What’s the Best Type of Equipment Shelter for Storage & Maintenance Purposes?

Many industries require the use of heavy equipment out in the field to complete projects. As some examples, construction crews need their equipment at the building site, mining and oil companies must operate wherever the raw materials are located, and even local municipalities may have ongoing operations that involve security or utility vehicles. Leaving all this equipment exposed to the elements can put it at risk – in addition to rain and snow getting it wet, prolonged exposure to the sun can wear out its electronics and cause its paint to fade. Plus, equipment maintenance crews need shelter so that they can perform their duties comfortably and safe from the weather.

The traditional solution is to build a permanent equipment shelter with the idea that it can be reused in the future. However, there are many drawbacks to constructing a permanent building. For instance:

• It can be costly — Factoring in all the materials that are needed for construction, hiring a contractor to build it, and then maintaining the building, the costs associated with a permanent building can quickly add up.
• It is permanent — If your operations out in the field have a limited lifespan, it just doesn’t make sense to construct a permanent building – you will either have to try to sell it or demolish it when production is complete.
• It can be uncomfortable for your staff — Unless you shell out the costs for climate control, the temperatures inside the building can grow very hot or cold, depending on the weather, which can affect employee morale and performance.

Fortunately, there is an alternative type of equipment shelter that erases these drawbacks and, in fact, provides a host of benefits: a fabric structure from Big Top.

Why Fabric Structures Are Better Than Permanent Buildings

A fabric storage and maintenance shelter from Big Top costs far less than constructing a permanent building. It uses fewer materials and doesn’t require a separate contractor – we can construct it for you, or we can provide the appropriate training so that your own crew can erect your new equipment shelter. Plus, because our shelters can be classified as equipment with the IRS, you may even qualify for tax benefits.

Another key benefit of a fabric equipment shelter from Big Top is that it is mobile and can be anchored to nearly any foundation, including ecology blocks and shipping containers. Once your field operations are complete, your building can be disassembled and stored for future use or shipped to another location. Not only that, but the building itself can be designed to move around your footprint. For example, we can install a rail system that will provide telescopic maneuverability, allowing your shelter to expand or contract as needed.

The hallmark feature of a Big Top structure is the fabric roof, which is formulated to repel 99.95 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation, offering superior protection for your equipment’s electronics and your staff. This also allows it to help maintain a pleasant interior temperature that is on average 15 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than the outside temperature, without the need for climate control.

Other benefits of our fabric roof include:

• It is translucent and will flood the interior of the building with natural light, minimizing or eliminating the need for artificial light, which can help save on operating costs.
• It is rip resistant and secured to a durable frame made of high-quality galvanized steel. As such, your fabric equipment shelter will hold strong against any type of weather year after year.
• It is NFPA701 flame retardant, offering superior protection for your equipment, materials, and staff.

Furthermore, Big Top can include any number of accessories to meet your needs, such as personnel doors, bay doors, heavy-duty flooring, insulation, HVAC systems, lightning protection, and more. We can also add engineering for heavy wind and snow loads to meet local building codes.

To speak with a representative about having a fabric equipment shelter custom designed to meet your needs, contact Big Top today. Since 1979, we’ve worked with companies in just about every industry, even the U.S. military, and we look forward to working with you too.