See How Allsite Engineers Their Universal Fabric Buildings

Allsite Rental Structures supplies engineered fabric buildings for use wherever highly reliant and resilient structures can help the organization achieve its mission, smoothly and affordably. Engineered fabric buildings meet international building standards for safety requirements, such as wind resistance, with structural integrity similar to that of a traditional brick and mortar building. Engineered fabric structures are designed and manufactured to provide an all-round, versatile building solution that meets and exceeds the expectations for a wide range of users around the world.

What is an Engineered Fabric Building?

Engineered fabric buildings have more in common with traditional buildings than they do with tents or other canvas structures. These high-strength and durable structures are convenient and cost-effective, making them sought after for use in a growing range of applications where project managers choose them for their versatility and reliability.

Unlike tent structures that are erected with poles or other vertical supports to allow the draping of a canvas cover, an engineered fabric structure is designed to be a self-supporting, reinforced structure that meets or exceeds building codes for wind, earthquake and fire resistance. Allsite’s structures achieve this with a high grade, extruded aluminum alloy frame that forms a curved architectural skeleton over which are tensioned heavy duty fabric panels. The fabric is fed between aluminum beams and tensioned horizontally across the structure, creating a reinforced, high-strength building with a curved, rigid outer skin that is waterproof and UV, wind and fire resistant as well as resistant to mold, mildew and mild chemical contamination.

The combination of the corrosion-free, aluminum alloy, boxed-beam frame system, fully recyclable with an unlimited service life, and high grade 25oz PVC-coated fabric that can last up to 20-30 years, creates a durable, highly versatile engineered building solution usable in almost any environment. Modular with easily transportable and interchangeable components, this system can be installed for short-term, temporary use or for permanent, longer-term or multiple project use. When desired, it can be quickly relocated and reconfigured to provide the optimal solution for its user’s needs. Unlike a non-engineered, generic tent structure that has little resistance to weather and is easily destabilized, the Allsite engineered fabric building can remain stable and in place for many years. Due to its highly durable materials and advanced design, the Allsite tension fabric building requires only minimal maintenance during its service life.

Many Uses for Engineered Fabric Buildings

There are a growing number of reasons that our clients find an engineered tension fabric building to be the best solution for their needs. Today’s business environment is diverse, fast-paced and global in nature, and change comes quickly. Engineered fabric buildings provide a quickly available, unique solution to a wide range of logistically difficult shelter needs across many different applications and time spans. Modular, lightweight and made with advanced materials, engineered fabric structures offer distinct advantages in solving challenges like the following:

• Where a large footprint, clear span, high clearance, portable structure solves the application need
• Where a building solution is needed quickly, in a matter of weeks of order, when there’s no time to wait for traditional construction
• In remote locations where existing structures are not available and are not practical to erect
• On difficult terrain where traditional structures cannot easily be built or where no foundation exists
• In harsh climates where structures must shed heavy snow and rain, discourage ice buildup and be insulatable against extreme heat or cold, mud and other intrusions
• As an affordable, short term option for temporary or permanent use where extra space is needed
• Where capital budgets are limited and an affordable operating lease is preferred
• Where reliability and durability are vital to a safe and successful temporary or permanent installation
• Where traditional buildings are in short supply, costly or not suitable for the application
• Where a bright, open, airy and pleasant interior space is perfect for public use, such as sports or entertainment
• Where easy and quick portability is important as work zones move around the same worksite (crane lift relocation) or move to a distant worksite (disassembly and transport)
• Where a sustainable, low impact, climate friendly and recyclable building solution is desired to meet green building or green project goals

The use and popularity of engineered fabric structures are growing. They are in demand in industries such as aviation, construction, remediation, energy and mining, with new applications being discovered all the time, including school gymnasiums, parks and recreation, municipal salt and sand storage, tennis and swim centers, and a growing range of agricultural uses, including cannabis cultivation. As their advanced design, materials and features continue to progress, there is increasing interest in the use of attractive fabric buildings around the world.

Customization Creates the Perfect Building Solution at the Right Price

As a pre-engineered and reusable structure, the cost of engineered fabric buildings is lower than traditional construction. Lease options make it an even more affordable choice. And, its modular design means that the project engineer can select from a range of components to construct the building that ideally suits the user’s needs, further enhancing value for the price. The resulting structure provides optimal functionality to suit the building’s purpose and location. Unlike an existing traditional building, an engineered structure can be quickly and easily customized, delivering better performance at a lower overall cost. Engineered fabric buildings offer a range of customization options.

Choice of Sizes and Entryways

Engineered fabric structures are available in a choice of widths and can be built in any length, providing exactly the space needed for a project as varied as soil excavation or construction site preparation, or as a large footprint exhibit hall or indoor sports field. As an aviation hangar, an engineered structure can be sized to accommodate small, medium and even large aircraft. With clear span and high clearance architecture, and open gable, wide or clamshell entrance doors, the structure makes it easy to move aircraft into and out of service bays. Steel rollup or fabric freight doors are perfect for industrial applications, while glass single or double personnel doors provide discreet staff and wider public entrance doors for use at conventions, sports and other business or public venues.

Customize for any Climate or Ground Conditions

Anchorage is a key component to fix and stabilize the fabric structure in place. The ideal type of anchorage will vary according to the site surface and geology, as well as the local climate. Anchoring solutions are determined by the project engineer and will be designed into the project plan after observing the site requirements. Extreme weather locations may benefit from additional adaptations, such as beam flaps that cover the beams along the side of the structure and prevent water from penetrating the interior, or concrete berms or ring beams along the perimeter for further waterproofing at the ground level.

Add Features that Enhance Function and Appeal

Engineered fabric buildings are much more than just giant covered structures that protect project assets from bad weather and solar radiation. These buildings are designed to create comfortable and productive indoor work and play environments. Along with the clear span, open and bright character of the high-ceiling, white fabric, the structure can be outfitted with options such as LED lighting, fans and louvered windows. Translucent panels and skylights allow even more light penetration for a brighter interior. The building can accommodate electrical power for machinery and equipment, as well as HVAC and air filtration systems to assure a comfortable and functional space for whatever activity is planned.

For more information on how an engineered fabric building can provide the perfect solution for your building needs, contact Allsite today.