Harsh  Conditions No Match For Cover-All TITAN Building

Since Seward Ship’s Drydock incorporation in 1990, covering the shipyard so harsh weather wouldn't affect day-to-day operations had been a top priority. But finding a suitable building was no easy task. Because of tough zoning requirements including exposure D, earthquake zone 4, and the extreme winds in Seward, Alaska, the search would span the world for several years. The discovery of a unique module steel wall system and a Cover-All® building would come together as the solution they were looking for.

“We literally shopped the world for 10 years to create what we have today,” says Don Whitman, general manager, Seward Ship’s Drydock. The impressive structure is comprised of a 110’ wide x 210’ long Cover-All® TITAN® building mounted on a 55’ x 220’ steel foundation. The foundation is constructed of submarine enclosure modules that sat on the site without a cover since 1998 while the search continued for the ideal building solution.

“Before we found Cover-All three years ago, we couldn’t find a building that was big enough that met UBC (Unified Building Code) and NFC (National Fire Code) requirements yet was still cost-effective,” says Whitman. "We service ships from all over the world that are 5,000 tons and 350 feet long, so having adequate room is important." Cover-All® buildings are pre-engineered fabric-covered buildings that offer clear-span widths up to 160 feet, which accommodate a multitude of industrial applications.

Because of the unusual installation required for this project, local Cover-All Dealer, Alaska Cover-All, worked with several companies to plan each stage of installing the TITAN® on top of the massive 55 foot high steel wall. “It was an effort from everyone,” says Paul Nelson, general manager, Alaska Cover-All. “If it wasn’t for the creativity and ingenuity of the people involved, this project would never have gotten off the ground.”

The Cover-All® TITAN® building’s steel trusses were constructed in five separate sections on the ground then lifted by crane onto the foundation. Once the sections were in place, a specialized winch was used to position the fabric panels and join the sections together to complete the building cover. The installation of the Cover-All® building was complete in just 14 days.

Since the building’s construction, it has become a local landmark. "The city is very pleased with the final look. It was a group and community effort to complete this project,” says Whitman.