Background
Peer review of a new $18 million, airline maintenance hangar for the impact of thrust loads on its structural framing from the hangar’s deluge fire protection system. This major facility includes a heavy steel framed main hangar, an attached pre-engineered metal support building and two large water storage tanks for the fire protection system.

Specialized Knowledge
After completion of construction, BASE returned to review coordination of heavy fire sprinkler system loads with the pre-engineered metal building. Of primary concern were impact and thrust loads as the fire sprinkler pipes are quickly filled with water to supply a large volume fire suppression system, required for a potential jet fuel fire in the maintenance hangar. To accurately compare load versus capacities, BASE created computer models of the custom steel shapes used in the pre-engineered metal building.

Client Benefits
BASE minimized approximations made in the review through detailed analysis. This allowed BASE to show that much of the structure was, in fact, capable of handling the heavier sprinkler system loads. Where retrofit appeared to be required, BASE determined more practical arrangements of attachment of the fire sprinkler pipes to the structure, which eliminated the need to strengthen structural elements. The end result was a minimal cost solution without interruption of facility use.