Building Technology, Size, and Location

The Olympus Air Hangar utilizes Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) technology. It covers an area of 20,000 sq ft and is located at Hazleton Regional Airport in Hazleton, PA.

Building Purpose Overview

The hangar was constructed to function as a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) hangar for private owners who lease the space to a jet charter company. The project demanded strict adherence to fire codes and airport regulations, including integrating a foam fire suppression system.

Project Challenges

Engineering Bottleneck
The project faced potential delays due to the complex nature of hangar designs, which can create engineering bottlenecks. We released the engineering plans early in the project lifecycle to prevent delays, ensure continuous progress, and avoid downtime.
 

Site Conditions
Although the building was delivered on time, a harsh winter delayed site preparation, preventing the pouring of the slab and apron. To address this, we adapted our installation plan, enabling us to complete the PEMB erection efficiently despite the adverse weather conditions.
 

Door Coordination
The hangar door supplier, based in Michigan, encountered delays due to a union strike during the pandemic, affecting the door delivery and subsequent installation. We mitigated this issue by assigning a field supervisor to oversee the door sheeting process once the doors were installed. This approach minimized additional expenses and ensured the project remained on schedule

Solutions Provided

Collaborating with the Architect/Engineer of Record (AEOR) early in the process allowed us to incorporate PEMB best practices into the design, ensuring compliance with fire codes and airport regulations. By releasing engineering plans early, we prevented delays and maintained project momentum. Adapting our installation strategy to the site conditions allowed us to complete the project on time despite weather challenges. Effective coordination with the door supplier minimized added costs and kept the project on schedule during the supplier’s delays.

Conclusions

Despite challenges such as pricing volatility, harsh winter weather, and supplier delays, the Olympus Air Hangar project was completed on schedule and within budget. The result is a state-of-the-art FBO hangar that meets all regulatory requirements and serves the needs of private owners and their jet charter companies. This project highlights our ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges and deliver high-quality, timely solutions. For more information, please contact Coastal Steel Structures.