The Environmental Benefits of Tension Fabric Buildings

Due to the rising cost of labor and materials, jobsite managers are looking for smarter, more cost-effective solutions to their building and storage needs. Tension fabric buildings are great solutions to these problems, and they can help construction teams overcome other hurdles.

Constructing brick-and-mortar buildings has a significant impact on our planet. However, tension fabric buildings have a plethora of environmental benefits. These alternatives to traditional buildings can help us reduce waste and pollution that damages the environment.

Fabric Buildings Use Fewer Materials

Fabric buildings have two main components: a tension fabric membrane and metal framework. These structures require much less material compared to the materials needed to construct traditional buildings, such as clay, lime, concrete, and wood. Job sites can have the necessary structures for equipment storage without putting stress on the surrounding environment. The less we pull from the environment, the fewer stressors we put on it.

Construction Is Quick and Requires Little Machinery

Heavy machinery requires massive amounts of fuel, and traditional brick-and-mortar buildings require a lot of heavy machinery to construct. Emissions from engine combustion pollute the air, but we can reduce pollution with fabric structures. Construction workers can erect a tensioned fabric building in as little as a few hours and won’t have to use nearly as much machinery. The less machinery we use, the less fuel is needed to power these machines, which reduces the emissions polluting the air.

Natural Light Reduces Energy Usage

Combustion is necessary to produce electricity for lights at a job site. Natural gas burns in combustion turbines to produce mechanical power. Then, generators convert that energy into electricity. The higher the demand for electricity, the more fuel is necessary to complete the combustion process, which pollutes the air.

At Big Top Manufacturing, we use PVC vinyl fabric that allows natural light to shine through the roofing and illuminate the area while blocking UV rays. This significantly reduces the amount of electricity necessary to light the structure, cutting energy usage.

Now that you know more about the environmental benefits of fabric structures, nothing’s stopping you from saving money and protecting the earth. If you’re ready to take your job site to the next level, contact Big Top Manufacturing today. As one of the United States’ top tension fabric structure companies, we’re dedicated to providing you with innovation and simple structure solutions.

Fabric Buildings: The Ultimate Solution for Extreme Climates

Innovative Engineering for Extreme Weather Conditions

In recent years, Big Top fabric buildings have emerged as a versatile solution for a wide range of applications in extreme climates. Our structures are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions. They combine cutting-edge materials with innovative design principles. This offers unparalleled durability and functionality.

Innovative Design Principles: Maximizing Performance and Durability

The structural design of Big Top fabric buildings incorporates several key principles to ensure maximum performance in extreme climates:

Tensioned membrane architecture is a design approach. It involves stretching fabric membrane over a supporting framework. This creates a structure that is both lightweight and strong. Tensioned membrane buildings can withstand heavy snow loads, high winds, and even seismic activity.
Optimal insulation: Insulated fabric buildings are designed with multiple layers of insulation, which create an effective thermal barrier. This design helps maintain a consistent interior temperature, even in extreme climates. This leads to energy efficiency and cost savings for occupants.
Natural ventilation: Big Top’s fabric buildings can be engineered to promote natural air circulation, reducing the need for mechanical ventilation systems. This design principle not only improves indoor air quality but also lowers energy consumption and operating costs.
Versatility and customization: Fabric buildings can be customized to suit a wide range of applications and industries. This adaptability makes them ideal for temporary or permanent installations in extreme climates.

Applications of Advanced Fabric Buildings in Extreme Climates

Mining Operations

Big Top fabric buildings are an ideal solution for mining operations in remote locations with harsh weather conditions. They can be used as equipment storage, workshops, and even accommodation facilities. Their durability, quick installation, and low maintenance make them a cost-effective choice for the mining industry.

Aviation and Aerospace

Aircraft hangars and maintenance facilities in extreme climates can benefit from the strength, durability, and energy efficiency of advanced fabric buildings. These structures provide ample space for aircraft storage and maintenance while protecting valuable assets from the elements.

