The project involves modification of the bulk salt system in the Quarantine Building at the Roanoke Island Aquarium in Manteo, NC. The existing building consists of steel roof framing, concrete block walls, and a concrete floor slab. Part of the slab is on-grade and part is over concrete tanks that are used to create saltwater solution by combining fresh water with salt. There are several 24”x24” grated openings in the elevated slab. It is proposed that a new 24”x24” opening be installed to facilitate adding salt to the tanks. The perimeter of the opening will be framed with FRP members to support the cut slab edges and removeable grating. A new overhead monorail hoist beam and associated support beams will be installed over the opening so that large totes of salt can be lifted and moved over the opening and dumped into the tank. The new beams will be supported by two existing wide flange steel roof beams. A section of the existing hard ceiling will be cut out and modified to accommodate the hoist, which will be installed as high as possible to maximize the hoist clearance above the slab. It is anticipated that the salt totes will weigh about 1,300 lbs, so the hoist will be designed for a maximum lifted load of 1,500 lbs.
