General Shelter Construction

Regardless of size or configuration, all Openchannelflow fiberglass equipment shelters share certain common characteristics 

and methods of construction. The exterior surfaces of the shelter and door are intended to have a gloss (or near gloss) finish to minimize the need for maintenance. These surfaces are capable of withstanding a wide variety of chemicals, solvents, and detergents under normal atmospheric conditions.

Openchannelflow offers a wide array of standard electrical, HVAC, and lighting equipment. When ordered as such, much of this equipment is factory mounted before the shelter ships. It is common, however, for contractors or end-users to field mount new equipment or modify the factory-installed equipment to better suit evolving site needs.

Openchannelflow shelters are typically constructed of vinyl ester or polyester resins with glass reinforcements. Extreme application shelters may be constructed from specialty resins as necessary. Reinforcements may take the form of strands (chopped or continuous), weaves, mattes, and veils as necessary.

Inspection

Each time a shelter is entered there are a series of standard items that should be inspected and corrected as necessary to minimize any potential safety issues and extend the operational life of the structure.

Doors:

• Is the operation of the door(s) smooth?
• Do the door(s) seal when closed?
• Is the operation of the lock easy?
• Does the hydraulic closer smoothly close the door and check excessive opening?
• Does the panic hardware bind or catch?
• Is the door window clear and provide adequate visibility into the shelter?

Electrical:

• Are the switches and outlets in good operating order?
• Are any circuit breakers in the load center tripped?
• Is the conduit in good condition? 

HVAC:

• Does the fan operate when triggered by the switch or thermostat?
• Do the heater and its thermostat work correctly?
   

General Maintenance

The exterior shelter surfaces may be washed down with most normal industrial detergents and water. If there is a doubt as to the chemical compatibility of the detergent, consult the detergent manufacturer before proceeding. Exterior cleaning should be done periodically as needed.

Take care not to damage the exterior section trim during cleaning or maintenance of the shelter’s exterior.

While factory sealed, the seams of modular shelters should be inspected after installation for watertightness. This inspection should also take place annually.  Seal as necessary.