Military and Emergency Response

In remote and challenging environments, advanced fabric buildings offer a rapid deployment solution for military and emergency response operations. They can be used as temporary shelters, command centers, and medical facilities, providing essential infrastructure in the most demanding conditions.

Agriculture and Livestock

For agricultural and livestock operations in extreme climates, advanced fabric buildings offer a protective environment for crops, animals, and equipment. These structures provide optimal insulation and ventilation, ensuring the health and well-being of animals and the productivity of crops. Additionally, their versatile design allows for easy expansion or reconfiguration as needs change.

Sports and Recreation Facilities

Big Top fabric buildings are increasingly popular for sports and recreation facilities in extreme climates. They provide an ideal environment for year-round activities, protecting athletes and spectators from harsh weather conditions. The natural lighting and ventilation offered by these structures create a comfortable and healthy indoor atmosphere.

Oil and Gas Industry

Fabric buildings are particularly well-suited to the demands of the oil and gas industry in extreme climates. Structures can be used for a variety of purposes, such as equipment storage, workshops, and temporary housing for workers. They offer advantages such as durability, rapid installation, and low maintenance costs.

Key Advantages of Big Top Fabric Buildings in Extreme Climates

Rapid deployment: Fabric buildings can be quickly assembled, making them ideal for emergency response or time-sensitive projects in extreme climates. Our modular design allows for easy transportation and installation, even in remote locations.
Energy efficiency is improved by our fabric buildings. Insulation and natural ventilation help maintain a comfortable interior temperature. This reduces energy consumption. This results in significant cost savings and a reduced environmental impact.
Durability and low maintenance: Big Top fabric buildings are designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions and require minimal maintenance. Our high-quality materials resist UV degradation, corrosion, and damage from extreme temperatures, ensuring a long-lasting and reliable structure.
Customizability and adaptability: Our Fabric buildings can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of various applications and industries.
Cost-effective: Compared to traditional building materials, Big Top fabric buildings offer a more affordable option for structures in extreme climates. Our rapid installation, low maintenance, and energy efficiency contribute to a lower overall cost of ownership.

Conclusion

Big Top Manufacturing’s fabric buildings offer a versatile and durable solution for a wide range of applications in extreme climates. By combining innovative materials and design principles, our structures provide unmatched performance and adaptability. Big Top Fabric Buildings offer strength, resilience, and cost efficiency even in the most demanding environments. Give our team of experts a ring today to learn more about how a Big Top can benefit you.

Fabric Shelters: Revolutionizing the Economy

At a time when the economy is constantly evolving, businesses are always searching for ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. One way that they have found to do this is through the use of fabric shelters. Fabric shelters are quickly gaining popularity in many industries, and for good reason. In this article, we will explore how fabric shelters are benefiting the economy, and why they are becoming a popular choice for businesses across the globe.

What are Fabric Shelters?

Fabric shelters, also known as tension fabric structures, are essentially large structures made out of fabric. They are supported by a steel frame and can be easily erected and taken down. The fabric used by Big Top to create these shelters is made from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and resist UV rays.

Our shelters come in a variety of sizes and can be customized to meet the needs of any business. They are commonly used in agriculture, aviation, construction, and many other industries. The versatility and affordability of these structures make them an attractive option for businesses looking to save money and increase productivity.

Benefits of Fabric Shelters

Cost Savings

One of the biggest benefits of fabric shelters is the cost savings they offer. Traditional buildings can be very expensive to build and maintain. Fabric shelters, on the other hand, are much more affordable and can be erected in a fraction of the time it takes to construct a traditional building. This means that businesses can save money on construction costs, as well as on ongoing maintenance and repair expenses.

Increased Efficiency

Fabric shelters can be quickly erected and taken down, which makes them ideal for businesses that require temporary or portable structures. They can be easily transported to different job sites and set up in a matter of hours. This means that businesses can quickly respond to changing market conditions and take advantage of new opportunities.

