for 140 people. It includes stained glass windows, original artwork, a new altar, a presider’s chair and an ambo. A smaller chapel will also welcome worshippers.
Western Specialty Contractors installed roofing and the thermally broken roof hatches, which will help curb energy costs. The hatches feature R-20+ insulation and a frame and cover design that minimizes heat transfer between interior and exterior metal surfaces. The product resists condensation and provides superior energy efficiency. One hatch is on the roof of the retreat building and the other is on a pump house. Both were painted with a powder coat white finish to match the color of roofing materials.
The thermally broken roof hatch, which measures 30” x 54”, allows for access to rooftop equipment for service and replacement. The LadderUP® safety posts and Bil-Guard® safety railings are fundamental mechanisms for the protection of rooftop workers. The Bil-Guard® system includes corrosion-resistant aluminum rails and a safety yellow powder coat finish. The system meets or exceeds OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29 and features a self-closing and locking gate.
“We install the BILCO products on a lot of our projects,’’ said Jared Osterman of Western Specialty Contractors. “The LadderUP® safety posts make the hatch much safer,’’ Osterman said. “It’s a great feature to include them on projects because it makes it far easier to climb out.” For more information about BILCO, visit https://www.bilco.com/.
About BILCO
For over 90 years, The BILCO Company has been a building industry pioneer in the design and development of specialty access products. Over these years, the company has built a reputation among architects, and engineers for products that are unequaled in design and workmanship. BILCO – an ISO 9001 certified company – offers commercial and residential specialty access products. Its basement access products are available through online retailers and major home improvement centers. For more information, visit www.bilco.com.
Feature Image Courtesy of: OrangeboxStudio.net/ Robert Pursler
