Equipment Shelters: What They Are and How They’re Used
Exposing your equipment to the elements, whether outdoors or indoors, is often not the best move. Whether you’re working with a pump station, power control system, or something else, unnecessary exposure to weather, animals, or even crime or vandalism can lead to issues with your equipment. Adding equipment shelters is a natural way to circumvent this problem and keep everything covered and operating the way it should. In this article, we’ll cover what equipment shelters are, where they’re used, some of their features, and more.
What Are Equipment Shelters?
Equipment shelters are simple structures that protect machinery, equipment, or control panels/systems from environmental or outside conditions. They do not technically have to be outdoors, though they often are. They can be built from steel, anodized aluminum, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or various other composite materials.
Equipment shelters are not to be confused with small electrical enclosures, which might house a small device or system. Equipment shelters, on the other hand, often have things like HVAC systems, lighting, doors, access systems, and other features.
As we alluded to already, they can be either indoor or outdoor. Outdoor equipment shelters can of course be designed to handle a variety of weather conditions, including wind, rain, snow, and more. Additionally, with modular structures, you can even relocate your building if need be, which may be especially useful if it’s temporary.
Where Are Equipment Shelters Used?
Equipment shelters help protect systems in many industries. Some common uses include:
- pump stations
- electrical substations
- radar installations
- traffic control systems
- oil and gas sites
Features and Customization Choices for Equipment Shelters
Of course, each equipment shelter will be different depending on its use. As a result, they can have a variety of different features, some of the most common of which are shown below:
- HVAC Systems: Can include ventilation and insulation as well.
- Special Access Systems: Multi-point locking systems, alarms, and surveillance.
- Fire Resistant: Can be built with fire-rated materials to reach compliance with relevant codes.
- Sound-Dampening Walls: Acoustic insulation is possible as well if equipment is noisy or disruptive.
- Interior Features: Can be outfitted with racks, shelving, cable trays, and more.
- Custom Sizes: Layouts can be single-room or multi-room setups.
- Integrated Electrical: Pre-wired with LED lighting, outlets, and more.
- Exterior Finishes: Can add weather-resistant paint, marine coatings, or camouflage.
- EMF and RF Shielding: Protects electronics from interference.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of features your equipment shelter can have, but it should give you some idea as to the extensive choices available.
Benefits of Modular Equipment Shelters
Once you determine your equipment needs a shelter, you’ll usually have to choose between modular and traditional construction.
One of the biggest benefits, as we mentioned briefly already, is that with modular you can disassemble your structure and bring it to another location, if need be. The building is built in prefabricated sections that are made within a factory and then brought on-site to assemble, so obviously you get a greater degree of flexibility. This does not mean, however, that they are inherently temporary. In fact, many of these buildings last decades, just as long or longer than traditional buildings.
Regardless of whether you choose modular or traditional construction, a shelter for your equipment can help you prevent avoidable accidents and damage.
The Bottom Line
Equipment shelters are basic buildings that can house your machinery, systems, and other equipment from various kinds of damage or wear and tear. They’re in many industries, from oil & gas to utilities. Whether you need them outdoors or indoors, they can be built with a whole variety of features, including HVAC systems, fire-rated walls, sound insulation, and more. Moreover, if you choose modular equipment shelters, you can install them faster, as well as futureproof your investment.
Interested in building shelters for your equipment? Reach out to the experts at MachineEnclosure.com today for a quote on new structures.
FAQs About Equipment Shelters
1. Are permits typically required to install equipment shelters?
In most places, yes. However, always check with local authorities/regulations to make sure; your manufacturer can work with you to confirm this as well.
2. How long do modular equipment shelters last?
With basic maintenance, modular shelters can last just as long or longer than traditional buildings, often lasting decades.
3. Can shelters be designed to meet specific regulations?
Yes. Equipment shelters can be built to comply with a range of codes, including NEMA, UL, NFPA, and local building requirements.
