Short term solutions

Temporary structures are fast to erect, environmentally friendly to run and, if leased, not necessarily a drain on financial resources – all pros designed to help terminal operators overcome niggling capacity headaches.

To cope with sudden capacity challenges, speed of assembly is - all manufactures agree - a must.
Depending on the location and notice given, Mahaffey could be on site beginning installation in just a few days. Theoretically, a crew can install up to 10,000 sq ft of structure per day.

“We provide a complete turnkey service: initial site inspection, installation, on-site management, dismantling and, if necessary, relocation. And these are most certainly features our customers value,” says Beth Wilson, marketing manager for Mahaffey Fabric Structures (MFS).

A fairly basic Collinson building - of around 1200m² - can be erected in as little as two weeks, marketing manager Nichola Smith says, adding that many clients that initially required a 'temporary' facility have been so impressed with the finished result that they have retained them as more permanent fixtures. However, dismantling of the building – depending on size – need take no more than a matter of days.

“No maintenance of our structures is necessary, either. The fabric membrane can be cleaned if desired, but this would be purely for aesthetic reasons and is a very easy process.”

If a facility does sustain damage, most repairs are very quick and low-cost. Indeed, should the tensile membrane cover be punctured, a new patch can be neatly heat welded into place either by Collinson or by the customer.

At Mahaffey, Ms Wilson adds that its semi-permanent structures are no different to any other building in that they need only occasional maintenance and that the customer can even avoid this if the structure is leased. Again, cut or punctured fabric can be quickly and easily repaired in the field. When more intricate repairs are necessary, Mahaffey's design allows a single roof section to be rapidly removed or replaced.

Another manufacturer, TransformaSpace, claims its structures are also reasonably maintenance free, extremely robust and hard wearing.  

“They are also easy to repair. The roofs, for example, are installed in five-metre sections, so in the event of any damage just one section could be replaced rather than the whole roof,” managing director Steve Alldread says, adding that, because they use proven anchorage techniques, they could have a lifespan of up to 25 years.

In terms of security, Ms Wilson says that Mahaffey's temporary storage solutions are no less secure than fixed installations. They are evaluated in accordance with applicable US building codes and the International Building Code (IBC). They are fully engineered with standard wind loads of 90 mph in mind, while the company's more advanced structures can withstand snow loads of up to 30 lbs per sq ft.

At Collinson, Ms Smith reiterates that there is no reason why a temporary facility should be any less secure than a fixed installation.

“There are a number of measures that can be taken if the client requires additional security. Facilities can be built on top of concrete walls, for example, or secondary cladding such as steel can be added,” she says.

Scott Jameson, sales director at Spaciotempo, follows the sentiment.

“Our buildings can be fitted with the same kind of lockable roller shutter doors and personnel doors that you would find on any permanent building. They are bolted to the ground and it would be impossible for someone without knowledge of the erection process and the right equipment to unbolt any of the fittings. In addition, one of our buildings can be fitted with a full security system if required, either as part of a business' main alarm system or as an additional system,” he says.

Mr Alldread notes that TransformaSpace structures cannot be stolen or taken away as they are anchored very securely to the ground. Being very heavy duty industrial structures, they are comparable to a typical steel structure that might be clad with steel sheeting and they have a very heavy duty PVC fabric tensile roof system.  

“They can also be fitted with alarm systems as would be the case with a fixed installation,” he says.

All manufacturers agreed that the need for temporary space is at an all-time high for varying reasons.

Mahaffey’s Ms Wilson says that beyond the obvious short term need to expand storage capacity, growing demand for temporary structures can also be a function of ambient factors linked to temperature. Extremes of heat or cold outside can impact on worker productivity and affect a port terminal's bottom line, she says, so getting the right type of temporary structure in place to mitigate against such factors is vital.

Collinson’s Ms Smith adds that ease of usage is hugely important, too, because very often large pieces of equipment or machinery make use of temporary structures, so the quicker and easier it is for clients to go about their business the more productive they can be.

“In terms of usage, our buildings are clear span with no internal columns so movement around the space is much more fluid. They have a lightweight steel structure, which requires minimal foundations in most cases, so construction is extremely fast. This not only saves time, but can dramatically reduce material and labour costs, too,” she says, emphasising that the lightweight nature also means they are ideally suited to port-side use, affording obvious logistical benefits.

TransformaSpace, similarly, supplies and installs temporary structures that can be erected in a matter of days, since they need no foundations, which means they are ideal for customers who need to react quickly to business demands, says Mr Alldread.

“TransformaSpace structures can be installed quickly to meet seasonal and business demand. If a customer has spare ground, they would not need to rent off site storage, which means keeping control in house, whilst reducing the logistical costs of transport down too,” he says.

In terms of return on investment, Ms Wilson says that, by renting, a port terminal operator is already making a smart investment, since this provides an inexpensive means of trying a new structure without a long-term commitment.

“Leasing is generally the lowest cost means of using a structure for a designated period of time. Payments are fixed for the term of the lease and can even include a total cost that incorporates maintenance,” she says.

Mr Alldread says return on investment depends on many factors, including the application, costs involved and usage. Nevertheless, he stresses that the main advantage is that temporary structures can be up and fully operational in a matter of days.  

“This means a customer doesn't have to have any off-site contingency in place whilst waiting for a typical bricks and mortar building to be constructed. In addition, they don't have to be bought outright; we also hire them out, which allows for efficiencies in cash flow and budgets.”