Field Projects


		Waterfall Action Park

Field Studies

CounterAct Electronic Rust Protection - Fixed Structure Rust Prevention

CounterAct Statix© System

North Carolina's Outer Banks, a real challenge for rust prevention and corrosion control. A sandy barrier island less than a mile wide in many areas and with brackish water on one side and salt water on the other and a continuous breeze its one of the most abrasive and corrosive environments imaginable. To add to rust protection woes the Banks are right in the middle of hurricane alley so hurricanes and tropical storm damage render any rust protection coating vulnerable. Enter CounterAct electronic rust protection!

In 2002 Waterfall Action park in Rodanthe asked CounterAct to develop an electronic rust protection system for their feature attraction the Outer Banks sole Bungee jumping tower! The tower was a real challenge from a rust prevention standpoint. The main supports were cast iron, the stairs a mixture of galvanized and non-galvanized steel and the causeways were aluminum. The tower was a real galvanic corrosion nightmare. The constant wind has the effect of sandblasting the tower and opening up any painted surface to the elements so constant maintenance was required to retain the integrity of the paint and to ward off rust and corrosion. Any coating is only as good as its integrity so a CounterAct electronic rust protection system was doubly welcome on the tower as CounterAct has been shown to reduce the undercutting of paint holidays, chips and scratches as well as slowing the rust process. Read the account below for what the folks at Waterfall Park had to say about CounterAct electronic rust protection some 6 years later.

"Waterfall" Testimonial 2008:

Waterfall Action Park

On Hatteras Island

PO Box 39 RT. 12

Rodanthe, NC 27968

To Whom It May Concern

Waterfall Action Park is a family amusement park located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Rust and corrosion have always been a problem at our facility as the Outer Banks are less than a mile wide and we have salt water on one side and brackish on the other with a more or less continuous strong breeze. In fact, Hatteras Island has the highest salt aircontent in NC. The sandy nature of the island and the prevailing winds makes for a highly abrasive environment that is rough on coatings as well. Throw in the occasional hurricane damage and we have a real rust problem here.

One of our park's premier attractions is the Outer Bank's sole bungee jumping tower. Naturally we have always taken preventive maintenance on the tower quite seriously and have employed expensive specialty corrosion resistant paints (Hammerite"TM") with a continuous annual process of sanding, treating and repainting. As the tower is a mixture of iron, galvanized and non-galvanized steel and aluminum components, we despaired of any better solution until we discovered the CounterAct electrostatic corrosion control system.

In 2002 we had a CounterAct system installed on the tower. Since then it has been obvious that the normal rusting and paint loss that was previously observed has been greatly decreased. The CounterAct system not only has shut down the rusting process but also greatly reduced the undercutting of wind caused paint chips just as advertised. The other great advantage to this system is that it has kept the paint looking new. A real benefit when you consider we often were repainting the tower after only six months. In the 6 years since we installed the system I conservatively estimate that we have realized a saving in material and labor of at least $7500.00 annually for a total of at least $45,000. As we currently use park personnel to do our painting this cost would rise considerably by several more thousands of dollars annually were we employing outside contractors or professional painters. Again, estimating conservatively, I can conclusively state that our maintenance requirements have been reduced by at least 50%

I can only give my highest recommendation to this system and this company.

Best Regards

Steve Merjos

C.E.O.

CounterAct Rust Protected Bungee Tower

Waterfall Action Park, Rodanthe, NC (The Outer Banks)

View from the top- CounterAct Statix© protected tower

CounterAct capacitive coupling on tower main support. One of many capacitive couplers used for rust control on the tower

CounterAct Statix© electronic rust protection system control module and power supply

Note: On September 18th, 2003 Hurricane Isabel made landfall near Rodanthe. Waterfall's bungee tower and its CounterAct system both survived the storm without damage.

"OEM Applications"

The Statix© Corrosion Protection System by CounterAct

CounterAct provides an OEM version of our Statix© electrostatic anti-corrosion systems for steel frame buildings.

The system is designed for all building series that are installed on a non-conductive base.

This is a modular based system where one module is sufficient to provide protection for 2,500,000 square inches (63,500,000 square millimeters).

Available with 110/120 V AC or 220V AC for North American applications and provisions for operating on 220/230V AC in countries outside North America.

Field Study:

Comparison of Unprotected NY DOT Salt Storage Building , Cobleskill NY

VS,

CounterAct Statix© Protected Highway Dept. Salt Storage Building , Cobleskill NY

This study compares similar membrane covered steel framed buildings produced by the same manufacturer, utilized in identical applications (highway road salt storage) and located within a 3 mile drive of one another in the community of Cobleskill NY. The study was initiated and conducted by the building's manufacturer in conjunction with the Cobleskill Highway Dept. and CounterAct for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of the CounterAct anti-corrosion system for use as an OEM corrosion control system on the company's buildings used in harsh environments. The results of the study proved to be quite positive and the CounterAct system was adopted as OEM by the manufacturer. CounterAct now maintains the test program on a long term basis with the Cobleskill Highway Dept.

Unprotected NY D.O.T. Salt Storage Building

From left to right: exterior views, close ups of "arches & purloins" and base

Highway Dept., Cobleskill, NY, USA - Installing CounterAct Statix System; March 2008

60' x 90 ' Membrane Covered Steel Framed Building

(Nov 2009, After 14943 Hours of Operation of the CounterAct Statix System)

From left to right, hour meter, exterior view, close ups of "arches & purloins" and base

(July 2010, After 20323 Hours of Operation of the CounterAct Statix System)

From left to right, hour meter, exterior view, close ups of "arches & purloins" and base

steel barn pre-fab steel hangar denton

Ideal for any fixed applications: steel frame structures, tanks, towers, support structures, port facilities industrial infrastructure and machinery etc.

CounterAct "Off Road 4" Corrosion Protection System provides corrosion control for National Park Service Ranger's Beach Trucks at Padre Island National Seashore - Texas

The National Park Service's Padre Island National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. In addition to its 70 miles of protected coastline, other important ecosystems abound, including rare coastal prairie, a complex and dynamic dune system, wind tidal flats teeming with life, and the Laguna Madre, one of the few hypersaline lagoon environments left in the world. The National Seashore and surrounding waters provide important habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including a number of rare, threatened, and endangered species such as the Kemps Ridley Sea turtle, the most endangered species of sea turtle. Padre Island is an extremely corrosive coastal environment with vehicles subject to surf and salt spray as well as abrasive environments. Park Service maintenance personnel indicate that it is not uncommon for a pick up truck frame to completely fail within 3 yrs of entering service.

This CounterAct protected truck (left photo) experienced a computer control module failure and was left on the beach from December through March before undergoing repairs. The battery was periodically charged however so that the CounterAct system did not revert to its battery protection mode and shut itself off. When the undercarriage (right photo) was examined in early May it revealed almost no rust.