VaproShield Used on Housing Prototype Commissioned by New York’s Office of Emergency Management

VaproShield was honored to have WrapShield SA Self-Adhered Water Resistive Vapor Permeable Air Barrier Sheet selected for use on an experimental, post-disaster housing prototype located in Brooklyn, N.Y. In development since 2008, the prototype was commissioned by New York’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) with funding from FEMA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was designated as project manager for the prototype’s construction. Designed by Garrison Architects, the “townhouse” style post-disaster housing consists of five modular units—fabricated by Mark Line Industries—which are stacked on top of each other.

“This is an exciting innovation,” comments Phil Johnson, VaproShield Managing Partner. “These [post-disaster housing] units have the potential to provide safe, reliable housing to the victims of natural disaster as they work to rebuild their communities. VaproShield is a proud contributor.”

While the post-disaster prototype will be on-site in Brooklyn for a year, the modular units are designed to be mobile. The modular units were constructed for easy installation, deconstruction and transport.

“The idea is that no matter where a disaster occurs, these modular units can be placed on a truck and taken there,” says Johnson. “The units need to perform well in every climate, as there is no telling where they may end up, and WrapShield SA Self-Adhered helps with that.”

WrapShield SA Self-Adhered Water Resistive Vapor Permeable Air Barrier Sheet helps to regulate air flow to keep units cool in the summer and warm in the winter, thus reducing energy costs. WrapShield SA Self-Adhered was selected for use on this initial prototype as it provides superior weather protection as well as the durability to withstand exposure in a wide variety of climates.