How to maintain tent warehouses to prevent deterioration?

One of the main concerns when considering a tent warehouse is the need for and method of maintenance.

Because membrane construction has a strong image of temporary construction, people tend to have a vague image of a short service life, but if checked and maintained with the right knowledge, a service life as long as that of conventional construction can be expected.

This article provides information on tent warehouse maintenance. Please take a look.

Why Tent Warehouses Deteriorate

Like all buildings, tent warehouses deteriorate. Knowing the causes of this deterioration will enable us to consider appropriate measures.

The main reason is deterioration over time.

The material will need to be maintained or replaced as it reaches the end of its life span. (See below for more information on life expectancy.) Most membrane materials are made of woven polyester or glass fibers with a PVC resin coating.

As a result, ultraviolet rays can degrade the resin, causing leaks and tears.

Other possible causes include human damage and damage caused by disasters such as typhoons, heavy snowfall, and earthquakes. The degree of deterioration of tent warehouses varies depending on the conditions of use and environment.

Membrane Life and Maintenance Signs for Tent Warehouses

What is the life expectancy of the membrane material in a tent warehouse? Generally speaking, membrane materials have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

Since the life span of slate and folded-half roofs used in conventional construction methods is said to be 15 to 20 years, it is clear that this is not a short time.
(Lifespan varies depending on the membrane material, so please feel free to contact us for more information.)

*For more information on roofing materials, please refer to the following article.
‘ What’s the best time to repair or replace the roof on a medium-sized warehouse?’

However, it is not a good idea to leave it alone for 20 years. As mentioned above, the degree of deterioration varies depending on the environment, so it is necessary to start paying attention to maintenance after 10 years.

So what are the signs that membrane materials need maintenance?

• There is a leak in the rain.
• Dough is getting crispy.
• Cracks are seen in the fabric.
• Steel frame is rusting.

When a warehouse is checked and the above conditions are observed, maintenance should be considered.

Deterioration and damage of tent warehouses and scale of maintenance

What should be done when maintenance signs can be seen on a tent warehouse? Depending on the nature and extent of deterioration, the following actions may be necessary

• Dirty: Clean with special detergent.
• Minor deterioration is observed: consider maintenance timing
• Holes or other damage or water leakage: First aid measures such as repair tape or fabric over the top.
• Partial damage and moderate deterioration is observed: partial reupholstering of fabrics.
• Reaching the end of life or showing major damage or deterioration: Replace the entire membrane.
• Bent and corroded steel column legs, etc.: Rebuild from the steel frame.

How long does it take to reupholster?

If the fabric of a tent warehouse needs to be reupholstered due to moderate or severe deterioration or damage, how long will it take?

The number of days and turnaround time for the work varies depending on the scale of the warehouse, but generally it takes about one day for preliminary measurements, about four weeks for building permit application (large-scale repair), about one to three weeks for fabrication, and about one to three days for reupholstering (electrical work and other work to be adjusted separately).

The short construction period of tent warehouses is a major advantage in minimizing the impact of business shutdowns and other disruptions.

See the following article for more information on tent warehouse construction periods.

The entire process of constructing a tent warehouse is explained in detail.

The material of the tent warehouse membrane can also reduce maintenance costs.

Dirt adhering to the surface of membrane materials also causes deterioration, so periodic cleaning operations are necessary. Realistically, however, it would be difficult to clean a building the size of a warehouse on a daily basis.

The use of photocatalytic membrane materials can also reduce maintenance costs and labor for cleaning due to their self-cleaning properties.

What is photocatalyst…
Photocatalyst is a general term for substances that exhibit catalytic activity when irradiated by light. （When water splashes on it, it does not form water droplets on the surface but flows down as it is. (Omitted) Also, oily stains do not settle on the surface at all, and the surface is cleaned by the regular flow of water from rain, etc., and has a so-called self-cleaning action. This self-cleaning action has already been applied to building exterior walls, tent sheets, residential window glass, and eye guide markers.
(Source: Wikipedia )

One of the advantages of tent warehouses is the ability to choose the material that best suits the task and needs.

Contact a professional/manufacturer if you are unsure about tent warehouse maintenance.

It is not possible to deal with deterioration or damage beyond a certain level on an individual level. When signs of deterioration are observed, the best option is to consult a professional first.

In considering a tent warehouse, choosing a supplier that offers full after-sales service, including inspections, is a shortcut to reducing maintenance costs.

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation provides aftercare services to ensure that tents can be used safely for many years to come through inspections and diagnostics by professional staff.

Reference: “Membrane Deterioration Diagnosis System TACS,” a reconstruction, replacement, and membrane material deterioration diagnosis service by Taiyo Kogyo Corporation.

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