By Steve Switzer
V.P. of Sales, Precision Quincy Corp.
When charged with the task of finding the best shelter to protect valuable equipment, construction managers must weigh several factors including location, environment, accessibility, government regulations, local building codes, aesthetics, and, of course, budget constraints, There are generally three types of shelters to choose from; fiberglass, lightweight metal, and pre-cast concrete. Each has its own niche in the marketplace and it is important to understand the advantages that each type offers.
The first and foremost consideration is the chosen site location. If the shelter’s location will be in a rural area, this is referred to as a raw land site and it is the most desirable scenario since many typical obstacles can be easily overcome. Some valid concerns for sites in rural areas are the access roads and the shelter’s proximity to any surrounding hunting activity. Some people might assume that concrete shelters are bulletproof, but evidence suggests that hunters will often aim for specific areas on the shelter, such as door locks, and vents and air conditioning units which are not well protected. While most major shelter manufacturers can provide various levels of bullet-resistant designs, it is nearly impossible to make a shelter bulletproof.
Sometimes sites need to be deployed in crowded urban areas and this frequently means rooftop applications. For this application, weight often becomes a significant concern and obviously a lightweight shelter would be the logical choice since not only do they meet building codes, they can also be built with fire-rated protection. Another advantage to lightweight metal shelters in this application is the ability to easily match the exterior facade with materials and colors that blend in with the surrounding buildings and environment. The issue of aesthetics is often a factor to consider and frequently requires approval by committee in various cities and municipalities that might, for instance, specify a brick style and color or perhaps request a rustic-looking cedar-sided exterior that blends in well with a heritage community or the area’s natural surroundings.
Unfortunately, any location can be susceptible to the hazards of fire damage. In the unlikely case that a fire should occur, it is of paramount importance that your equipment shelter be bi-directionally fire-rated. This means the shelter will have the ability to contain a fire from exiting the shelter as well as protecting its contents from a fire threat outside. This is known as a certified fire-rated model and can reduce levels of legal liability. There is a huge difference between any given shelter’s stated inherent fire resistance and one having a certified fire-rated construction design. For a shelter manufacturer to categorically state a one- or two-hour fire rating, they must either utilize a pre-existing published design or utilize their own design that has been verified independently and subjected to destructive testing to ensure the validity of the design.
While all states set certain minimum construction standards, most require that manufacturers have their designs registered and approved through their respective state’s pre-manufactured building program. These programs can vary from state to state, but basically require that a shelter manufacturer have their designs submitted, reviewed, and pre-approved before final inspection by an independent state appointed engineering firm. Many states will require P.E. stamped prints and calculations, along with several factory inspections to occur in-house through various stages of the shelter’s construction before they will formally stamp/certify and approve the shelter for deployment.
Some of the most difficult sites to build are those that are furthest away from civilization. These remote sites pose their own set of problems. They may be on mountaintops, in harsh weather conditions and generally have difficult or limited access. In some instances, a site may not be able to accommodate little more than a cabinet-sized enclosure. Environmental extremes might dictate a shelter’s snow load, wind load, and seismic rating. Engineering criteria and the amount of installed equipment may be needed to determine appropriate floor loads. All of these variables should be considered and factored into your choice for the appropriate design and manufacture of the equipment shelter.
If a site will be located in an area prone to humidity, a high saturation of salt air, or anywhere in close proximity to a body of water, a fiberglass shelter might be your best choice. This material and construction is extremely low-maintenance and can more easily withstand moisture and mold problems. If properly fitted with stainless steel hardware and fittings, it should not rust or corrode. Fiberglass shelters are often the only choice for chemical plants and wastewater and sewage processing facilities for this very reason.
Even after researching the location, environment, access, and regulations, there is always going to be the question of cost. How much is it going to cost? In our ever-changing global economy, the cost to build a site is often one of the most crucial pieces to the puzzle and the initial price of the shelter is usually just the first part of the equation. Obviously, the location of the shelter manufacturer in proximity to the site and the weight of the completed shelter will affect freight costs. Simply put, the larger the shelter, the more it costs to transport it to its final destination. Weight will also play a significant role in the crane costs. The more it weighs, the bigger the crane will have to be in order to lift and set it into place. For instance, a standard concrete shelter may weigh upwards of 60,000 pounds, which might typically require a 150-ton crane, whereas a similarly sized lightweight metal shelter or fiberglass shelter might weigh around 18,000 pounds and thus only requires a 35-ton crane. The savings associated with just this one portion of the overall construction build can be significant.
Some final questions to ask have to do with the shelter company’s reputation and attention to quality. How well protected and organized are the contents in the shelter when it arrives? Does it come equipped with an installation manual, inspection checklist, set-up instructions and routine maintenance recommendations? Is the interior clean and free of clutter? Does the manufacturer have a valid acknowledged quality assurance certificate and quality control program in place? If the answer to these questions is yes, then your set-up will ultimately go more smoothly, saving your company both time and money.
Finally, of course, a shelter manufacturer’s warranty and customer service policy must be considered. Most shelters arrive in good condition, but what if a problem happens 6 months down the road? Will the manufacturer still honor the warranty and correct any problems that do arise? It is essential to do this extensive advance research and establish relationships with reputable companies that not only provide quality products, but also stand behind those products and their workmanship. Be sure to read and confirm their standard warranty as well as any available extended warranty options.
Exhaustive investigation of a shelter manufacturer’s design features and manufacturing processes on the front end will undoubtedly ensure an on-time, on-budget construction project every time.
Precision Quincy Corp.
1625 W. Lake Shore Dr.
Woodstock, IL 60098
P: 815-338-2675
F: 815-338-2960
T: 800-338-0079
pqsales@precisionquincy.com
www.precisionquincy.com |
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Some of the most difficult sites to build are those that are furthest away from civilization. These remote sites pose their own set of problems.
Sometimes equipment shelter sites need to be deployed in crowded urban areas and this frequently means rooftop applications.
The first and foremost consideration for the equipment shelter is the site location.
The larger the shelter, the more it costs to transport it to its final destination. Weight will also play a significant role in the crane costs.
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