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Solar UV Protection for Industrial Applications

VPS can work with engineering teams to develop custom industrial shade solutions that meet specific requirements for protecting products from the harmful effects of UV rays. We offer industrial shade structure design to customize the product completely.

Industry Applications of Shade Structures

We design industrial shade structures that are up to code and durable. Various industries can use industrial shade structures to help prevent damage from the sun and other weather conditions.

Some of the industrial applications for shade structures include:

Education: Design separate gymnasiums, auditoriums, conference rooms, and learning areas for extra space and safety or add coverage to bleachers and playgrounds for continued protection outside.
Food and beverage: Shade employees and customers from rain, sun, and other weather to provide a cool and comfortable place to work and eat.
Manufacturing: Develop designated loading and unloading areas for product assembly, shipment, and additional steps in the process if space is limited.
Military and defense: Help protect aircraft, drones, utility vehicles, and equipment from the elements.
Travel and transportation: Create alternative structures similar to terminals or bus stations for people to wait under for buses, taxis, and other modes of public transportation.
Water treatment: Shield workers and warehouse components from UV rays during extended working periods.

Hail Protection Structure Options for Industrial Applications

VPS industrial hail protection structures can give organizations peace of mind when protecting personnel and property during intense storms. We offer a wide selection of structures for unique situations, from large open areas to pedestrian walkways.

Mass Coverage

Mass coverage provides a mid-to-large scale solution for hail protection in industrial applications. VPS offers this configurable solution so organizations can protect people and property in large open spaces from intense hail conditions. The elements of our hail protection structures fit together in modules so industrial sites can customize the structure to their specific length and width requirements. We also offer the Panama Protector and Diamond Protector shape options to customize the space layout.

Covered Walkways

VPS covered walkways help make a safe and accessible route to travel through an open area, even in intense hail conditions. A covered walkway can also reduce the risk of fall accidents since the ground becomes less slick and covered with hail.

Cantilevers

A cantilever provides a free-standing structure for extra space to maneuver people and vehicles. Without the presence of columns or support braces, a cantilever allows organizations to fit more into a smaller space. There are also fewer objects to avoid when transporting goods.

Solid Membrane

VPS can customize many of our current structures to add solid membrane fabrics to integrate with structural designs. Our team adheres the fabric to the structure. We also offer several fabric options, such as PVC, PTFE, and HDPE scrim. Each one comes in several colors, although PTFE only comes in white.

Solar-Integrated Hail Protection

Solar integrated hail protection is an investment in the future of an organization. These structures protect from hailstorms with the added benefit of having solar panels on the roof. The panels constantly charge energy to help organizations make a significant return on investment (ROI) for the structure by saving on utility benefits.

Benefits of Industrial Shade Structures

For more than 33 years, VPS has provided quality solutions for shade structures in various industrial settings. Here are just a few of the advantages of industrial shade structures:

Minimizing risks from weather damage: Hail, sunlight, and other inclement conditions can cause harm to people and damage to vehicles and other equipment.
Reducing equipment exposure to UV Rays: The weather can fade the color of equipment, cause power outages in machines, and destroy electronic devices when placed in environments with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Creating shade for workers: Industrial shade structures offer durable and affordable options for sun protection. They can help people limit their time in the direct sunlight, providing a shaded place to take breaks or to work in as needed.
Customizing designs for a unique look: With a wide range of options, industrial shade structure design allows businesses to pick the fabrics, colors, and accessories to create a custom look.

FAQs About Industrial Shade Structures

For facility managers and engineers evaluating industrial hail protection structures across industrial sites, the questions below address lifespan, cost, load ratings and more.

The typical lifespan of industrial shade structures varies by:

Fabric material: Higher-grade membranes generally offer longer service lives, though all fabrics degrade at different rates depending on UV intensity, heat, and the chemical conditions of the site.
Framing: Steel frames with protective coatings such as hot-dip galvanizing or powder coating can remain structurally sound long after the fabric membrane reaches the end of service.
Environmental exposure: Sites with heavy chemical activity, high humidity, or extreme UV conditions place greater stress on the fabric and the steel, which can shorten the effective service period of custom industrial shade solutions.
Maintenance: Routine inspection, cleaning, and timely repairs can support long-term structural performance.

Yes, solar panels can be integrated into industrial structures to generate renewable energy and support ongoing cost savings. VPS offers solar-covered industrial shade structures and works with engineering teams to evaluate project-specific options.

Industrial structures can handle a range of wind and snow loads depending on the fabric and framing options. Engineering calculations during the design phase determine the specific requirements for each site. Regional climate data and local building codes can determine the minimum design thresholds the structure must meet, and in the United States, standards such as ASCE 7 map these thresholds to specific geographic regions. A structural review before fabrication confirms the final specifications.

The types of industrial applications that benefit from shade structures include:

Bulk material storage: Open stockpiles of aggregates, minerals, and raw materials can face ongoing UV degradation and precipitation. Industrial shade structures limit direct sun and weather contact, which may help maintain material quality during storage.
Loading docks: Covered transfer zones keep workers, goods, and vehicles out of direct sun and rain during handoff operations, potentially supporting more consistent throughput and helping reduce weather-related product damage.
Equipment fleet storage: Heavy machinery, utility vehicles, and other powered assets on open lots experience cumulative UV and weather wear. Industrial shade structures provide open-air coverage that may help maintain equipment integrity between service intervals.

Shade structures can improve worker safety in industrial settings by intercepting a significant portion of direct sunlight, which contributes to cooler surface temperatures and a more comfortable working environment. Some structural configurations provide partial wind attenuation at exposed industrial sites, which may contribute to a more manageable working environment.

The cost of industrial shade structures depends on:

Materials: Fabric grade, membrane type, and steel specification all influence price. Higher-performance options may carry greater up-front costs but can offer a longer service life.
Foundation requirements: Soil conditions and regional load requirements determine footing depth and complexity. Challenging terrain or high-wind zones may require more reinforced foundations, which can increase expenses.
Wind load needs: Sites in windier regions require heavier framing and more robust connection engineering, which affects fabrication and installation costs.
Number of structures needed: Larger coverage areas and multiunit projects scale the overall investment.

Contact Industrial Shade Structure Providers at VPS

VPS has collaborated with industrial engineers across various market segments to develop custom UV/sun protection solutions for specific sites and applications. With a wide range of fabric color options available to provide shade solutions for businesses, our selection includes HDPE Mesh, HDPE Scrim Membrane, PVC Mesh, PVC Membrane, PTFE Mesh, and PTFE Membrane. These versatile options have different features depending on the project.

Reach out to our experts to learn more about our custom, quality solutions for industrial applications and receive a free quote with a price guarantee. Feel free to submit a contact form and get in touch with us for a consultation!