By Brett Bodzinski
How Fabric Structures Can Be Used for SAND AND SALT STORAGE AND FLEET MANAGEMENT
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tate and local governments are largely responsible for maintaining and clearing roads of snow and ice during the winter months. If state governments or local municipalities are unprepared for snow removal and the maintenance of roads and other infrastructure, it could result in dangerous driving conditions that could likely have a significant negative impact on travel and commerce throughout the affected area. To maintain roadways effectively and efficiently, these operations need a reliable structure to keep deicing agents, such as sand and salt, shielded from the elements, as well as having a space to store and maintain vehicles and equipment, so they can successfully deliver the deicing agents and clear roadways. There may be no better structure to accommodate all these needs than a fabric structure. Over the past several decades, fabric structures have been rapidly rising in popularity and are becoming the standard structural solution in many industries. This is largely due to the fact that they provide a versatile design and a low cost per square foot that allows operations to obtain a building that best compliments their operation without the large investment in time and money that often accompanies traditional buildings. Fabric structures have proven to be especially effective for municipalities and larger snow and ice contractors looking to store sand and salt, as well as manage and maintain their fleets. It is incredibly important that materials like salt and sand be stored in a safe and dry environment. If exposed to the wind and precipitation, these materials could be rendered useless and can even contaminate streams, wells, and groundwater, negatively impacting the surrounding environment. There are many direct opera-
ClearSpan Fabric Structures
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tional benefits from using a fabric structure that are experienced right away, such as a lower price point compared to traditional solutions, faster project timelines and an abundance of customization options to suit specific needs. Fabric structures feature many structural benefits, like the cover, frame, and clear span design that provide an advantage for storing sand and salt.
Cover-Up When contractors or government entities are looking at investing in a fabric structure, they should be looking for a structure that is clad with a strong polyethylene fabric cover. A polyethylene fabric cover offers protection for sand and salt from high winds, rain, and snow, keeping the material together, dry, and ready to use year-round. These durable covers allow light to filter through, creating a well-lit environment that is soft on the eyes, while also increasing visibility and creating a comfortable atmosphere for crews to work in. Since natural sunlight can permeate through these fabric covers during the day, operations can reduce the amount of supplemental lighting needed to preform regular job duties, resulting in lower energy bills and a greater return on investment.
Frame and Design What operations want to look for under a fabric cover is a sturdy galvanized steel frame. A galvanized steel frame not only provides strength and stability to the structure, but it is also resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for storing salt and any other types of corrosive materials that can degrade a structure over time. Depending on the layout, some fabric structures can even provide natural ventilation that limits mois-
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