Tailor-made to fit
April 1st 2007

Tailor-made to fit Designing a tailor made building to fit a particular site needn't involve months of planning, a team of architects or excessive cost according to CopriSystems

When working with bricks and mortar, catering for particular on-site nuances such as sloping areas, drainage, car parking or restricted access combined with limited space can hamper a project. A canopy building on the other hand with its flexible modular design offers many advantages over more traditional amenities whatever your requirements – additional storage, a temporary workshop, or seasonal loading cover – not least of which being the cost.

Speed of delivery and installation are major considerations. A canopy building can be erected in a matter of days rather than months. Equally quick to dismantle, a canopy can be relocated on site with minimum disruption or removed when no longer required. Furthermore, it is not usually hampered by any of the planning requirements associated with other buildings. The result is an economical and versatile structure providing environmental protection on site when and where required.

Highly versatile Versatility was exactly what the The Watchtower Society, publisher of The Watchtower and Awake, in London needed when it contacted CopriSystems. The requirement was for additional protected undercover space for just three months while construction work was underway.

The magazine publisher's usual loading area was unusable, so a storage area for pre-printed materials was needed, along with a covered temporary loading bay.

CopriSystems installed a rear wall mounted canopy to fit around the warehouse doors. The standard height canopy measuring 9m and 9m long, allows two artic lorries to load side by side.

Once construction work on the loading area was completed, the canopy was dismantled and relocated. The building is now being used as a temporary carpentry shop while other building work takes place.

"The canopy's versatility has been extremely beneficial to us. We can use the canopy as required and relocate it on site. It has helped enormously with the progress of our construction work," said Jack Dowson, production overseer.

Relocating on site is an ideal way to utilise a canopy building to the full. Swift installation also means that unforeseen problems such as urgent storage requirements can be dealt with swiftly.

When manufacturer of pumps for marine, industrial and beverage applications, ITT Industries Jabsco, had to double business over night and additional storage had to be found quickly, CopriSystems was able to install a tailormade canopy building within weeks.

"The canopy was quick to install, economical and we can relocate on site if we need to," said Alan Snook, manufacturing manager.

Ease of installation and, in turn, removal also makes the canopy building an ideal rental building.

CopriSystems' rental package includes delivery, installation and construction, inclusive of any ground works if required, with the same service for the removal of the building at the end of the contract. By renting, companies can also avoid tying up precious capital.

Homerton University Hospital rented a CopriSystems canopy for six months while a major renovation project was underway.

The hospital needed additional temporary accommodation for services while the building works were taking place.

With minimal disruption, CopriSystems installed two structures on site catering for both storage and loading bay canopy requirements, providing effective environmental protection for vehicle unloading. Despite the short period, the design of the structure was tailor-made to suit the needs of the hospital.

Although called 'temporary' structures, canopy buildings have extended longevity, typically 15 years for the cover and 25 years for the steel. As with most things, good maintenance will yield the best results.

Constructed from a galvanised steel frame with a pvc coated polyester fabric cover, which is self extinguishing and does not flame or flare in a fire, all buildings are designed and engineered to conform to BS6399 (Building Regulations - wind and snow loadings) wherever you are in the country.

Modular design The design is modular, with widths ranging from 4.5m to 24m, length is unlimited.

Freestanding or mounted against another building, the canopy is mounted on tracks which are bolted to concrete. This can be an existing concrete slab or concrete strip beams laid in soil or tarmac. Steel frames are linked by pantographs giving the additional benefit of making the building retractable, or capable of being tensioned.

The building can be folded away when not in use or when space is limited.

Finding additional storage space or undercover protection for a short term project can be problematic and expensive.

With rentals available from just three months up to five years, relocatable buildings can provide the ideal solution.

Longer term rentals may be required while waiting for a new factory to be built or for individual projects.

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