Fiberglass Enclosures for Salt Applications
Shelter Works manufactures fiberglass chemical buildings that are ideal for chemical feed and chemical storage.
Protecting Critical Field Equipment in Corrosive Environments
Salt is one of the more corrosive substances encountered in industrial and municipal environments. Whether the exposure comes from concentrated brine, mined salt, deicing chemicals, or salt-laden coastal air, chloride-rich environments can quickly deteriorate steel buildings, increase maintenance costs, and shorten equipment life.
Why Fiberglass Performs Well in Salt Environments
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) enclosures provide a durable, long-lasting protective solution for equipment in salt-heavy environments due to their:
- Corrosion Resistance - Fiberglass does not rust when exposed to salt or salt-laden air. This inherent corrosion resistance helps protect the structure itself while reducing maintenance costs throughout its useful life.
- Moisture Resistance - Salt applications often involve high humidity, washdown procedures, or direct contact with brine solutions. Fiberglass construction resists moisture absorption and maintains its structural integrity in the wettest of operating conditions.
- Long-Term Durability - Fiberglass shelters are engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions for decades while maintaining their appearance and performance in conditions that accelerate degradation in other building materials.
- Reduced Maintenance - Fiberglass does not require repainting or corrosion repair. FRP shelters require minimal maintenance, helping utilities and facility operators reduce lifecycle costs.
- Thermal Performance - Temperature control is important for preventing freezing and maintaining an optimal operating environment. Shelter Works can custom insulate walls, roofs, and doors up to R-36, for improved thermal efficiency. Adding HVAC equipment, heaters, and ventilation systems support year-round operation.
Road Deicing Brine-Making System – Findlay, Ohio
Challenge - Road deicing operations rely on salt brine systems to produce anti-icing and deicing solutions throughout the winter. Constant exposure to concentrated salt solutions, moisture, and freezing temperatures can accelerate corrosion and increase maintenance requirements for conventional buildings.
Solution - Shelter Works supplied a 12’ × 16’ × 8’ fiberglass shelter designed to protect the brine-making equipment year-round. The shelter incorporates insulated walls and roof, corrosion-resistant 3-point door hardware, vaporproof lighting, a PVC junction box, a wall-mounted blower heater, and a large sliding window that allows operators to monitor equipment without entering the building.
Result - The fiberglass enclosure provides long-term corrosion resistance and dependable protection for critical road deicing equipment while minimizing maintenance in a salt-heavy environment.
12’ × 16’ × 8’ Shelter R-9 Walls / R-15 Roof 3-Point Door Hardware Vaporproof Interior Lighting Exterior LED with photocell Blower Heater 36" x 36" slider window 2430 lbs
Customized Secondary Containment
When hazardous chemicals are involved, we can design the enclosure to have a localized secondary containment basin to capture and contain liquids when primary containment measures fail. We can also incorporate a full shelter containment flooring system sized for ‘worst-case volume’ with a walkable fiberglass grid floor. Containment floors and basins will hold the liquid until it can be safely disposed of.
Fiberglass Shelters For Chemical Storage vs. Metal, Concrete & More
Chemical storage buildings and enclosures manufactured by Shelter Works have superior chemical resistance when compared to other structural materials. They withstand extreme temperatures and inclement weather while resisting damage from chemicals, impact, water, UV rays, corrosive conditions, and more with minimal maintenance requirements. Best of all, they typically provide the lowest total lifetime cost of ownership of any type of shelter and are backed by a 25-year warranty.
