LEESBURG, Va., November 30, 2011 – Occupying 10 acres of expansive and diverse habitats, the Denver Zoo’s new $50 million Asian Tropics complex will allow visitors to explore the rich history of animals in Asian culture, their challenging relationship with humans and the efforts of the zoo and its colleagues to protect their future. 

Designed to provide an appealing environment for the animals, the complex also features numerous aspects of sustainable design, including 900,000 gallons of recycled water and a biomass gasification system that will convert more than 90 percent of the zoo’s waste into usable onsite energy.

To distribute a significant amount of hot water from a supplemental system of four gas-fired, 500,000 BTUH high-efficiency condensing boilers throughout the complex, mechanical contractor Heating & Plumbing Engineers Inc. specified nearly 3,000 feet of large-diameter REHAU INSULPEX pre-insulated energy transfer pipe. The 5-in. (125 mm) INSULPEX pipe, employed for the first time in North America on this job, was also installed using REHAU FUSAPEX, an innovative new electrically fused fitting system.

“The flexible nature of the INSULPEX piping, particularly when compared with an alternative material such as pre-insulated copper or steel, was a necessity when working around the zoo’s existing utilities, such as life support, plumbing, and electrical piping,” said Porter May of Heating & Plumbing Engineers.  “A rigid piping system would just not have been an option, given the gains and losses of elevation, as well as the severe angles that the underground piping needed to conform to on the project.”

In addition to supplying hot water to numerous buildings in the Asian Tropics complex, the INSULPEX pipe also serves as a supply to REHAU RAUPEX radiant heating and snow and ice melting systems installed throughout the exhibit.  Nearly 15,000 feet of ½-in. RAUPEX O₂ barrier pipe was used for the radiant systems, and slightly more than 13,000 feet of 5/8-in. RAUPEX O₂ barrier pipe was used for the snow and ice melting systems.

Radiant systems installed in the rhino and elephant holding buildings will provide a warm, comfortable climate for the animals during the Colorado winter season, and more closely mimic the temperatures of their native habitats.  Also, snow and ice melting systems installed in all pedestrian walkways, bridges and exhibit entryways, as well as in the complex’s facilities management dock area, will provide a safe, clear path for visitors and zoo employees during snowy months.

“Radiant heating was identified as the most efficient, even method for heating the large animal holding areas, and we expect that not only with the animals benefit from a more comfortable climate, but the zoo will realize notable energy savings in comparison to a traditional forced air system,” May said.

For more information, contact: REHAU, 1501 Edwards Ferry Rd., N.E., Leesburg, Va., 20176.  Phone: 1.800.247.9445.  Fax: 1.800.627.3428.  E-mail: rehau.mailbox@rehau.com.  Web site:www.na.rehau.com/heating.