Prefab Shelters
Prefab shelters are modular buildings built to provide shelter of some sort. The word “prefab” in their name stands for “prefabricated,” which means that they were built in part or in whole and assembled in part or in whole in a factory separate from the site where they reside.
Quick links to Prefab Shelters Information
Applications of Prefab Shelters
Prefab shelters are used in many industries, including:
- Automotive
- Construction
- Electronics
- Emergency Services
- Medical Services
- Military and Defense
- Refrigeration
- Storage
- Telecommunications
Among the many applications for which prefab shelters are commissioned, some of the more common ones include: ADA compliant restrooms, bus stop shelters, various types of booths, machine enclosures, emergency triage and medical treatment centers, plant houses, pump houses, remote electronic shelters, security enclosures, storm shelters, smoking shelters, and storage sheds.
One of the most recent developments in the prefab shelter world is the creation of solar powered prefab shelters, which were developed to house the increasing world population of refugees and are in the early stages of implementation. The goal of energy efficient solar refuge shelters is to provide refugees, particularly women and children, with higher levels of safety, security, and sanitation in places known for bad lighting, poor security, and disease. They are further being set up to provide sustainable refuge and shelter individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Using solar power to light and power them, these prefab shelters are designed to last in good condition for years, as opposed to months, and be much more affordable for refugees, low income individuals, and relief organizations alike to maintain.
Prefab Shelter Design and Customization
Prefab shelters provide reliable basic shelter at an affordable price. Typically, they are composed simply, consisting of a lightweight aluminum or steel frame, panels, and a roof. Other materials from which the frame may be constructed include precast concrete and bulletproof steel. Panels, which help the shelter stand up to weather elements, such as wind, rain, extreme temperatures, and humidity, are usually made from materials like glass, polyvinyl, or fiberglass reinforced plastic. Prefab shelters may additionally be outfitted with features like windows or shelves, which can be custom fit to any given application. Note that custom fitting does slow down turnaround times and increase costs. They are likewise delivered with all the components necessary for their successful functioning, such as electrical wiring, heating and cooling, walls, plumbing, interior finishes, and floor trusses.
Benefits of Using Prefab Shelters
Due to their modularity, prefab shelters may be used as not only permanent spaces, but also as relocatable buildings or temporary/portable spaces. They can also be used indoors or outdoors and can function as standalone buildings or as part of an existing building system. Because they are delivered to a work site fully assembled, partially assembled, or in assemblable pieces, it is extremely easy to put together and install prefab shelters and integrate them into a space if needed. In fact, not only are they easy to install, but they can also be installed very quickly; prefab installation can be completed up to 80% faster than conventional construction.
No matter the exact application for which they are chosen, prefab shelters offer their users highly advantageous levels of flexibility and control over the construction of their site. They are easy to install, expand, and relocate. At the same time, because they are factory assembled, they guarantee customers the peace of mind that comes with factory controlled quality. Because they are built according to a strict factory timetable, prefab shelters are built much more quickly than other buildings and incur fewer surprise extra costs. Thus, they save customers a significant amount of time and money, two things that can be critical to some applications, such as emergency services, disaster relief, or social services.
Choosing the Right Prefab Shelter Manufacturer
To learn more about how a prefab shelter might benefit your application or get specifics regarding timelines and costs, discuss your specifications with a trusted prefabricated building manufacturer today. Such a manufacturer will make sure that your building is built from materials with sufficient strength for your application, that your building has all the components (like electricity or air conditioning) that it needs, and that it adheres to any and all local, national, and industry building codes to which it is beholden. Not sure where to start? No worries! Begin by browsing the list of prefab manufacturers near the top of this page. All manufacturers with whom IQS partners are reputable, skilled, and experienced.