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This project presented several unique challenges. After taking down the existing mast storage shed, a new building was constructed to infill the area between two existing buildings. Shoe-horning a new building between two existing buildings not perfectly parallel or square to each other required detailed field measuring with specialized equipment to provide proper layout points and accurate dimensions for fabrication of the metal building.

Understanding FEMA flood elevation regulations and their impact on the finish floor elevation of the new building in relation to the existing topography and finish floor elevations of the already existing structures was another challenge. Godfrey Hoffman and Associates assisted us in coming up with a viable solution for construction.

The final challenge was understanding the relationship of the newly constructed building to the two existing ones in terms of Fire Code regulations. Gary Tierney of Design Two Architects was instrumental in researching this and developing a construction plan to satisfy all Fire Code requirements.

Under the direction of project manager Joe Pierandi and project foreman, John Lushinks, a new, Varco Pruden pre-engineered steel building with a standing seam metal roof, and panel rib metal siding was constructed. The Munger team also designed and built custom work benches and racking inside the building for the large masts.

Once again, we thank Brewer Yacht Yards for their continued confidence in Munger Construction and wish them well in their newest building.

Our next Success Story is quite unique. New England Propeller in East Haddam, CT was a customer of Munger Construction since Pat Munger himself was running the business more than 30 years ago. Recently they purchased the original home of Go Fly a Kite, a facility also built by Munger Construction 30 years ago. This time Munger was hired to design and construct an 11,000 SF warehouse facility with high bay storage capability.

The challenge here was the positioning of the new building. The new building could not be an attached addition because of the fire codes. The solution was to construct a new building a distance away with a fire rated connector going from one building to the next to enable movement between the two buildings without going outside. Researching the minimum separation was critical to avoid having to go through costly fire-rating construction techniques for a common wall of the buildings.

Moving the building away from the existing building required Munger to design a unique loading dock. Due to the differences in height of the finished floor of the two buildings, the floor of the fire-rated connector had to be sloped at the perfect pitch to allow fully loaded forklifts to navigate the uphill slope. If the slope was too steep, the forklifts could not make the climb. If the slope was too low, the loading docks would not operate properly. The requirement of meeting conflicting zoning and fire code regulations produced yet another challenge.

Ultimately the new facility successfully maximized warehouse space while avoiding zoning variance issues and costly fire rating expenses. The pre-engineered Varco-Pruden building includes a standing seam roof, panel rib siding, loading docks and drive in door capabilities.

Finally, following construction, Munger teamed up with Independence Solar to design and install a 114 kw PV Solar system on the roof of the new building to meet their energy needs.