Weather Resistance

Fabric shelters are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. The high-quality materials used to create these structures are UV resistant and can withstand heavy rain, snow, and wind. This means that businesses can use these structures in any weather condition, which increases productivity and reduces downtime.

Customizable

Fabric shelters can be customized to meet the unique needs of any business. They come in a variety of sizes and can be tailored to meet specific requirements. This means that businesses can create structures that are perfectly suited to their needs, without having to compromise on functionality or space.

Fabric Shelters and the Economy

The benefits of fabric shelters are not limited to individual businesses. They also have a positive impact on the economy as a whole. Fabric shelters are a cost-effective alternative to traditional buildings, which means that businesses can save money on construction costs and redirect those savings to other areas of their business. This can lead to increased hiring, expansion, and overall economic growth.

In addition to the cost savings, fabric shelters also provide a boost to the local economy. Many businesses that use fabric shelters source their materials locally, which creates jobs and supports the local economy. Furthermore, the portability of these structures means that businesses can quickly move to areas that are experiencing economic growth, which can lead to increased investment and job creation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fabric shelters are quickly becoming a popular choice for businesses across the globe. Big Top fabric buildings offer a cost-effective and customizable solution to traditional building construction, and can be quickly erected and taken down, which makes them ideal for temporary or portable structures. The benefits our shelters are not limited to individual businesses; they also have a positive impact on the economy as a whole. By using fabric shelters, businesses can save money, increase efficiency, and contribute to overall economic growth.

Sturdy and Secure: The Benefits of Fabric Buildings in Ice and Snow

When it comes to extreme weather conditions, the need for durable and reliable structures is especially important. Fabric buildings provide a sturdy and secure option for those looking to build in ice and snow. With countless benefits, fabric buildings are a great choice for anyone seeking a reliable, long-lasting solution for their needs. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of fabric buildings in ice and snow and explain why they are the best option for your building needs.

All-weather protection

Fabric buildings offer a strong and reliable solution for areas prone to ice and snow. Unlike other forms of construction, fabric buildings can stand up to extreme weather conditions, including heavy snow and freezing temperatures. They are designed to be long-lasting and durable, making them the perfect choice for places like ski resorts, storage, winter recreational areas, and other outdoor locations that experience cold weather.

Fabric buildings have several advantages when it comes to extreme weather.

For starters, their lightweight design makes them easy to install and take down as needed. This means that they can be quickly set up and taken down during periods of heavy snowfall or when temperatures drop below freezing. Additionally, fabric buildings are designed to remain firmly in place during storms. Their high-strength material ensures that they will remain intact even when faced with high winds and icy conditions.

Not only are fabric buildings sturdy and secure, but they also offer exceptional insulation. Their highly insulated walls keep the building warm and dry in any season, allowing people to continue enjoying the outdoors even when temperatures dip. Plus, because the fabric blocks out sunlight, these buildings help reduce energy costs in winter months by keeping interior temperatures constant.
When it comes to protecting your space from the elements, fabric buildings are a great choice. With their durable construction, excellent insulation, and fast installation, they provide all-weather protection that you can count on.

Easy to set up

When winter weather arrives, many people have to adjust their outdoor building plans due to the harsh elements. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the structure you need. Fabric buildings are a great option for those looking for a strong and secure structure that can withstand the cold and snow.
Fabric buildings are easy to install and set up, even in cold and snow. They’re designed to be flexible and durable, so they can handle heavy snowfalls without suffering any structural damage. This makes them an ideal option for places that experience extreme winter weather. Plus, they don’t require any special tools or techniques to install. All you need is a level surface; our team will do the rest.

Cost-effective

When looking for a building that can stand up to harsh winter weather, fabric buildings are an ideal choice. Not only are they cost-effective compared to traditional metal and wood structures, but they are also designed to provide superior protection against snow, ice, and cold temperatures. Fabric buildings provide many benefits in the face of extreme winter conditions, making them an excellent choice for those who want reliable and affordable structures.

