9' x 15' Elevated Watch Tower Booth

Observation Tower

Rand Enterprises, Inc. recently partnered with Panel Built to design and deliver a specialized elevated watch tower booth in Patuxent River, Maryland. The project required a durable, high-visibility structure that could meet strict specifications and provide long-term comfort for personnel stationed on site.

Solution

Panel Built engineered and fabricated a 124-square-foot elevated booth, mounted on 12-foot structural steel columns to achieve a total height exceeding 21 feet. This configuration provides personnel with an expansive field of view while maintaining a compact and efficient footprint.

The tower features four insulated double-hung windows and a steel entry door with half-glass to maximize visibility in every direction. Inside, the booth is finished with white HDPE interior walls, a suspended ceiling, and black small-coin rubber flooring with cove base for added durability and easy maintenance.

Comfort and functionality were key priorities. The interior environment is climate controlled with a wall-mounted mini-split HVAC system and a forced-air wall heater, supported by a 200-amp load center powering the full electrical package. The booth’s systems include LED panel lighting, dusk-to-dawn floodlights, GFCI outlets, and occupancy sensors for efficient operation. Additional safety features include lightning protection, a fire extinguisher cabinet, and entrance matting.

Access is provided through an OSHA-compliant stair and landing system built with bar grating treads and bright yellow powder-coated handrails for safety and visibility. The tower’s exterior is finished in an orange and white aviation checkerboard pattern, ensuring it stands out clearly in an airfield environment.

Key Features

  • Elevated Steel Structure: 124 sq. ft. booth elevated on 12-foot columns, reaching a total height over 21 feet.

  • Durable Interior Finishes: White HDPE walls, suspended ceiling, and rubber flooring for long-lasting performance.

  • Full Electrical Package: 200-amp load center, LED panel lighting, dusk-to-dawn floodlights, and occupancy sensors.

  • Climate Control: Wall-mounted mini-split HVAC and forced-air wall heater for year-round comfort.

  • Safety and Compliance: Lightning protection, fire extinguisher cabinet, OSHA-compliant stair system, and high-visibility powder-coated handrails.

  • Distinctive Exterior: Orange and white aviation checkerboard finish for enhanced airfield visibility.

  • Structural Integrity: Engineered to withstand 115 mph wind loads (based on 145 mph standards) and snow loads of 50 psf.

Conclusion

The completed tower booth weighs approximately 10,000 pounds and provides a secure, comfortable, and highly visible workspace for personnel monitoring the surrounding area. Engineered for strength and precision, the structure demonstrates how modular construction can deliver complex, custom solutions while maintaining safety and performance in demanding environments.

Special thanks to Rand Enterprises, Inc. for their partnership on this unique project.

Elevated Watch Tower Booth