Reconstruction project for the "Kazana" mountain shelter in Pirin National Park, by RescueService.BG
The depreciation of the morally and technically obsolete construction of the Kazana shelter, and the lack of serious actions taken to renovate it, is obvious.
Because of this, we from the Rescue Service.BG decided to form a volunteer working group to prepare a project to modernize the shelter, as well as to carry out the project's implementation. Our main idea and objective is to preserve and improve the functionality of the shelter. As a key place in the mountains, we would like to improve its suitability for critical situations - in adverse weather conditions and/or when necessary to conduct rescue operations in the area.
The working group we formed consists of mountain rescuers, mountain guides, climbers, researchers, engineers, architects and builders who share our values and provide their perspective and experience on the functionality and reliability of the shelter renovation project.
We intend to raise the funds for the implementation of this project in a specially created accumulation account, which will serve the needs of the project and ensure complete transparency as to how they are being spent. As a result, from the voluntary activity of our working group, we have the following proposal and visualization of the future shelter, in line with current trends in architectural and technological construction of similar bivvies in high mountains, in Europe and around the world.
Dimensions of the renovated shelter
The size of the reconstructed Kazana shelter is fully compliant with the legal provisions concerning such activities on the territory of Pirin National Park. The aim is not to change the construction parameters of the existing shelter, to make the most of the existing foundations, and not to expand it additionally in the territory of the National Park.
Load-bearing structure and foundation
The foundation will be in accordance with the one, available from the previous shelter. The new load-bearing structure will be steel frame, made of five main frames, horizontal reinforcing joints, suitable insulation, waterproofing and exterior cladding.
Exterior cladding
The materials for the exterior cladding are fully compliant with the peculiarities of the location and the meteorological conditions typical for high mountains. Weatherproof wood will be used Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) as well as galvanized sheet steel with weather- and scratch-resistant polyester coating. The color of the sheet metal will be dark gray or black. Between the exterior and interior cladding, the walls will be sealed with a two-component inslulation and waterproofing foam.
Roof
The materials will be the same as for the exterior cladding above. In addition, it is planned to install two solar panels to cover the needs of electricity for lighting and battery charging.
Interior walls, floor and furniture
All materials for the interior are selected for durability and good appearance - waterproof plywood and metal for the supportive structure of the bed frames. The floor will be covered with wear- and slip-resistant tiles. It is planned to install seven sleeping bunks, a table (working desk), which in emergency situations can also be used as a bunk, and a bench. Access to each of the higher bunks will be via a ladder.
Door and windows
To allow for the necessary light and fresh air, we have planned a large panoramic window, looking at the north face of Vihren Peak, a triangular roof window for extra light, and a small window above the front door, which will be able to open inwards, to allow fresh air into the room. Each of the windows will have three-layer glazing with special glass, to minimize heat loss.
The front door retains its current aspect due to the weather and terrain features of the shelter's location. It will open inwards and an automatic closing mechanism will be provided, in case someone forgets the door open. This door will - just like the old shelter - be made of wood.
Miscellaneous
We plan to install lightning protection, to supply a first aid kit, interior lighting, an SOS-button in case of an accident, blankets, and a sign with information about the altitude of the shelter. Sign with information about the altitude of the shelter.
Photos and 3D visualizations
Necessary materials - quantity and preliminary price calculations
| NEW STRUCTURE | ||||||
|
№
|
Name of the element
|
Length/Area |
Quantity
|
Unit weight | Weight | Ammount |
| [m (sq. m)] | [kg/m (sq.m)] | [kg] | [BGN] | |||
| А. | Foundations and substructure | |||||
| I. | Foundation frame | |||||
| 1. | Lateral beams - IPE140 steel sections | 2.00 | 2 | 12.9 | 52 | 115 |
| 2. | Diagonals - L 70x70x9 sections | 2.80 | 2 | 9.32 | 52 | 105 |
| 3. | Anchor bolts | – | 16 | – | – | |
| 4. | Chemical anchor system | – | – | – | – | |
| II. | Main steel structure | |||||
| 1. | Main structural frame - type 1 - HEA 140 steel sections | 12.75 | 2 | 24.7 | 630 | 1316 |
| 2. | Main structural frame - type 2 - HEA 140 steel sections | 13.40 | 2 | 24.7 | 662 | 1383 |
| 3. | Secondary structural frame - type 1 - HEA 140 steel sections | 12.00 | 1 | 24.7 | 296 | 619 |
| 4. | Secondary structural frame - type 2 - HEA 140 steel sections | 12.65 | 1 | 24.7 | 312 | 653 |
| 5. | Horizontal beams type 1 - SHS 80x5 | 3.00 | 4 | 11.6 | 139 | 448 |
| 6. | Horizontal beams type 2 - SHS 80x5 | 3.15 | 7 | 11.6 | 256 | 824 |
| 7. | Vertical elements - SHS 80x5 | 3.30 | 5 | 11.6 | 191 | 616 |
| III. | S235JRG2 Steel sections: | kg | – | 155.82 | 2591 | |
| IV. | Steel connections 7% | kg | – | 11 | 181 | 379 |
| V. | Structural steel S235JRG2 - Summed quantity: | kg | – | 167 | 2772 | 6081 |
| VI. | OUTER ENVELOPE | |||||
| 1. | Outer shell - sheet steel 4 mm | 45.00 | 1 | 31.4 | 1413 | 957 |
| 2. | Thermal insulation PU foam 10 cm | 45.00 | 1 | 4.5 | 203 | 1575 |
| VII. | INTERIOR | |||||
| 1. | Interior cladding - 21 mm plywood | 42.00 | 1 | 13.6 | 571 | 2100 |
| 2. | 40 mm plywood furniture | 7.60 | 1 | 22.4 | 170 | 456 |
| VIII. | Summed weight of the structure | kg | – | 5129 | 10713 | |
Prepared by: eng. Dimitar Pashov
NOTE: All lengths, areas and sections in this table are preliminary and approximate. Precise material quantites will be extracted after the complete architectural and structural design project is finished.
Necessary funds and deadlines
A total of about BGN 60,000 will be necessary to provide the materials, helicopter transport and pay for the work of the builders.
We plan and hope that the new shelter will be completed by the end of 2022.
Donations can be made to the following bank account:
Bank: United Bulgarian Bank JSC
BIC: UBBS BGSF
IBAN: BG76UBBS80021015111650
Beneficiary: Rescue Service.BG
Reason for payment: Kazana shelter reconstruction
Data on all donations is publicly available and can be tracked via this spreadsheet
The spreadsheet is updated up to twice a week. Please, note that not all donations are updated in real time.
