Important Design Considerations for Hangars – Part 2

We have discussed about the important facility space requirement considerations in the part 1 . In this article, we will discuss about other considerations that go into designing a hangar facility.

Hangar Doors

Among the most important elements of a hangar facility are the hangar doors. There are several types of hangar doors such as bi-folding, vertical lift, sliding, fabric, overhead, side-wall stacking, and several others. Each type has its own pros and cons depending on the type of aircrafts and maintenance activates. It is imperative that you carefully assess the operations of the hangar facility to determine the right type of hangar door.

Electrical System

The electrical system arrangements in the hangar space should meet the National Electric Code, represented by NFPA 70, in order to ensure the safety of the workers and engineers. According to the code, the electrical equipment should be NEMA Type 4 and waterproof. Since aircraft and ground support equipment work on a different range of frequencies and voltages as compared to public utilities, various frequencies and power supply voltage are required in the hangar space.

Fire Protection System

The hangar facility must be equipped with a reliable fire detection and protection system. Typically, the protection system used for hangars has Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) with water, which are used through floor mounted water cannons or overhead sprinkle system in case of a fire breakout. Moreover, the level of water pressure should be high enough to control the fire, and for that, the system may require booster pumps and a reservoir. To equip the hangar facility with a flawless fire protection system, make sure that it complies with NFPA 409, which is a standard established by the National Fire Protection Association.

Security

Top-notch security system is essential for hangars as the aviationindustry is quite susceptible to terrorist attacks due to its high profile nature. It is best that you follow the general security guidelines by the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA).

Sustainable Design

Since the hangar facility involves frequently in-and-out aircraft movements, the hangar is susceptible to huge heat loss. It is essential that sustainability measures are taken into consideration in order to ensure the building performs efficiently throughout its lifetime without wasting energy.

Technological Advancements

As the aircraft industry is continuously evolving and new technologies are being introduced, the hangar facility needs to be designed accordingly. The aircraft industry, nowadays, is functioning like a mainstream industrial facility, which is why remedial measures for toxic effluents, safer working standards for hazardous areas, and pollution permits are important to be included in the hangar facility design.