One of the most impressive features of fabric buildings is their cost-effectiveness. While traditional structures made of metal or wood can be expensive to build and maintain, fabric buildings offer a more affordable option. They can also be assembled quickly, helping to save both time and money. Additionally, fabric buildings have a long-life expectancy, meaning you won’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon. They can be used in both permanent and temporary situations, allowing you to easily relocate them if needed. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder why fabric buildings are a popular choice for those who need reliable protection in the winter months.

Over the past two decades, tensile fabric building structures have become increasingly popular among architects, designers, and businesses alike due to their beauty, flexibility, strength, and cost-effectiveness. More than that, though, there are many reasons why tension fabric buildings are the wave of the future in terms of sustainable construction methods and green design strategies that will make a positive impact on the planet and people’s lives for years to come. Here are just a few examples…

Green construction trends fabric buildings

In recent years, green construction has become a major focus for eco-conscious building owners. As a result, alternative forms of construction that can minimize environmental impact have gained popularity in both private and commercial settings. One such trend is architectural fabric structures, which combine green components with innovative design to create structures that maintain energy efficiency while reducing waste and environmental damage during manufacturing and installation. Because they are made from lightweight, biodegradable materials, textile buildings can be transported to locations that lack infrastructure without causing excessive stress on roadways or nearby ecosystems. They also eliminate some of the waste created by traditional construction materials because metal poles or beams are not necessary in fabrication.

Cost savings from prefabrication

Since fabric buildings can be constructed quickly with minimal labor, they can save you a considerable amount of money on labor costs. Plus, since fabric buildings utilize both prefabricated and on-site components, they tend to have quicker turnaround times and shorter project schedules than other building methods. This not only saves you money—it also helps ensure that your projects stay on schedule and on budget!

The environmental benefits of fabric buildings

Building a fabric structure is better for Mother Earth. Because fabric buildings have no foundation, you can place them anywhere: on a flat surface, on ground that’s too rocky to support traditional structures, or even underwater! It doesn’t matter if it rains or snows—even if your surroundings change over time (like if a lake expands). There’s no risk of land erosion, damage from flooding or cracking. In fact, studies show that these types of big top structures actually improve land around them by creating an environment that encourages plant growth. As long as you make sure your structure is attached to a solid beam and secure enough so winds won’t destroy it during storms, it should be able to last for a very long time! In fact some fabric structurers erected in WWII still stand today.

Low labor costs

Similar to stick-built construction, tension fabric buildings are easy to assemble. They do not require expensive scaffolding or hoisting services that many steel and concrete structures rely on. Everything is can be done with simple hand tools. Due to their simplicity, fabric membrane structures can be erected much more quickly than other types of building methods. While it takes an experienced crew around a week to erect a steel structure and around six weeks for something made from concrete, tension fabric buildings can take less than a week (size and assembly team depending). Most parts are pre-assembled and manufactured in our warehouse, maximizing productivity and speeding up assembly time, improving cost-effectiveness even further while reducing risk factors associated with weather delays.

Flexibility to build on tough sites

Because you can install a tension fabric building without a crane (if you’d like), it’s ideal for spaces that wouldn’t otherwise be suitable for construction. These structures can be installed on difficult and awkwardly shaped terrain—and they can even be built over existing buildings. There’s no need to tear anything down or waste time doing construction work in tight areas; instead, you get to create something new and flexible.

Innovation in design and technology with fabric buildings

Fabric buildings continue to expand their place in commercial and industrial applications, particularly as an alternative to traditional architectural designs. Thanks to advanced technology and lighter-weight, innovative materials that don’t sacrifice quality or strength, designers can build bigger and better structures faster than ever before. This means you’ll always be at least one step ahead when it comes to design preferences, budgeting and efficiency with a Big Top Manufacturing fabric building over our traditional counterparts.

