One of the major advantages of the Allsite Tension Fabric Structure is how fast and easy it is to get the building up and running. When rPlanet Earth™, an innovative, environmentally-focused plastics recycler, approached Allsite for a temporary warehouse building solution, we responded. Follow as this company’s warehouse requirements become an on-the-ground reality.
Here is what we cover in this article:
- A Manufacturer’s Need for Temporary Warehouse Space
- The Tensile Structure Solution
- Aluminum Frame installation
- PVC Panel Installation
- Accessories for Your Semi Permanent Structure
- Watch the Tension Fabric Structure Install
- Allsite’s Temporary Warehouse Solutions
(Are you in need of extra warehouse space? Let us know in the comments below!)
An Environmentally-Focused Innovator
rPlanet Earth™ is a vertically integrated manufacturer, located in Vernon, CA, not far from Los Angeles. Their mission is to create a sustainable reuse model for single-serve PET material by recycling the materials into new post-consumer packaging. The operation, dedicated to producing packaging solutions with a low carbon footprint, has grown rapidly. The company recycled over 6,700 metric tons of plastic in 2020.
By 2022, it became clear to management that the rapid success of rPlanet Earth™ had created capacity challenges at their facility, where space for storing finished goods in a food-grade facility was in short supply. Temporary warehouse space was needed.
The Allsite Tension Fabric Structure Solution
Upon reviewing rPlanet Earth’s requirements, Allsite proposed a solution using two 11,000 sq. ft. tension fabric structures, with an aluminum alloy frame and PVC fabric panels, that would provide the needed semi-permanent and portable warehouse space for safely storing finished recycled plastic packaging intended for use in the food industry. The use of two smaller structures meant that building permits were easily met, reducing the time required to put the warehouses to use.
Other specifications included the anchoring solutions. The temporary buildings would be anchored to the concrete slab at the installation location with concrete screws that can be easily
Because the temporary warehouses would be regularly accessed by employees, and to meet local requirements, Allsite engineers provided a safety plan with drawings of the building, showing egress routes, exit signage, and emergency lighting locations.
The Power of the Tensile Structure
Unlike traditional structures that use gravity to stabilize the building frame, tension fabric structures, also called tensile structures, use tension to create strength and stability. For example, the power of tension is seen at work in suspension bridges. Tension fabric structures have advantages unavailable in traditional structures. Tensile structures are versatile and can be designed in many shapes and forms. Prefabricated and standardized, these temporary buildings can be quickly available. They are lightweight and easy to transport. They can be raised quickly, and taken down just as easily when no longer needed. And, these temporary structures require very little maintenance and upkeep, making them excellent solutions for many applications, from aviation to industry to sports.
The Allsite tension fabric structure (TFS) is supported by a highly-engineered aluminum alloy frame. The frame’s lightweight components are transported via flatbed to the installation site. The frame is covered with PVC fabric panels, each connected and tensioned between the ribs of the frame, creating weather and UV-resistant skin and creating tensile strength that makes this an extremely stable and durable structure in any climate or location.
Clients work with the Allsite team to identify the size and configuration of the tensile structure, review options, and make a final plan. The TFS parts are then gathered and quickly delivered to the installation site. Allsite helps the client to comply with any local permit requirements, after which the project is readyto begin.
The rPlanet Earth™ Tension Fabric Structure Installation
The installation site at rPlanet Earth™ was a fairly tight worksite and it took some creativity on the part of the team to complete the installation. This project was a good opportunity for Allsite to document the entire installation process as a visual tool to show how these well-designed temporary structures are put in place quickly to get up and running so clients can get on with their business.
At this point, the rPlanet Earth™ project had all the parts on-site and permits in place, so installation of the semi permanent portable warehouse buildings was ready to begin.
Installation of the Frame
Once the TFS parts arrived on site, the tensile structure’s baseplates were anchored to the ground, in this case, a concrete slab on the rPlanet Earth™ corporate campus. The lightweight aluminum alloy ribs of the frame were put in place around the baseplate-secured frame, ready to be connected and raised.
Elevating the Structure
The curved ribs of the extruded aluminum frame are now in place and secured. The lightweight structure is easily maneuvered, section by section, and elevated into place by a reach forklift. Once two arches are up, the first fabric panels are installed to tension the structure and allow for the remainder of the arches to be raised. Workers use a boom lift to access the elevated portion and complete the assembly, securing cables and purlins to the aluminum alloy frame of the portable warehouse.
Panel Installation
Once the frame is in place, the fabric is pulled through a track on the extruded aluminum frame, creating the ceiling and walls of the building. The fabric is tensioned both vertically and horizontally. The horizontal tensioning is a key component to the design of the TFS and differentiates our structure from most other tents on the market. This makes the fabric extremely taut and locked into the track, creating a tight seal and eliminating fabric from flapping in the wind. Fabric panels are fit between each set of arches. Gable frame and fabric are added on the front and back of the building to give you a fully sealed weather proof structure. The highly stable temporary building meets local code requirements, including seismic codes. The bright white fabric panels reflect the sun, helping keep the interior cooler, and they create a highly reflective environment allowing fewer lights to illuminate the space, thus lowering costs.
Adding Options and Accessories
The team at rPlanet Earth selected lighting fixtures, ventilation fans, and roll-up cargo door options for the temporary structure which were installed to complete the project. The team then went through the project punch list and completed finishing items and inspections.
Watch the rPlanet Earth™ Temporary Warehouse Installation Happen
A Simple and Environmentally Friendly Warehouse Solution
The Allsite TFS provided a simple solution for rPlanet Earth™ to quickly solve its temporary warehouse space problem. This was a great choice for a company that exists to promote the recycling of resources because the TFS is environmentally friendly. Aluminum is a very strong, rust and corrosion-resistant metal, so the Allsite frame has an indefinite productive life. When it is no longer needed, aluminum can be sold and fully recycled. The PVC canvas fabric panels have a life of 30 years or more, providing decades of low-impact service before they have to be replaced. The modular structure can be used over and over again, with each use helping to save natural resources that would be required if constructing a traditional building.
You’ve seen from the video that the construction of this portable warehouse building makes little environmental impact. The Tensile Structure (TFS) is an eco-friendly solution for temporary warehouse space. It is lightweight and requires less fuel for transportation to the installation site. Furthermore, the structure comes with all required parts that are reusable, so there is no wasteful construction material. Cleanup is easy and has no environmental impact. The TFS is suitable for a variety of surfaces, from turf, (stakes or screws will leave holes that can easily be patched over), to gravel and even wet or rocky ground, and it leaves no significant damage. The aluminum alloy frame and PVC fabric panels require minimal maintenance, reducing the use of resources compared to traditional structures.
Temporary Building Solutions with Allsite Structures
The choice of the Allsite TFS worked out well for rPlanet Earth™, who put the temporary buildings to use for their food-grade plastic container inventory storage. The quick fulfillment of the extra storage capacity allowed the company to continue its growth trajectory on time and on track.
Allsite has helped businesses across many industries, as well as local governments, schools, and community organizations, find the extra temporary warehouse space that they need to carry out their work successfully. For more information on the Allsite TFS for your organization, give us a call today at 1-888-532-2129.”
