Fowler and Gilbert (www.flgb.co.uk) is a trusted and respected brand when it comes to agricultural and industrial buildings. The company prefabricates structural components in their facility in Middlewich, Cheshire. These buildings can be delivered and constructed anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Common applications include industrial warehouses, shopping centers, office cubicle space, grain storage buildings, stables, riding arenas and farm sheds. Construction of such low-rise buildings with wide spans is largely based on the use of high quality steel portal frames. Put simply, a portal frame consists of rafters and columns connected with braces and brackets.
The concept is that the columns at either end take up the bending moment from the rafters. This is why buildings with wide spans can be built with no columns in the middle to block up space and unimpeded movement. Apart from the open spaces, portal frames also have other more significant benefits.
The entire building can be prefabricated in a factory and shipped over for quick and easy on-site installation. This reduces the cost, time and manpower required for the building. Since these are mostly single-storey structures, clear sheets on the roof can provide natural lighting. It makes the building environment friendly and reduces utility bills.
Customers can request made-to-order structures matching their required specifications and planned usage. Expert designers will feed in all the data into designing software to create a virtual 3D model. The advanced software helps in taking the model through a series of tests in the simulated environment.
This process is a computer-aided simulation which checks the design for flaws and compliance with building codes. Since all of this is done virtually, it reduces the chances of oversights and expensive corrective measures after the actual construction work begins. The portal frames are then made using hi-tech precision machines that ensure everything is made exactly as per the specifications.
It is also possible to buy portal frame kits off the shelf. They come in several standard sizes. These kits are considered DIY, but the installation can be done by the manufacturer if required.
The demolition of portal frame buildings is also relatively easy. It is a dismantling process, and a lot of the material can be reused after being recycled. Some waste items such as asbestos can be safely removed from the site by the contractor.
Refurbishing the structure is a good way to keep it usable for many more years. No demolition is required for re-roofing, and it does not have to be rebuilt from scratch. Over-cladding and re-cladding of the roof is a simple enough process that saves money in the long run.
The decision to add a new building or expand an existing one is not something that is done lightly. It has to be part of a growth plan that takes into consideration the construction and environmental cost, and the impact on day to day operations. This is a job for professional and experienced teams such as Fowler and Gilbert (www.flgb.co.uk).
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Industrial And Agricultural Structure Guide From Fowler And Gilbert
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