When it comes to blast-resistant buildings, one size does not fit all. Different facilities have unique needs and requirements for safety, functionality, and aesthetics. At RedGuard, we understand this. That’s why we offer a wide range of features, add-ons, and customizations for our buildings. In this guide, we will explore the various options available, allowing you to design a building that meets your facility’s specific needs.
Before diving into the add-ons and customizations, it's essential to understand the core features that our SafetySuite buildings naturally offer. These features provide a solid foundation of protection and durability.
Blast Resistance: Blast-resistant buildings are specially engineered to withstand the powerful forces generated by explosions. They provide a multitude of benefits, including protection for staff, equipment, and assets during catastrophic events, reducing liability, and increasing peace of mind. They also minimize the time and cost of traveling to the work area, reduce exposure to hazards, offer flexibility for modifications, and reduce site disruption with off-site construction, resulting in safer and more efficient operations in hazardous areas.
Steel Buildings for Optimal Protection: RedGuard utilizes steel as the primary material for our buildings to ensure optimal protection against blasts. Steel offers exceptional strength and durability, making it the ideal choice for blast resistance. Its high tensile strength allows it to withstand intense forces generated by explosions, effectively mitigating the impact and minimizing structural damage. Steel also has excellent energy absorption properties, distributing the blast's energy across its structure and preventing concentrated points of failure.
Flash Fire Protection: Flash fires, associated with explosions, are intense but short-lived. Our buildings are designed to withstand these events without any additional coating. This capability is achieved through robust construction and materials.
Fragment Protection: Steel, the primary material used in our buildings, naturally provides excellent protection against fragments. To further enhance safety, we place studs every 12 inches, ensuring maximum resilience.
Withstanding Extreme Weather: At RedGuard, we prioritize safety in all our designs. Our buildings have been tested at Texas Tech University's tornado simulator and proven their ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. We can even provide a secure refuge during severe storms with self-standing (non-blast) commercial storm shelters from our RedGuard Diversified Structures branch.
Pass a Full-Functioning Acceptance Test: Before leaving our factory, each RedGuard building undergoes a comprehensive acceptance test to ensure it meets our stringent quality standards. This test guarantees that your building will function as intended from day one.
Safe and Efficient Installation Process: At RedGuard, we prioritize both the quality of our buildings and the efficiency of our installation process. We have developed a streamlined approach that minimizes disruption and maximizes safety. Our buildings are constructed off-site, reducing liability and minimizing disruptions. They are then transported and promptly installed at your location, ensuring a smooth process that minimizes inconvenience for your team.
As mentioned, RedGuard buildings already offer protection from the most common type of fire associated with explosions, flash fires. To enhance fire protection, RedGuard offers the option of applying an intumescent coating to our buildings. This coating is engineered to meet specific requirements. It provides a protective layer that responds to fire, expanding to form a charred barrier on the building's exterior. This barrier helps keep the temperature inside the building low, providing valuable time for evacuation or firefighting efforts.
When it comes to fire resistance, different scenarios require different levels of protection. For example, jet fire and pool fire scenarios have varying requirements and durations of exposure.
A jet fire occurs when a high-velocity jet of flammable gas or liquid ignites upon release and mixes with the surrounding air. This rapid mixing leads to a continuous and intense flame, often reaching very high temperatures. Jet fires are commonly associated with industrial processes like oil and gas operations, where pressurized fluids or gases can escape from pipes, nozzles, or valves, resulting in a highly concentrated and forceful flame. Jet fires are characterized by their narrow and elongated shape, and they can be extremely hazardous due to their intensity.
A pool fire, on the other hand, occurs when a flammable liquid spills or leaks and forms a pool or puddle on a flat surface. The liquid then ignites, resulting in a fire that spreads over the surface of the pool. Pool fires have a broader and more dispersed flame compared to jet fires. They are often encountered in scenarios involving flammable liquids like oil, gasoline, or other hazardous chemicals, commonly found in industrial settings such as chemical plants, refineries, and storage facilities.
Our experts can guide you in selecting the appropriate coating thickness and protective material for your site’s specific needs.
Learn More About Fire Resistance for Blast Resistant Buildings
RedGuard offers three levels of toxic gas protection. In most cases, the first level, gas detection equipment, is sufficient. This equipment provides early warning signs of toxic gas leaks, allowing for timely evacuation or mitigation measures.
For scenarios that require an additional layer of protection, we offer pressurization systems. These systems include a stack for fresh air intake, ensuring a continuous supply of clean air and creating a positive pressure environment inside the building. This positive pressure prevents the infiltration of toxic gasses, providing an added layer of safety.
In cases where additional "shelter-in-place" requirements are necessary, RedGuard offers airlock solutions. An airlock provides advanced gas detection capabilities and protection. The extreme level of protection in a shelter-in-place is designed for situations where individuals must remain inside the building because of potential external hazards. The airlock features a sealant and a vestibule on the outside of the building to control air leakage and maintain a secure environment.
Learn More About Toxic Gas Protection for Blast Resistant Buildings
To ensure consistent protection throughout the building, RedGuard offers blast-resistant windows in various sizes. These windows meet the same exposure requirements as the building itself, providing a seamless and robust defense against blast forces. From small portholes to larger 36 x 36 windows, our blast-resistant options maintain the integrity of the building.
We offer a wide range of interior finishes and furnishings to meet your specific needs. Whether you require built-in furniture, desks, shelving, lockers, restroom fixtures, kitchens, or countertops, we can provide customized solutions. Our expertise extends to all types of cabinets, ensuring efficient storage and organization. We also offer a variety of flooring options, such as vinyl plant flooring and carpet tiles, allowing you to customize the interior to suit your preferences.
Full HVAC systems are installed and ready to go in all RedGuard buildings. This provides comfort and good air quality, so that your occupants have a conducive environment regardless of external conditions.
In addition to the functional aspects of our buildings, we also offer a range of exterior finishes to match the building to other facilities at your site. Whether you prefer paint, brick veneer, architectural panels (aluminum or galvanized), or cement board, we can customize the exterior to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. This customization also extends to matching your company's branding, giving your building a professional and cohesive look.
Learn More About RedGuard's Interior and Exterior Customizations.
RedGuard's blast-resistant buildings offer a high level of protection, durability, and customization options. With our core features, add-ons, and customizations, we can design a building that meets your specific needs, from fire protection to toxic gas mitigation. Our commitment to quality, safety, and functionality ensures that your RedGuard building will provide a secure and comfortable environment for your team. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and explore the possibilities of RedGuard's blast-resistant buildings.
Your safety partner in threat mitigation for hazardous areas, providing safe spaces through customizable, scalable, modular buildings. The industry leader in blast-resistant buildings.
