Reliable Protection for Aquaculture and Research Case Study
Fiberglass Shelters Resist Heat and Humidity
Aquaculture, cultivating fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments, is vital in supporting sustainable food sources and advancing research on marine health. A USDA's aquaculture research facility in Alabama, which focuses on disease control and pesticide studies, helps fish farmers optimize productivity and maintain healthier stocks. Alabama's extreme heat and humidity create unique challenges for the facility's structures.
Four Shelter Works fiberglass enclosures recently replaced aging wooden structures suffering the effects of high humidity exposure. The fiberglass enclosures, which range in length from 24' to 40' and measure 15’-10" x 8' (h), provide ample space for 10 to 12 large tank aquariums per shelter. The enclosures feature 3 inches of foam insulation, with an estimated R-value of 19, in both the walls and ceiling, ensuring energy efficiency and stable interior temperatures, which are critical for year-round production.
Customized Protection for Humid Environments
Unlike their stick-built predecessors, these fiberglass shelters have durable gel coat layers on the interior and exterior sides of the walls. The gel coat is water and UV-resistant, further strengthening the structure and adding to its useful lifespan.
One important design customization includes marine-grade plywood reinforcements in specified areas of the walls and ceilings for mounting equipment and lighting. Compared to standard OSB, marine-grade plywood offers higher water resistance and durability, giving the enclosures a longer lifespan in humid conditions. Wood reinforcement supports heavy equipment and lighting without compromising structural integrity.
Shelter Works also incorporated two formed openings in each enclosure, allowing for the on-site installation of customer-provided ventilation systems. The sizes of the openings were specified during the submittal process, ensuring straightforward equipment installation with easy-to-caulk seams. Formed openings, made during manufacturing, are wood-reinforced and FRP-encapsulated areas that allow through-wall equipment installation without exposing foam or compromising the shelter's 25-year warranty.
Working With Shelter Works
Shelter Works fiberglass equipment enclosures provide a reliable protective solution that offers durability against high humidity and hot temperatures. General contractor Mike McGinty of ETD Services, who has partnered with Shelter Works to supply four enclosures for the Alabama facility, highlights the benefits of these structures. According to McGinty, "Shelter Works is building a product that my client is happy with. Customer satisfaction is what we provide. Shelter Works delivers a fully operational building within the client's budget. That's what they need, and that's what they're getting. Shelter Works is easy to do business with, and that's why the USDA keeps coming back to them."
The USDA's decision to invest in these Shelter Works fiberglass shelters reflects their commitment to high-quality, resilient solutions for aquaculture research. The shelters support the facility's critical function through thoughtful design. The shelters are engineered to perform in challenging conditions, making them the ideal choice for protecting valuable research systems. For USDA and other research institutions, Shelter Works fiberglass buildings offer a dependable and cost-effective alternative to traditional building materials, providing reliable and consistent equipment protection at research facilities nationwide.