Gap Filler Detail

1960 – National Archives of Canada

S10-136-80/5 (JDPG)

Victoria Island,
Ottawa, Ontario

21 November 1960

Piette, Audy & Lepinay
1134 Chemin St Louis
Sillery, PQ

Attention: Mr G Piette

Re: Design Briefing
Gap Filler Radar Stations, E Quebec

Dear Sirs:

This letter will confirm a design briefing held between your Messrs G Piette and G Lemieux and our WR Alexander at your office on 9 November 1960.

A general review was made of all Gap Filler Radar Stations in Eastern Quebec. Final design may be proceeded with on the following site: Nicolet. Field surveys will be required when authorized on the following new sites: St Adalbert, Squatteck, L'Anse St Jean, Betsamites, and Lac Lauzon.

DCL will be issuing a change order to existing contract for the final design at the three approved sites and will be requesting an estimate for consulting services on the portion of the work now briefed, followed by a final estimate when completely briefed.

The scope of the work will include the following items:

  1. Modification of standard foundation for either 3-legged or 4-legged tower.

  2. Modification of standard foundation for Radar building (using slab on ground).

  3. Modification of standard foundation for Power and Accommodation Buidling (using slab on ground).

  4. Design of special foundation for Radar building (using R/C slab on piers).

  5. Design of access road, security fencing, fuel oil storage system.

  6. Design of special sewage disposal system if required by Dept of Health.

  7. Design of special foundation for garage and well house if required by site.

  8. Negotiate with Hyrdro Electric authority for power supply if required by site.

  9. Perform additional field survey if required by site.

  10. Arrange for soil investigation if required by site.

  11. Provide for final briefing in Ottawa on drawings, specifications and estimates.

All buildings will be of metal construction. The Radar building will be heated electrically. The Power and Accommodation building will be heated by a hot air furnace, will include 1, 2 or 3 diesel generators and will provide emergency accommodation for 4 men on the basis of 2 days week normal maximum. It will also be equipped with kitchen facilities, chemical toilet and rainwater storage tank.

The sites will be cleared of trees for a maximum of 500 feet radius for radar operations or until the ground drops 50 feet below the elevation of the highest point or for a maximum 500 feet radius for fire protection in high danger areas.

The road allowance will be 66 ft wide, with the power and telephone line approximately in the centre and a 12 ft road with 3 ft shoulders to one side. A narrower road allowance will be acceptable if protection to the pole line is already provided by cleared fields.

The access road may end in a loop around the tower and buildings and may be at a slightly lower elevation. This road should be designed to no better standard than other roads in the area.

The consultant will open negotiations with the various hydro-electric authorities for power supply to the sites and will submit the proposals (without contract forms) to AFHQ for approval. The proposals should clearly state the responsibility for step-down transformers.

The latitude and longitude grid lines, shown on the 1" - 50' and 1" - 200' plans, shall be established by a survey from the site on the ground to a point which can be identified both on the ground and on a topographic map sheet.

The access road plan-profile, on a scale of 1" - 100' H and 1" - 10' V, shall be prepared on clear paper, standard size sheets, and adding profile grid as required. On a sepia of the original drawing, show the proposed alignment and grade of the access road and submit two prints to AFHQ for approval in principle site by site.

The general site plan, on a scale of 1" - 200', shall be prepared on linen or equal, standard size sheets, using latitude and longitude grid lines as match lines, and showing the complete access road to the all-weather road.

The following is a review of plans immediately required at approved sites:

Nicolet

1" - 50' plan - take astronomic shot for azimuth of reference line. Drop decimals in latitude and longitude of survey monuments. Add reference to drawings regarding method of obtaining elevation of bench marks.

1" - 100' H & 1" - 10 ft V access road plan-profile - prepare and submit to AFHQ when tower and buildings are located.

1" - 200' plan - prepare and submit to AFHQ, showing main rural roads in area.

Soil investigation - obtain undisturbed soil test when tower is located.

AFHQ will forward standard designs for towers and buildings and proposed site layouts as soon as available.

All design work shall be programmed for completion before 28 February 1961, in order to permit a spring tender call and summer construction (May to December).

If new sites receive early approval, field surveys will be requested in December 1960, complete with reconnaissance report, interim construction estimate and field survey report.

Correspondence shall be classified as follows:

  1. When dealing with only one site - unclassified

  2. When dealing with more than one site - classified secret.

  3. On progress claims - use consultant and RCAF job nos and omit names of sites - unclassified.

A copy of all field notes on approved sites is required by AFHQ.

It is requested that any points of design not included in this summary and requiring clarification be referred to AFHQ as soon as possible.

Yours truly,

(JW Griffith)
Group Captain
for Chief of the Air Staff