Humidity Challenges the Recycling Process

With rows of biosolid waste covering acres and acres of paved land, open air composting, a common process, is a bit more challenging in the rainy summer months of southwest Florida. The aerobic process halts when the material gets wet thus causing an unforeseen delay. Synagro needed a solution for their Charlotte County Bio-Recycling Center.

Big Top Solution Works for Synagro

Synagro’s Charlotte County Bio-Recycling Center solution was to cover the process with two massive 162’ x 280’ Big Top structures towering at 64’ tall. Now the rows of compost can be turned five times a day and reach the required 131 degree temperature to turn the material into a sellable all-purpose Class AA composting product within a short 15 days. The solid waste typically mixed with wood waste and now diverted from the landfill and 100% recyclable. This all-weather solution allows Charlotte County to cost effectively produce 100,000 cubic yards of compost regardless of the season.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: When time is of the essence, Big Top Structures quickly provide safe, comfortable environments to shelter valuable equipment, vital production processes and personnel.

BIG TOP HELPS GLOBAL DESIGN FIRM PROTECT MAJOR WATER TREATMENT OPERATION

An ENR Top 500 Design Firm, our client is the leading global natural and built asset design and consultancy firm providing design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services to their clients. The firm was selected to design and build a major water processing facility for biological nutrient removal, filtration, UV disinfection and bio-solids treatment to ensure the required effluent quality is maintained for an area with a substantial population. They needed a dependable, long-term solution to protect their client’s valuable equipment and water reclamation and purification processes from the elements, and they needed it quickly.

A PURELY BRILLIANT SOLUTION FROM BIG TOP

The firm made the right move by turning to Big Top. Big Top is accustomed to working with aggressive deadlines. We designed our custom manufacturing process to provide the highest quality structures to meet virtually any deadline. We were able to custom design a spacious, eco-friendly fabric structure that would cater to their specific necessities. It was large enough to contain their equipment, and strong enough to withstand the bitter cold and snow of winters in the Northeast. And if their needs change, the structure can be dismantled and put into storage, or can be relocated as a whole unit via a wheeled suspension system or crane.

With a wide range of custom heating, cooling and ventilation systems to keep the interior of the fabric shelter optimally controlled, their equipment could be protected and operate with maximum efficiency, and personnel now had a comfortable, spacious clear span working environment.

Big Top fabric structures have been tested and proven successful at withstanding even the harshest weather conditions. Wind gusts exceeding 100 miles per hour, heavy rains, as well as dense snow are not a problem.

Even with an aggressive time frame, Big Top enabled the firm to provide their client with an ideal environment for their biological nutrient removal, UV disinfection and bio-solids treatment; ensuring that the high level of quality is maintained at all times.

ECUA Interim Material Recycling Facility

Big Top Helps the ECUA & Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties Progress Toward a Greener Future

Big Top is committed to helping businesses maintain a healthy bottom line. We do so by providing cost-effective buildings that are customized to the needs of our customers. In one case, the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) found itself in need of a new facility so that it could continue its recycling program.

The ECUA called on Big Top to make its new facility. We made a 53,460-square-foot building that accommodates the complex floor plan required by the recycling equipment. Big Top manufactured and shipped the structure within three weeks and had it installed in less than 60 days. We also used translucent fabric to cover the building, so it does not rely on electricity and instead stays well-lit with sunlight throughout the day.

Prior to having its own recycling facility, the ECUA relied on third-party, privately owned processing centers to sort recycling. The first center was abruptly closed, which prompted the ECUA to move to a recycling facility in Loxley, Alabama. Soon thereafter, the center in Loxley tacked on a $12.50 per-ton fee, which made the option cost prohibitive. Now that the ECUA has a Big Top fabric structure, it saves $45.06 per ton of material. And, of course, its recycling program is up and running once again.

Since 1979, Big Top has been making fabric structures for organizations in various industrial and commercial sectors. For more information about our fabric buildings, contact us today.