STRUCTURAL

3.1 Finish

3.1.1 All exterior gel coated finishes of the Freedom Series™ shelter are produced in molds, using 18-20 mils of high quality gel coat with U-V inhibitors. This produces a uniform, impermeable shield which protects against the sun's damaging rays and is free of pinholes or other irregularities which can allow water to penetrate the structure.

3.1.2 The gel coat is pigmented with standard or custom colors and never needs to be painted.

3.1.3 The gel coated finish is impervious to a corrosive atmosphere.

3.1.4 The interior surfaces of the walls and ceiling are coated with a white pigmented resin which makes the shelter interior easy to illuminate and keep clean.

3.2 Walls

3.2.1 The seamless, one-piece walls are composed of a one and one half inch thick foam core bonded between two stressed skins of fiber reinforced plastic (F.R.P.), each approximately .125" thick. Total wall thickness is a nominal 1.25". Standard insulation value is R-10.

3.2.2 Improved wind load and insulation values can be gained by increasing the thickness of the foam core. This option is called PLUS CORE and is available in .5" increments.

3.2.3 If heavy equipment is going to be secured to the walls, we recommend that a layer of 1/2" wood sheeting be bonded to the foam core and encapsulated into the wall. This option is called HARD CORE. HARD CORE can be utilized in localized areas or throughout the entire structure.

3.2.4 If there is to be a large penetration through the wall (for example, an air conditioner cut out), SHELTER WORKS may mold the opening, rather than cutting, whenever it is practical to do so. This helps to ensure the lasting integrity of the shelter.

3.2.5 At the base of each wall is a 4.75" wide base flange. This flange folds toward the interior of the shelter and is used for anchoring the shelter to the substratum.

3.2.6 Optional partition walls can be fabricated to divide a shelter into two or more rooms.

3.3 Roof

3.3.1 The roof is a vaulted "hip" design. There are no eaves. A flat ceiling can be incorporated as an option.

3.3.1 The seamless, one-piece roof is composed of a 1.5" thick foam core bonded between two stressed skins of F.R.P. each approximately .125" thick. Total roof thickness is a nominal 1.75". Standard insulation value is R-10.

3.3.2 Improved snow load and insulation values can be gained by increasing the thickness of the foam core. This option is called PLUS CORE and is available in .5" increments up to 3" thick.

3.3.3 Roof trusses may be molded and integrated into the roof to lend support where needed. The appropriate number of trusses are included to meet the design loads. These trusses may also be used as members from which to suspend items from the roof. Additional trusses may be added as optional equipment and can be strategically placed for convenient outfitting.

3.3.4 If heavy equipment is going to be secured to the ceiling, we recommend that a layer of plywood be bonded to the foam core and encapsulated into the ceiling. This option is called HARD CORE. HARD CORE can be utilized in localized areas or over the whole surface of the ceiling.

3.4 Doors

3.4.1 Using the same materials of construction, doors are fabricated by SHELTER WORKS to be completely compatible with our shelters. A standard door is three foot wide, six foot eight Inches high, and 1.75" thick. A door can be placed anywhere on a wall.

3.4.2 The standard threshold is 2.5" high for easy stepover but can be raised as high as 12" above the floor level to allow for special environmental considerations (such as deep snow), or to allow the bottom portion of the shelter to be used for liquid containment.

3.4.3 Optional trip-proof threshold is only one-half inch high. This safety feature also allows equipment to be easily wheeled through the doorway.

3.4.4 Doors can be hung to swing right or left or may be hung as double doors. Mullions are optional with double doors.

3.5 Door Hardware

3.5.1 Each door is hung on 4" x 4" stainless steel ball bearing hinges with non-removable pins. For tamper resistance, the hinges are oriented in the full-mortised position with no fasteners exposed when the door is closed.

3.5.2 Each door comes with a heavy duty track-type door holder . This device prevents the door from opening beyond 95 degrees and allows for shock absorption. An adjustable tension setting allows for the door to be held in the open position until it is firmly pushed to close.

3.5.3 Standard doors are trimmed with a weather-tight neoprene gasket.

3.5.4 The standard latching device is a three-point system which holds the door snugly closed at the top, middle and bottom. Rollers are utilized to ensure smooth latching action. A handle is provided on the door which allows the door to be pulled closed from the inside. The cast stainless steel outside lever handle is pad- lockable and tamper resistant.

3.5.5 On double doors only one of the doors receives the hardware described in 3.5.4. The other door is held closed with 2 slide bolts.

3.5.6 Single-point and multi-point modern touch bar exit devices are optional at an additional cost. The standard option is the Von Duprin model #22 with lever handle exterior trim and lock tumbler. These can be ordered to match existing keys.

3.6 Door Jam

3.6.1 The door jams are molded as an integral part of the wall.

3.7 Floors and Skids

3.7.1 Floors and skids are designed and built per requirements.