Inquiry Answers .pdf

- What level of Flame Retardancy will be required? NFPA -701, ASTM E-84 Class A or other?

See Section 107340, Part 2.2(A)(4) for fire resistance requirements. NFPA-701 is called out. Other testing standards (such as ASTM E-84, Class A) are acceptable as long as they are “an approved testing standard” for fire resistant fabrics.

- Spec says seamless. Shade fabrics are typically 118-150” wide which would require seams. The widest I know of is 256” but does not meet all the strength requirements in this case. Is there a particular shade cloth that was spec’d?

We prefer high density polyethylene fabric. Seams and hems are acceptable, as long as they are stitched with UV-stabilized sewing thread, or approved equal, and have a double rowlock stitch, or approved equal stitching pattern.

- Assuming the engineer is a fabric engineer?

All market research conducted by the Forest Service was through manufacturer and their designated suppliers.

- Design calls out both a webbing and cabled edge. Which is preferred.

Webbing will be acceptable.

- Spans greater than 40’ are generally discouraged in shade structures and fall under the scope of engineered tensile structures. Have these been reviewed by a fabric engineer?

Our market research determined that a shade structure of the dimensions provided in the drawings can be done under custom design.

- There are only partial dimensions provided. Are there any other drawings that show greater detail?

The provided dimensions are approximate and contractors are encouraged to do their own measures or provide drawings to manufacturers or suppliers to help them size the structure. Additional dimensions along the 3 east columns (along the 63 foot length) are as follows: South-East column to middle column distance = less than or equal to 37’-11”, middle column to north-east column = less than or equal to 26’-

5”, north-east column to north-west column = less than or equal to 33’-3”.

- Do you have any specification on the type of material that would provide the shade?

Our specs indicated our preference is high density polyethylene fabric, outlined in Section 104370.

- Or specific supplier of this type of commercial shade Structure.

The Forest Service did not specify a certain supplier or manufacturer, as we did not want to direct the contractor or do sole-source justification for the project. The Forest Service can only say we contacted a leading company in the US (Southeast to be exact) that supplies and manufacturer’s shade structure products. The contractor will need to do their own market research to find a supplier that can meet the requirements in the specs.