Heatizon Systems
Salt Lake City, Utah
Conference Center

As far as square footage goes, the Conference Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one high profile site. The center is located on a 10-acre city block and includes 1.4 million sq. ft. of interior space and can seat 21,000 people for church-related conferences and theatrical productions.

The snowmelt system, on the other hand, needed to be low profile -- literally.

"Considering the system needed to be sandwiched in with a structural concrete deck, a waterproof membrane and sand-set pavers," explains Jack Lucas, general manager of electric radiant manufacturer, Heatizon Systems, "the radiant system only had a clearance of about a half an inch."

Millions of people were expected to visit the center throughout the year so a snowmelt system was imperative for the 20,000 sq. ft. of plaza and stairs leading into the main entrances. Heatizon's Tuff Cable system could fit the low clearance since it measures only 3/16 of an inch in diameter.

Since there could be no penetration of the waterproof barrier, the Tuff Cable needed a rather unusual attachment method to the substrate. As a result, the cable was affixed with either hot glue or double-stick tape to hold it in place until sand or mortar and pavers were placed on top.

The Heatizon system used in the center are low voltage, and use 240V-30 amp. service on the primary side and 50V-90 amp. service on the secondary. The systems are activated by a remote bulb temperature sensor that maintains temperatures above 38 degrees F.