United States Coast Guard - Consolidated Hangar

Mobile, AL

Project Overview:

This project was a design build airplane hangar for the U.S. Coast Guard. It was connected to an existing and operational airport for Mobile, Alabama. There was an extensive amount of grounding to be done. Faith Technologies installed a 4/0 counterpoise around the building and attached the tie downs for the planes and helicopters to it with a #4 wire. Close to the end of the project we had to hire a third party testing agent to come in and test each individual tie down so it could be painted on the floor next to the tie down. There were about 45 of these tie downs.

The power for this project came from the existing 5kv feeding the entire complex. We spent some time investigating the location of the proper switches so we could de-energize without de-energizing the entire facility.

Inside the facility there was an additional 400hz power system. This system was for the controls of the planes and helicopters. There was an entire workshop with this power. This was 3 phase and single phase. In this room we also had to provide ground bars with lugs attached to building steel on every wall in this room. This was to provide them with a place to attach their static ground strap while working on the equipment. This equipment was not much different than the equipment we use every day. The wire had to be a certain type and installed in aluminum rigid conduit that went out to the hangar for electric reels that were installed on the wall. These reels would roll in and out with the push of a button. These were so they did not have to remove the equipment from the planes and helicopters to work on them.

We installed runway lighting that was connected to an existing circuit, but was relocated due to the new tarmac. In addition, we installed pole lights that had to be positioned and aimed with help from the pilots and air control. The runway lights and pole lights had be installed specifically for the pilots. We had to install the runway lights a certain distance off the tarmac and with a certain distance between them. The pole lights had to be positioned to miss the wings of the airplanes. We had one that before the project started a plane struck a pole light, and they were asking us to relocate another one right next to where this was installed. We coordinated to with the pilots and air control to relocate this pole to a different location.

Communication was key on this project and we kept a very open line of communication by talking about and setting goals to ensure that each team member knew where we were at all times in the project.

Type of Services Performed:

• Audio
• Cabling
• Design Build
• Electrical
• Fire Alarm Systems
• Lighting
• Telephone Systems