Fabric Buildings for Construction Sites: A Safer, More Efficient Altern

Buildings used on construction sites require many unique aspects that don’t necessarily equate to other industries. Most construction sites require a building that is temporary or can be relocated; most importantly, one that remains durable and safe. Extra height clearances are an important factor. Good lighting and air quality for workers is of critical importance. The list goes on. Here, we discuss how fabric buildings in construction industry respond to each of these unique considerations versus more traditional building counterparts.

 

Temporary or Relocatable

 

When a temporary or relocatable building is needed, it’s critical that the building continues to be durable and safe to operate in. Traditional buildings such as those made from wood, steel, or concrete can have various challenges when it comes to safe relocation. Disassembling a traditional building requires disconnecting water mains, electricity, and other utilities which can be risky if done incorrectly. Metal buildings in particular do not reassemble well as metal tends to bend, and unsightly holes remain that are made during initial builds.

 

The reinstallation of fabric buildings in construction industry can take mere days, significantly less time than it takes to construct a wood, steel, or concrete building. For jobs that need to be done quickly and efficiently, fabric buildings for construction industry is a good solution.

 

Transportable Foundations

 

In addition to the importance of easy assembly and disassembly, a strong yet transportable foundation is also critical. While fabric buildings can be built on pre-cast or poured concrete, blocks, piers, or helical anchors, these foundations are difficult if not impossible to transport. One good transportable foundation for fabric buildings in construction industry is a helical anchoring system which requires little to no site preparation. The anchors are drilled into the ground in mere minutes, and can be just as easily removed for structures that need to be transported. While helical anchors are ideal for temporary projects, they also create a strong enough hold significant enough for permanent use.

 

For buildings on job sites that require more storage, fabric buildings can be mounted on sea containers providing a sturdy foundation option while offering secure storage space for tools and equipment.

 

Extra Height Clearance

 

Fabric buildings in construction industry are invaluable due to the extra height clearance that can be obtained. Large vehicles, forklifts, and other construction equipment require a lot of space to work in, and fabric buildings offer just that in more ways that one. For example, fabric buildings can be mounted on pony walls, concrete blocks, or 10’ to 20’ high steel legs to add extra height in a manner that is both fast and minimizes risk. Many fabric buildings span as large as 250’ wide and any length, allowing clearspan interiors to work within. Lastly, many fabric buildings in construction industry offer high arched peaks adding to extra height clearances.

 

Calhoun’s high top (HT) series and versatile profile (VP) series structures offer just that. For example, Calhoun’s HT series uses a unique compression coupler design with large top and bottom cords and a deep truss depth, while the VP series offers the ability to interchange different series of trusses to create any size of building for any type of application, anywhere in the world. Both series types are ideal for construction industry customers looking for extra interior height. The extra height and clearspan interior makes unloading large trucks easy and worry free.

 

Natural Lighting

 

One of the main reasons most companies, whether in construction industry or other, opt for a fabric building over traditional building counterparts, is the natural light fabric provides. Most fabric building companies use HDPE fabric which offers 16% translucency for non-fire retardant fabric, and 19% translucency for fire-retardant fabric. The natural light significantly cuts back on artificial light and therefore electricity costs. Humidity, mold, and bacterial growth inside buildings are also significantly cut back, improving overall air quality for workers inside the structures. Studies show that many accidents occur on construction job sites inside buildings where there is insufficient lighting, and many healthcare issues can occur amongst workers inside buildings with poor air quality or ventilation. The natural lighting inside fabric buildings versus traditional building counterparts is bright yet soft on the eyes, ensuring a well-lit workspace that maintains high visibility and good air quality.

 

Other Considerations

 

Other considerations for fabric buildings in construction industry are the experienced teams and installation crews. Most fabric building companies will employ their own construction crews and on-site project managers, or work with a dealer network whom employ their own construction crews and on-site project managers. Professionals like these have extensive knowledge, necessary PPE, and hands-on experience, thereby maximizing job site safety and efficiency. For projects that require adherence to strict building codes or municipal requirements, most fabric structure companies provide stamped engineered drawings for all building projects. Lastly, the fabric itself versus wood, steel, or concrete entails a very low-maintenance property. HDPE fabric does not require harsh chemicals for cleaning, and dust, dirt, and other pollutants can be washed off with water alone. Small holes or tears can quickly and easily be patched up.

 

Safety management is not taken lightly in the construction industry. Mitigating or completely removing as many hazards as possible on the job site reduces injuries, while maintaining time and cost efficiency. Calhoun’s fabric buildings in construction industry offer a unique solution to eliminate potential hazards during temporary construction and relocation. Through design alone, fabric buildings provide the durability, reliability, and protection that guarantees a safe work environment. With strong yet transportable foundation options, extra height clearances, and natural lighting, every construction job operation should consider a fabric structure for its temporary or permanent business needs.