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Modular buildings have recently become a common aspect of schools and other facilities looking for fast, reliable and scalable solutions for space. From temporary mining camps to elementary school campuses and construction sites, modular buildings are a cost-effective answer when space must be available quickly or needs to change often.
One aspect too often neglected during the selection of a modular building, however, is the best option for building access. Typically, the choice of access is left to the end of a project and decided without considering the long-term costs and features of each option.
The most common choices for modular building access installed on-site are concrete, wood or steel. Each has advantages, but may prove costly when the longer term value is considered.
Concrete and wood are low in material cost and easily built by local labor, but require more time to build and install than a pre-fab metal unit. In addition, both concrete and wood must be sealed (and re-sealed) to protect the material over time. This ongoing routine maintenance creates additional cost over the use period of the building. Should the building no longer be needed, or if a move is required, these concrete or wood stairs must be removed and disposed of. If the building is to be reused, new stairs must be built at additional cost and time.
Steel pre-fabricated stair units can require less time to install if they arrive properly sized for the building, but they are heavy to ship and modifications can be cumbersome. The steel must also be painted to protect against the elements, and good maintenance is essential to long-term use.
Aluminum access systems, however, combine several key advantages of these other systems with aluminum’s unique benefits.
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Like building blocks, aluminum stairs, ramps and walkways can be put together quickly. They arrive on-site already built to code, and have built-in adjustability to conform to variations in the site. Additionally, aluminum has a high strength-to-weight ratio, resulting in aluminum stairs and ramps that are lightweight yet sturdy. Shipping costs are often lower than comparable steel systems, and aluminum systems require less labor to move and install thanks to their lower weight. Aluminum systems can also be easily moved along with the building or from one location to another, saving both time and money.
Maintenance needs are virtually eliminated with aluminum stairs and ramps, thanks to aluminum’s natural oxide layer that protects the material from the elements. The oxide layer is also self-repairing and will spontaneously re-form if scratched or scuffed. Aluminum stairs and ramps can remain better looking longer because of this natural layer of protection.
As a final benefit, aluminum is one of the most sustainable materials in use today. The Aluminum Association estimates that nearly 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today. Unlike other materials, aluminum can be endlessly recycled, losing none of its properties during the recycling process. Additionally, recycling aluminum takes just 5 percent of the energy required to produce virgin aluminum. This makes aluminum a valuable scrap metal when the time comes to recycle an aluminum stair or ramp-added value at the product’s end of use.
Because of aluminum’s ability to be recycled into new raw material, building access products made from aluminum meet sustainability guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council and can contribute to LEED credits.
When it comes to determining which material to use for a modular building’s access, aluminum stairs, ramps and walkways can offer significant long-term cost savings because of the metal’s durability, transportability, customization and sustainability.
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Key Features of Aluminum Stairs and Ramps:
- Adjustable Height
- Code Compliant
- LEED Contributor
- Lightweight
- Portable and Reusable
- Protective Natural Oxide Layer
- Recyclable
- Sustainable Material
- Versatile
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Joshua Klober is commercial lead for REDD Team by Sapa, Delhi, La., a leading manufacturer of high-quality aluminum access products. He has worked in the fabricated solutions industry for more than 13 years, including six years as a draftsman. Visit www.reddteam.com for more information.