The Client
NT Link is a Darwin-based company that specialises in the design of modular transportable commercial and residential buildings. NT Link designs, constructs and delivers buildings for portable housing, offices, educational facilities, and other commercial and community needs in a variety of sectors, including mining.
NT Link has been in business for over 25 years, and currently supplies to northern and Western Australia.
The Project
NT Link required a shelter for the manufacture of their transportable buildings. The primary motivation was to provide protection from the elements and ensure a suitable workspace year-round, and to avoid construction delays due to extreme summer heat and wet season rain.
Allshelter shelters can be made to standard sizes, or client specifications. In this case, the shelter was made to NT Link’s own specifications. NT Link provided the sub-structure (the side walls). Shelter dimensions were 19mx20m, with a top height of 10m.
The project was completed in April 2013.
Special Considerations
Allshelter Post Mounted Shelters are clear-span curved shelters constructed from a modular steel framework. The waterproof membrane roof cover is attached to 2.4m high steel posts.
NT Link required 4.5m high posts, which are higher than standard posts, to provide enough clearance for the construction of their buildings, which requires the use of cranes.
The Post Mounted Shelter met NT Link’s desire for a cost-effective way to quickly erect a large span, with minimal beams.
NT Link also needed a shelter that would cope with the sort of cyclonic conditions that are common in the Northern Territory. Allshelter shelters can be designed to withstand winds of up to 300km/h. In this case, the shelter was designed for Darwin’s Category C wind rating, which is 64.2m/s or 230km/h winds.
Post Mounted Shelter Installation
Allshelter Post Mounted Shelters are provided in kit form. NT Link installed the shelter. It took 2.5 days to erect after the columns and top beam had been placed.
Communication And Service
Allshelter strives for innovation in shelter design, excellence in the quality of materials and workmanship, and a strong customer focus with a hands-on approach, tailored to each client’s specific requirements.
Allshelter Director of Operations Russell Reddel said it was standard for Allshelter staff to keep in regular contact during the early stages of any project.
After a proposal is submitted, Allshelter produces an order confirmation that includes project specifics, a 3D construction drawing and a bill of materials, which the clients signs off on.
Clients are provided with an engineering plan, and then contacted when the shelter materials are due for dispatch. Lead-time is generally between four and six weeks, depending on current order volume.
Kurt Pfau, NT Link Construction Manager, confirmed that Allshelter staff kept him informed during the order and manufacture process.
While site visits are not generally required, Mr Reddel visited the site during a trip to Darwin, which coincided with the placement of the cover.
Benefits
Mr Pfau cited the benefits of using Allshelter as convenience and quality. He stated that the kits come in properly packed bundles, which are convenient and always precise to requirements.
Outcome And Response
Mr Pfau said that this was the third Allshelter product installed at the Darwin site, with a fourth to be constructed in the next month. He advised that NT Link has used Allshelter on various sites, and know the product well.
“We are pretty happy with the shelters we have, and will be using [Allshelter] again when the opportunity comes up,” he said.
