Durable Fiberglass Enclosure for Natural Gas Regulator Station Upgrade Case Study
Natural gas utilities rely heavily on pressure-regulating equipment to maintain safe and consistent gas distribution within their service network. These regulator stations are essential for controlling the pressure of natural gas as it flows through pipelines into residential, commercial, and industrial systems. Exposure to environmental hazards, such as moisture, cold temperatures, and wildlife, can significantly reduce the lifespan of the equipment. Proper protection of these stations is a maintenance priority to ensure a continuous gas supply with no stoppage in service.
Relcon Inc., a Shelter Works manufacturer’s representative, provides engineered solutions for facility integrity and efficiency. They specialize in temperature control, leak detection, and utility systems. Relcon recently partnered with Shelter Works to produce a Big Mouth cabinet for one of their customers, an East Coast natural gas supplier. The new cabinet replaces an ageing enclosure that houses a natural gas regulator station.
The original enclosure was heavy, making access to equipment cumbersome. It also showed signs of material degradation, indicating the end of its useful life. Instead of replacing the enclosure with another of the same type, the client chose a Shelter Works fiberglass Big Mouth enclosure that seamlessly integrated with the existing site, delivering improved functionality and durability.
Fiberglass Enclosure Built For Life
Shelter Works supplied a lightweight 6'-3" L x 4'-3" W x 4'H fiberglass Big Mouth cabinet designed for easy field installation. The end-user was able to easily drop the enclosure into place over the existing infrastructure and bolt it in place through the interior base flange, resulting in no site downtime.
The Big Mouth comes standard with a continuous piano hinge that holds the top and bottom pieces together. 150-lb-rated gas springs make opening easy and hold the top open, allowing a single operator to access and service the equipment inside. The enclosure's fiberglass construction simplified installation and future maintenance while also providing exceptional environmental protection.
In the natural gas industry, where uptime and reliability are critical, The Shelter Works fiberglass Big Mouth cabinet provides a durable and long-lasting solution for protecting essential field equipment. Resistant to corrosion, UV degradation, and moisture intrusion, the cabinet shields the regulator station from exposure that could lead to premature failure or safety hazards.
Proven Partnership Delivers Customer Success
When asked about his experience working with Shelter Works, Tim Pawloski, Sales Representative at Relcon, stated "Shelter Works is a valuable partner in serving our utility and transmission customers. Ease of installation, ability to deliver both off-the-shelf and custom fiberglass enclosures, and the YouTube videos available from Shelter Works helps me to provide the right solutions to our customers.”
This project is a clear example of how Shelter Works and Relcon Inc. collaborate to deliver purpose-built solutions for the natural gas sector. By replacing the outdated housing with a modern fiberglass enclosure, the client not only extended the life of their pressure regulation equipment but also enhanced safety, accessibility, and long-term serviceability at the site.