April 2016
Archer Western Aviation Partners Completes Preliminary Test of Innovative High Expansion Foam System
WICHITA, KS – Archer Western Aviation Partners, in association with its subcontracting partners and American Fire Sprinkler Corporation, successfully completed the preliminary testing of a high expansion foam system for the first hangar built to house the KC-46A aircraft at McConnell Air Force Base (AFB).
This system protects large-frame fixed-wing aircraft, and is the first of its kind to utilize foam inductors to supply foam generators at 75-feet above ground-level. Archer Western Aviation Partners and the McConnell AFB Fire Department monitored the foam dissipation, and an all-clear condition was achieved when the foam levels reduced to a height of two feet.
The high expansion foam system will safeguard more than 380,000 SF of hangar space for the Air Force’s next-generation KC-46A Tanker. This complex system requires added pressure from larger pumps, along with a precise approach to locating foam generators that cover the vast amount of space in the required timeframe.
“The success of our initial test was the direct result of the American Fire Sprinkler staff working with vendors and industry experts to examine every aspect of this scope,” said Senior Project Manager Neal Ridgeway. “Our staff worked closely with our local electrical subcontractor, Shelley Electric, and our monitoring subcontractors, Sandifer Engineering and Detronics, to produce a complete system that meets the government requirements.”
Archer Western Aviation Partners is currently constructing the hangar space, which includes a 175,000 SF 3-Bay General Purpose Hangar, a 145,000 SF 2-Bay Corrosion Control/Fuel Cell Hangar, 69,000 SF General Maintenance Hangar and Aircraft Parking Apron. The overall project is scheduled for completion in February 2017.
Archer Western Aviation Partners is a Joint Venture between Walsh Federal, LLC, Alberici Constructors, Inc. and Flintco, LLC.