How to design workshop halls ?

Steel buildings are becoming increasingly popular. These are structures that can be quickly erected, as well as extended if necessary. The buildings are modular in design, allowing storage or workshop space to be easily expanded. A steel building can have a wide range of uses, provided it is properly designed, fabricated and erected.

Purpose of the facility

The design of a steel building should begin with identifying the most important needs and requirements of the client. First and foremost, the purpose of the building is important, as this has an impact on the materials it will be built from. Clearly, the use of the facility determines the cost of building the structure. In order to optimise them, you should select technical solutions that do not incur too much cost in relation to the assumed parameters. The steel building should meet the requirements for adequate levels of thermal insulation, which will vary depending on the type of building. Also, effective fire precautions must be in place. A steel building used solely for the storage of goods will have to meet different requirements than a facility intended as a permanent workplace like a workshop building.

Durability and robustness

Many technical details need to be agreed with the client already at the stage of preparing the concept for the building, otherwise the design may not meet expectations. The location of the facility and the strength to withstand the anticipated loads are very important. The dimensions of the workshop building have to be defined and a weatherproof roof structure has to be designed. Depending on the loads, you need to select a type of flooring that will last for many years. Just as important is fitting windows, doors and gates. Their number and exact size should be specified. All components must be adapted to work well with the machines and equipment working in the building. Only after all needs have been specified can a fully bespoke building design be developed.

Complete documentation

The first stage of the design work consists of compiling documents related to the plot on which the steel building is to stand. Matters like checking the local zoning plan and obtaining a zoning decision are vital. You have to find out whether the plot has access to a public road and whether it is possible to connect the workshop building to the municipal mains water, district heating, gas and electricity networks. If the project has the potential to impact on the environment, the environmental consent decision may be required. Plus the title of the client to use the property for construction purposes must be specified.

Internal and external factors

Workshop steel buildings are generally very robust. Structures of this type are resistant to mechanical damage and changing weather conditions. The workshop steel building should guarantee a long service life, which is why it is advisable to propose a design made of hot-dip galvanised steel. Such facilities are extremely resistant to corrosion and chemical attack. The cladding of workshop buildings can be made of sheet metal, but using sandwich panels would be a better solution. These have high thermal and acoustic insulation parameters. At the same time, they are very easy to install. They are composed of external cladding and an insulating core. It can be manufactured from polystyrene, mineral wool or polyurethane. This will ensure that the cladding provides good insulation and fire protection. The level of fire protection can also be increased by coating the surfaces with fire-retardant paints. It is worth adding that sandwich panels are a material with good aesthetic qualities. This is why a sandwich panel cladding system can add an excellent decorative touch to attract attention. Workshop steel buildings with an elegant façade can blend in very well with other commercial buildings in the vicinity.

Functional flooring

One of the most important elements of the building is the floor, usually made of several layers. They must be selected so that they work together. The layers should form a stable system, providing adequate thickness and strength. It is important to remember that floors are exposed to many mechanical and chemical factors. It is also important to maintain adequate floor rigidity. For concrete floors, you need to consider the grade of the concrete and check whether chemical additives will be used. These can cause corrosion, necessitating the use of stainless steels or other chemical protection solutions. Subsequent layers applied to the substrate should guarantee high performance. A floor protected with resin coatings is more resistant to damage, scratches, as well as abrasion or the effects of various oils and greases. Protecting the surface with resin coatings also makes it easier to keep the floor clean, especially if it will be heavily used.

Workplace temperatures

Due to its features, the workshop building should be insulated. This can be done with a variety of materials, which will depend on the client’s needs and budget. The most common insulation materials are insulation boards, polyurethane foams or flexible mineral wool. The latter does not break when pressed against a surface and adheres very well to uneven shapes. No less important is the reduction of heat transmission through the roof structure. A typical roof covering comes as sheet decking and mineral wool. The design may include polystyrene or PIR foam. This ensures a lightweight structure and high resistance to damage. We should add that high-quality materials also tend to be more resistant to fire.

Ventilation and air conditioning

The design of workshop steel buildings should provide for the maintenance of thermal comfort for workers. A heating system that will not cause excessive operation costs should be planned for installation. The most important parameters are air temperature, air flow and humidity. Maintaining an appropriate level of air purity also needs to be considered. Airborne contaminants will be a nuisance to workers. Workshop buildings should provide a safe working environment to support the production process. To maintain a set temperature, the design must take into account the thermal needs of the building as well as air movements. Warm air in our steel buildings is carried upwards and cold air flows into the workspace. The room may also be over-ventilated, for example, due to frequent opening doors and gates. This is why thee design of the heating system should take into account the dimensions of the building, as well as the possibility of dividing it into several heating zones. Optional equipment such as air conditioning is also worth adding.

Design optimisation

It is important to remember that every design should be subject to cost optimisation. Issues such as the class of construction or the type of corrosion protection should be adapted to the prevailing outdoor conditions. A lot depends on the features of the site intended for the workshop building. Steel building designs should foresee lowest possible construction costs while maintaining the expected performance. The optimisation can never, however, dismiss durability and strength, which must comply with the standards in force. Steel structure building is an excellent alternative to masonry buildings. If the building designs meet all the requirements of the clients and external conditions, the finished buildings will fulfil their function for many years. Workshop steel buildings provide a versatile way of quickly creating a stable workstation that can be extended and transformed if necessary.