Steel aircraft hangars can be customized to suit your aviation needs. It can be utilized for storage or maintenance. Regardless of the size of the plane, a metal hangar building is the most cost-effective and low-maintenance choice you can make.

What Is An Aircraft Hangar Building?

Hangar derives from a northern French dialect that means “cattle pen.” A “hangar” is a closed structure that can hold aircraft in protective storage. They are usually made of metal but can also be constructed from wood or concrete. They serve as protection from outdoor elements and can be used to house the repair or assembly of an aircraft.

One or more bays may be available in a hangar. The primary objective is to give an aircraft a slot for maintenance. Sometimes, the bays depend on the aircraft type. 

Six Things To Consider When Setting Up Your Steel Hangar Building.

1. Budget

Cost is a primary concern when building a steel structure on your property. To manage your budget, it is essential to carefully oversee the cost of building a shed, workshop, or aviation hangar. 

A new metal building costs can differ from constructor to constructor across the United States. Prices vary depending on where you live and which contractor you choose. It is highly recommended that you realistically prepare a budget for a construction project; This includes engineering, the installation of utilities, and the construction of a concrete foundation.

Before you decide on a contractor to work on your project, make sure to understand the current cost of materials too.

2. Placement

It might be a good idea to consult an engineering consultant when choosing the best location for a new hangar. It is crucial to choose the right MEP engineering company for your project. This will ensure project success and processes that meet your financial and technical objectives.

3. The Quality Management Process

Many companies claim that they have a quality program. Quality management must begin with the proposal and continue through construction. If you are unsure, you can request a list of the quality control procedures for each position. These documents are regularly reviewed and updated by MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) engineers committed to quality.

• Get Feedback From Contractors.

Return clients are a sign of a good work ethic and performance. You can also call these clients for reference. A good sign is having MEP consultants who only work with you, especially if it is a long-term agreement. If a hangar is located near other buildings, hangars, or large hangars, installing code-driven fire suppression systems might be necessary. The project’s budget can also be affected by the distance between utilities, the hangar and soil stability, and the structure’s ability to support.

• Request An Inspection if Your Project is a Renovation

MEP engineers must always verify the current condition of MEP systems, even if they have as-built documentation. There could be inaccuracies in existing documents, which would require more thorough field verification. Engineers must ensure that MEP conditions are accurately depicted in drawings to avoid future problems. Each trade engineer should visit the site and review the system. They are the ones who can create a solution.

• Discuss The Acceptable Level of Change Orders

While “none” is the ideal answer, it is impossible to avoid changing orders in every project. Good MEP engineers will have a strong aversion towards changing orders and will do everything in their power to prevent them. Ask about the measures taken to stop change orders. It is crucial to coordinate electrical and mechanical drawings using Building Information Modeling (BIM). It is important to have an accurate cost estimate and document any material cost changes.

• Talk About Construction Administration Services After MEP Design

For a project to be successful, construction administration services must be provided. Communication between the contractor and the MEP engineers responsible for the design is improved when they also offer this service. Although it is possible to hire different companies for MEP design or construction administration, communication may become less efficient and lead to delays in projects and additional costs.

Ask MEP engineers what they do when a contractor doesn’t follow the specifications or drawings. The engineer should explain the design and listen to the contractor before reaching a consensus. This will benefit the project and create a positive working relationship between the parties.

MEP engineers should respond quickly to emails, phone calls, and contractor requests for information (RFI). A project can be delayed if the communication is slow.

4. Hangar Size

Many factors will affect the size of your hangar. Consider the space required to transport the aircraft and positioning equipment like ramps and stairs. During repairs, they determine the necessary workflow and area by the maintenance crew.

5. Electrical Requirements

When designing your hangar, it is essential to consider the electrical requirements and wiring scheme. Because they are necessary for servicing and maintaining an aircraft, it is vital to ensure that there are multiple outlets available. It is important to have numerous outlets available in the building, which connect to columns or permanent scaffolding.

6. Entry and exit points

The design phase of your hangar involves defining the exit and entry access points. The entry and exit points for single-plane hangars are obvious. Multi-aircraft hangars can make it challenging to ensure that aircraft regularly move in and out of the hangar.

The right size doors will ensure an open and efficient design. The best way to position the hangar is to consider the entry and exit points. However, the door design should maximize accessibility. There are three options when choosing the main hangar entrance:

• Bi-folding Doors – The doors are horizontally divided down the middle and folded in half when activated. It can be made into an awning if fully opened in some cases.
• Vertical Lift Doors – Two tracks are used to build a vertical lift door.
• Slider Doors – Sliding doors are the most affordable, while bi-folding and vertical lift doors offer space-saving benefits. You could also have personnel doors in your hangar, such as double or standard doors.

Proper foundation and flooring are crucial considerations because aircraft hangars can withstand heavy loads, harsh chemicals, and high abrasion. Concrete foundations are required for a hangar, with reinforced concrete preferred. An aircraft hangar needs solid aggregate concrete to withstand significant pressure and stress. The final coat must be durable, dense, and resistant to chemicals. Choose an epoxy coating with grip to ensure that planes can move freely in the hangar.

The most important thing to consider when building your hangar is how it is constructed. Although this is directly related to your intended use, even a simple hangar for your aircraft storage should be considered.

If you plan to do maintenance work, then a gantry is necessary for lifting heavy parts or engines. A strong steel shed that can withstand the extra weight of the crane, parts, and gantry would be ideal. Access is crucial – braces shouldn’t be in the way or blocking exit and entry points. It is also worth considering how the electricity, compressed airlines, and lighting are integrated into the structure. This can be done easily when working with an experienced shed manufacturer.

You need to keep in mind many things when building an aircraft hangar. To ensure that you get the perfect aircraft hangar for your needs, it is best to seek the advice of experts.

Takeaway

For private aircraft hangars, a steel building is the best choice. Steel construction is a solid and flexible choice that will ensure the safety and maintenance of your valuable asset. Do you wish to speak with our experts to get more clarity on erecting a steel hangar building? Give us a quick call! At Coastal Steel Structures, we have the right people to deliver the right solutions!