Fabric building systems technology supports operations at Barrier

An international coatings company needed to find a way of improving the turnaround times for painting and blasting of major offshore fabrications inside an existing Rubb storage shelter, dating back to the 1980s.

Barrier Ltd has been busy working on projects for OGN Group, an offshore engineering, procurement and construction specialist, at OGN’s Hadrian Yard, Wallsend premises. Barrier Ltd’s specialist coatings division offers a comprehensive range of surface preparation and surface coating, which includes shotblasting, thermal spraying of aluminium and passive fire protection, as well as specialist paint systems. Barrier was using the Rubb building on site as a blast and paint cell for large sections of offshore platform decks, jackets and associated structures. To facilitate these processes, Barrier needed to replace an existing roller shutter door.

Barrier initially created a wider opening in the front gable and was using specialist scaffolding to close off the entrance to contain the project steelwork and protect it from the external environment. But ever tighter deadlines for turnaround of critical project items led to the decision that a Rubb Heli-Door would be a more cost effective, practical and efficient option. Rubb supplied new gable support work and a Heli-Door which provides a 21.5m wide x 8.5m clear opening for easy access and secure closure when required. The door is electrically operated via two slow moving helical geared motors, with emergency hand operation capability. The door goes up and down at the touch of a button.

Barrier Ltd went on to order three more steel framed fabric covered buildings from Rubb, to support expanding operations. These structures offer ideal cover and protection for equipment, manufacturing, maintenance, repairs, overhaul and construction operations.

Robert Bowles, Chairman of The Barrier Group, said: “In the period before construction begins and we subsequently move into our new facility next year, we needed to create temporary production areas that would support the delivery of current contracts and also increase the capacity for the manufacture of fire rated valve boxes for the international oil and gas market.”

Ken McLean, Barrier Ltd’s Project Manager, said: “The key advantage for Barrier in working with Rubb is their ability to engineer practical, cost effective solutions and deliver them within very tight project timescales.”

Rubb MD?Ian Hindmoor said: “We have been building the Rubb name by providing facilities like these to clients with ever changing requirements, due to the industry they work in. Rubb provides the ideal affordable solution that can help these businesses grow. Our fabric buildings can be designed to suit the site, quickly constructed and can be taken down, stored and relocated as required. They are tough, durable and a cost effective long term investment, with low running and maintenance costs. We have had a long standing relationship with Barrier Ltd, and I am delighted to see a business like that expanding and that Rubb has been a part of this process. I am happy that Rubb has been able to create a much needed solution to meet their requirements.”

Barrier is now using two 20m span x 24m long Rubb NV type buildings featuring 5m x 5m roller shutter doors in each front gable end. The structures’ sidewalls measure 3m high and the covering fabric includes Goosewing grey walls and a white translucent roof. These buildings were supplied and erected at OGN’s Hadrian Yard premises to provide additional coating facilities urgently required due to the success of OGN procuring two major offshore construction projects at the beginning of 2014. Rubb, Barrier and OGN worked together to achieve a very tight programme from order to completion.

In addition, Barrier ordered a 12m span x 18m long THA type fabric structure for use as an additional coating facility at their own Wallsend Yard. The THA building features a 3m x 3m roller shutter door and access door in the front end. The structural steelwork is hot dipped galvanized to protect against corrosion. The covering membrane is fabricated from high tenacity PVC polyester fabric, which is flame retardant. This is tensioned over the frame. The roof material is translucent white, which allows natural light to illuminate the internal space. Blue PVC walls complete the structure.

www.rubbuk.com