Temporary shelters can be used to protect welding operations from the elements.

Weather delays and worker productivity can impact a welding business’ bottom line.

Temporary, portable industrial structures and tents can be used to address issues of weather delays, and can increase productivity.

Worker productivity is boosted when the work can be completed in condi t ions made comfortable by heating or air conditioning, in shaded environments, and without the threat of inclement weather.

In addition, on-time completion of a project is more likely when it is protected from harsh weather by a temporary structure. Such structures also provide a space in which shielding gases can be sheltered from high winds that can drive them away from the welding pool.

Companies such as Mahaffey (www.fabricstructures.com) provide temporary and permanent structures for pipe welding, refineries, installing footings and plumbing in construction, and covering masonry work.

This is especially important during the winter to maintain proper working conditions, regardless of the weather outside.

Some forward-thinking companies budget temporary structures into their projects before bad weather becomes a troublesome issue.

For example, Mahaffey set up a 100 ft. by 132 ft. structure at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC’s plant during its construction in Lincoln, Alabama.

That structure covered the site of the facility’s paint pit. After the pit was excavated to a depth of 30 ft., forms and intricate piping were installed and, finally, concrete was poured and cured.

Upon completion of the project three months later, the temporary structure was disassembled and lifted away by crane.

Industrial structures also can be used to cover large manufacturing tanks.

Tank covers facilitate sand blasting, welding and recoating, especially for applications in which a controlled curing environment is necessary.

Some applications require a roof only to allow unimpeded airflow on the site. Others must be fully enclosed to control the interior temperature and humidity.

Mahaffey offers heating/ventilating and air conditioning works with qualified subcontractors for specialized needs.

In addition to covering actual industrial sites, such temporary structures can serve as warehouses to secure supplies from theft on big jobsites, as shelter for sensitive equipment that arrives early, and as protection from weather-sensitive components such as insulation material.