Dual Protection
The synergistic effect of a duplex coating system comprising of painting or powder coating over galvanizing provides 1.5 to 2.3 times the life span of either system if used on its own.
The construction of a new transit center in Lauderhill, FL will soon accommodate the entire Broward County Transit Division’s fixed route bus fleet, as well as, the smaller coach and community buses. The new transit center sits on 1.5 acres in the existing Lauderhill Mall and will serve over 8,000 passengers daily. Premiere Design Solutions provided professional engineering and architectural services to design the three new buildings with ten (10) bus bays, a security office, public restroom, and two (2) platforms. The facility will be used by articulated, regular and local community buses. The Broward County Transit Centers have fixed routes to provide connections to the community’s multimodal transportation network and system-wide connections at four terminals: Broward Central Terminal (downtown Fort Lauderdale), West Regional Terminal (Plantation), Lauderhill Mall Transfer Facility (Lauderhill), and Northeast Transit Center (Pompano Beach).
The canopies at the new transit center will be an important feature for travelers. Lauderhill, FL receives 63 inches of rain per year, 65% more than the US average. In additional to rainfall, large volumes of vehicle traffic will expose the new structures to corrosive exhaust fumes constantly. Selecting an adequate coating system is important for the longevity of the new structure and as a tax-payer funded facility, future costs would need to be kept at a minimum. The team also wanted the canopies to blend in to the colorful, vibrant surroundings. Although paint or powder coating would provide the aesthetic they desired, the corrosion protection and durability would be compromised. On the other hand, a highly effective method of corrosion protection, hot-dip galvanizing, would not allow for customization to match the general color scheme. The team determined a duplex coating would satisfy all their requirements. The synergistic effect of the two systems would provide the 1.5 to 2.3 times the life span of either system used on its own while the blue top coat pops against the mosaic architectural façade on the buildings. This supreme coating system will protect the canopy from its environment while it protects passengers from the elements.