New Chemistry Lab Building

Carl A. Nelson & Company was awarded a contract by American Ordnance to construct a new Chemistry Laboratory Building on the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant property in Middletown, Iowa. Our scope of work included construction of the facility, as well as site work, and supervision of subcontractors for mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. The roofing is a pre-fabricated steel stud-type truss and hip system.

The new building replaced one from the early 1940s — also constructed by Carl A. Nelson & Company. The lab is used in the testing and development of explosives used in the artillery rounds and other projectiles manufactured at the plant for use by the United States military. It includes an environmental testing lab and main explosives lab. Unique features of this project included blast-resistant windows; explosion-proof electrical conduit and wiring; non-static-producing flooring; a chemical room with 12-inch concrete walls and a concrete lid; extensive security systems and buildling access controls.