A data center located in the Northeast had an expansion project worth millions of dollars and it was getting off to a rocky start. The lunch tent structure installed by a local vendor was proving unreliable. The structure proved too flimsy for the seasonal rains and winds and proved to be a sub-par product for the intended purpose.
The vendor had returned to the site numerous times to drop the tent when unstable weather conditions occurred, which meant the temporary structure was costing the construction company a lot of time and disappointment for the six-hundred-person construction crew at lunchtime.
The nationally recognized construction company hired to manage the expansion project had over one hundred years of expertise in the industry, and were not willing to risk compromising their reputation with unplanned downtime because of a temporary fabric structure. They needed a reliable long-term solution, and fast!
Fortunately, a Sunbelt Rentals project manager had recently called on the same construction company’s crew working at another job site located in the Southeast, which had a similar situation with a lunch tent. Sunbelt Rentals Fabric Structures successfully installed a new lunch and break tent on the Southeast job site which had the site manager bragging to the Northeast crew about the positive experience.
We were ultimately hired because of our recent successful installation and the promising potential as a reliable, future partner.
The Challenge
No doubt, time was the greatest challenge at the start of the project. Construction crews have precise timelines that must be followed and a sturdy, fully-functioning lunch tent, equipped with amenities, needed to be installed immediately.
The client’s needs included a structure that:
- Was at least 8000 sq. feet
- Incorporated personnel doors
- Included lighting and HVAC
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Could withstand harsh conditions throughout multiple seasons
The Solution
The Sunbelt Rentals team having installed hundreds of temporary lunch tent structures across the country, including the Northeast, were familiar with the harsh weather conditions. They knew the exact type of structure that would fit the crew’s needs – the Mahaffey Tension Series, MTS™ engineered structure.
Sunbelt Rentals' solution included the following features.
- 8,200 Sq. Ft – MTS™ engineered structure
- 2-personnel doors
- HVAC system
- LED Lighting Package
- Expert project managers, designers, and an expert installation team
The Result
Though the initial challenge was rapid deployment, when the crew arrived to begin the installation, they discovered the locations of the underground power and water lines may have been miscommunicated during initial conversations. As a precaution, the Sunbelt Rentals project manager double-checked with the site and discovered the original plan would have resulted in blocked access to critical amenities. Once discovered, the Sunbelt Rentals team quickly recalculated the position and placement of the structure and installation was soon underway.
In spite of the snag, the team was confident in the four-day proposed timeline. However, Mother Nature had other plans. Hurricane Florence, the first Atlantic hurricane of the season, forced evacuations of towns in her path, which included the Sunbelt Rentals team who were forced to evacuate and discontinue installation until conditions were stable and it was safe to return.
A decision was made to install just the frame to make the rest of the installation quicker when the team returned on site. The frame alone without the durable fabric covering in place could easily withstand the anticipated wind loads.
A few weeks later, Sunbelt Rentals' team returned to the job site. With the frame in place, the rest of the installation went smoothly, and the installation was complete in just four days.
The well-deserving construction crew is currently enjoying a sturdy, well-appointed lunch tent for breaks, meals and safety meetings.
The Takeaways
The Northeast site crew was initially having to deal with a temporary fabric structure that literally folded like a tent every time there was inclement weather. No large construction company can afford that kind of distraction. Keeping the team focused on the work at hand is key to maintaining efficiency, so selecting a trusted vendor with years of experience as a reliable temporary structure provider is essential.
Sunbelt Rentals has over 90 years of experience in installing temporary engineered structures to serve basic manpower needs such as lunch and break tents at onsite locations, and a team of experienced project managers to face any challenge that may arise.
The next time you need an experienced, reliable partner, call one of our expert project managers at Sunbelt Rentals. We’ve got you covered.
