Warning - borderline Rant
I had a chance to visit the Carrigain Fire Tower on Saturday, the first time I have been there since it was rebuilt. The rebuild apparently was completed by WMNF paid crews or contractors last year.
My nitpicking in no way impacts the great views still visible from the tower but I would like to comment on the poor decisions made for the rebuild.
Generally my expectation is that when paid crews rebuild a long term structure that they will do it correct in compliance with reasonable workmanship and building code. I have no objections on the replacement of deck boards on the top deck but do have issues with the selected stair treads. When the structure was redesigned long ago there was some care done in the redesign to incorporate a reasonable rise and run on the stair treads and metal cleats were installed on the stringers to support a reasonable tread width. Unfortunately despite the provisions for a reasonable tread width, there was a decision made at some point during the rebuild to use 2x6 single stair treads where they should have been 2x10 or possibly 2x12. For those unfamiliar with lumber dimensional sizing a "2x6" can be a narrow as 5-1/4". I expect the decision was made by the field crew working with what was delivered but someone dropped the ball allowing this compromise to be made. I personally am quite accustomed to far shakier access to fire towers but too many folks, despite climbing up the mountain with no issues they have issues with climbing towers. (it would be an interesting thread as I have encountered many with this phobia) To them the decision to go with a less than standard tread width is the difference between being able to climb the tower or not. There is also question of durability, a 2x6 tread is going to be less durable in the long term than a 2x10 given that the same number of feet will be impacting a smaller surface area.
The depressing thing about the repair is that many of the former deck boards (still piled on the summit and in reasonable condition) could have been reused as wider treads. I expect the stair treads were shipped pre cut as the alternative would have been to use the 2x6 boards on the deck and use the wider deck boards on the stair treads.
There is an additional flaw which I believe is left over from the original reconstruction on the upper level grated landing that should have been addressed during this recent rebuild related to a structural support missing an end clip. It causes the grating to drop down and rock when stepped on. With power tools it would have been easy to fix but expect this issue will remain until the next rebuild.
Overall at least the FS elected to rebuild rather than tear out the tower but for similar effort they could have done it right.
Despite the issues, still a nice day for hike to favorite destination.
I had a chance to visit the Carrigain Fire Tower on Saturday, the first time I have been there since it was rebuilt. The rebuild apparently was completed by WMNF paid crews or contractors last year.
My nitpicking in no way impacts the great views still visible from the tower but I would like to comment on the poor decisions made for the rebuild.
Generally my expectation is that when paid crews rebuild a long term structure that they will do it correct in compliance with reasonable workmanship and building code. I have no objections on the replacement of deck boards on the top deck but do have issues with the selected stair treads. When the structure was redesigned long ago there was some care done in the redesign to incorporate a reasonable rise and run on the stair treads and metal cleats were installed on the stringers to support a reasonable tread width. Unfortunately despite the provisions for a reasonable tread width, there was a decision made at some point during the rebuild to use 2x6 single stair treads where they should have been 2x10 or possibly 2x12. For those unfamiliar with lumber dimensional sizing a "2x6" can be a narrow as 5-1/4". I expect the decision was made by the field crew working with what was delivered but someone dropped the ball allowing this compromise to be made. I personally am quite accustomed to far shakier access to fire towers but too many folks, despite climbing up the mountain with no issues they have issues with climbing towers. (it would be an interesting thread as I have encountered many with this phobia) To them the decision to go with a less than standard tread width is the difference between being able to climb the tower or not. There is also question of durability, a 2x6 tread is going to be less durable in the long term than a 2x10 given that the same number of feet will be impacting a smaller surface area.
The depressing thing about the repair is that many of the former deck boards (still piled on the summit and in reasonable condition) could have been reused as wider treads. I expect the stair treads were shipped pre cut as the alternative would have been to use the 2x6 boards on the deck and use the wider deck boards on the stair treads.
There is an additional flaw which I believe is left over from the original reconstruction on the upper level grated landing that should have been addressed during this recent rebuild related to a structural support missing an end clip. It causes the grating to drop down and rock when stepped on. With power tools it would have been easy to fix but expect this issue will remain until the next rebuild.
Overall at least the FS elected to rebuild rather than tear out the tower but for similar effort they could have done it right.
Despite the issues, still a nice day for hike to favorite destination.
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