Gap Filler Detail

1960 – National Archives of Canada

10-36-80/5 (JDPG)

Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency,
Griffiss Air Force Base,
Rome, New York,
USA

Attention: RCEMA

Joint Forestry Service & Gap Filler Facility Tower
Design Criteria for Modification

Further to telephone conversation between your Major AE Caplan and our Mr WR Alexander on 8 Jan 60, it is requested tht the following comments be passed to the design authority for the modifications to the AB 509 tower to serve as a joint forestry service and gap filler facility tower.

Our comments are based on a review of Dresser - IDECO drawings Nos 12000-E15 to E20, 12000-F1 and 12000-G3 and GEEIA drawing No RCZ-62 and while it is recognized that these are not the current drawings, they are the only references available to this Headquarters.

Although no reference has been made to the Canadian Forestry Service in the various provinces as yet, it is felt that the present design of the joint purpose tower is not acceptable on the following points:

1. The windows are too small and have too many panes

2. If access to the fire watch cabin must be by a door, the upper portion of the door should provide the same degree of observation as a window.

3. Reduce the blind areas in the corners of the cabin as much as possible

4. Remove the diagonal bracing and redesign the cabin as a rigid frame structure to be connected with high tensile bolts in the field.

5. Redesign the ladder to the roof so that it can be moved out of the way when not in use.

It is requested that this headquarters be provided with a copoy of the design criteria for the modification and six (6) copies of any preliminary sketches prepared by the consulting architect. It is desired to obtain the approval of our Canadian Forestry Service as quickly as possible and preferably before the final redesign is completed.

(JW Griffith) G/C
for CAS