By Glenn Rolfe

MILLSBORO — The installation of vertical panels in the new Sussex Central High School gym was halted last month after a wavy phenomenon known as “oil canning” was discovered.

Brad Cowen of Richard Y. Johnson & Son, the project’s general contractor and construction manager, offered an update and recommended solution at the June 24 Indian River School District board of education meeting.

He said that workers began to install the panels upon delivery but soon noticed that they had a visible waviness when the sun shone on them in the mornings.

“(We) stopped the installation. We contacted the installer, the manufacturer, and we spent a couple of weeks trying to determine how we could prepare the panels … to take the waviness out of it,” Mr. Cowen said.

The oil-canning effect is described as visible waves that are evident on the flat areas of a metal panel. It’s a surface-level issue and doesn’t affect the structural integrity of the panel.

“The manufacturer cannot guarantee 100% that it will not happen,” said Mr. Cowen, noting that the Indian River High School gym also has the panels.

After discussion, the board approved a proposed solution — installing an additional support in the center of each panel, coupled with thermal protective tape. “That puts slight pressure on the back of the metal and takes away the waviness,” Mr. Cowen said.

The district’s supervisor of buildings and grounds, William “Joe” Dooley, said the solution was proposed by Richard Y. Johnson & Son and accepted by the architect.

Mr. Cowen said the manufacturer and panel supplier also approved the recommendation.

“I wouldn’t call it a ‘fix.’ It is a common problem in the industry for vertical metal panels, and this is a good way to take (away) that waviness,” he added.

The addition won’t cost the district any more funds.

“The solution that we have, there is no additional cost to the school district,” Mr. Cowen said. “It’s all being handled by the contractor and RYJ. You will not see a change order for that.”