Salt is one of the most vital substances on Earth. And we use a lot of it – according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Massachusetts alone uses half a million tons of rock salt every winter. Bulk salt storage buildings are crucial to maintaining public functions. Many salt dome storage building design options exist, but some are better and more affordable.
What Is a Salt Storage Building?
Salt storage buildings are structures used for protecting stockpiles of salt, sand or other substances from the elements. Because salt is hygroscopic, exposure to water can cause it to become clumpy and unusable. Additionally, salt storage buildings prevent salt stockpiles from leaching out and polluting groundwater, which can severely harm the environment.
Pure salt, which contains only sodium and chloride ions, technically never expires with correct storage. That’s why it’s crucial to protect your salt stockpile with a reliable building. The ideal salt storage building is affordable, sturdy, long-lasting and well-placed.
Types of Salt Storage Buildings
You have three primary kinds of salt storage buildings to choose from. Each comes with specific advantages and disadvantages, from cost to maintenance needs.
Fabric Structures
Fabric structures pose an affordable alternative to wood or steel. The advantages of fabric structures include the following.
Corrosion-resistant: Engineered fabric structures are often naturally resistant to corrosion. Frames made of hot-dip galvanized steel are resistant to the corrosive properties of salt.
Adaptable design: Because fabric is durable, it is easy to build structures with high clearances and other available enhancements. You can quickly and affordably add an extension to the fabric building if storage needs increase over time.
Low maintenance: Generally, upkeep for fabric salt storage buildings involves regularly tightening the cover and annually checking the foundation and exterior for wear. Maintenance needs will vary depending on the structure’s age and make.
Natural lighting: Unlike wood or steel, fabric is translucent and allows natural light to pass through and illuminate your facility. As a result, it’s more energy-efficient — thanks to the sun’s rays, you’ll need to install fewer electric lights in a fabric structure than you would in an opaque steel or wood building.
Highly customizable: Choose from various fabrics and colors to suit your company’s needs. You can also add extra features like solar panels and skylights to further increase your structure’s functionality.
Well-ventilated: You can design a fabric structure to provide natural ventilation, which helps keep moisture from affecting your salt supply.
Wood Buildings
Wood is one of the most popular building materials because it’s inexpensive. The laminated wood arch Quonset style, wood frame style and timber dome are familiar types of wood buildings.
Here are some disadvantages of wood structures to consider.
Detailed upkeep: While wood is a good option for tight budgets, careful monitoring is essential to ensure its longevity. New, untreated wood buildings can fail in as little as 10 years due to careless maintenance.
Structural risks: Wood has a possibility of warping, rotting and swelling due to water and salt brine exposure. Water can also seep through wood frames and significantly affect the salt’s integrity.
Susceptibility to damage: Heavy equipment can easily damage wooden structures, particularly with timber domes. Even a minor crack can undermine the dome’s integrity and lead to collapse.
All-Steel Buildings
Another type of salt dome storage building is steel. Steel buildings are more durable and lightweight than wood structures, but less energy-efficient than fabric.
Some buildings, such as the steel arch structure, have a steel roofing system and solid steel walls. These buildings are sturdy but require adequate lighting.
Like with wood, ventilation is vital to manage corrosion. You need to take great care to keep the steel walls and roofing away from the salt, as contact can cause structure-weakening issues like rust.
While steel structures require little maintenance, regular inspection and preventive measures can significantly extend their lifespan.
How to Optimize Salt Storage Building Design
Good design is critical to maximizing your salt dome storage building. Essential design considerations include the following.
Structure shape: You may have wondered why salt storage facilities usually have a dome-shaped or peaked frame. These salt storage buildings are the most functional because they provide more space than any other building shape.
Adequate space: Many buildings lack enough room for trucks to empty salt deliveries. A salt storage building with a free span interior can ensure high clearances and maximized clear space.
Surrounding area: Every building site is subject to different conditions, including local climate and surrounding vegetation and utilities. Calhoun can help you determine how your site’s unique conditions will affect the building process with our proprietary site-specific analysis.
Foundation: You’ll want to choose a sturdy building foundation that allows for the most space possible. For fabric salt storage buildings, steel legs or helical anchors are usually ideal.
When to Upgrade Your Existing Salt Storage Building
Aside from obvious signs of structural failure, ways to determine whether you need an upgrade include:
Significant increase in required storage space
Difficulty driving trucks in or out of the building
Aging structures
Lack of compliance with local or federal regulations
If your situation meets any of these criteria, your operation can benefit from a new salt storage building.
How Much Does a Salt Storage Building Cost?
Your salt dome storage structure’s cost will vary based on several factors:
The size of your building
Your specific needs
The material you choose
Your industry
Any extra features
Building companies like Calhoun commonly charge by the square foot – for example, our competitive price range for fabric structures ranges from $6 to $20 per square foot. However, if your budget is still too tight, many companies offer financing options so you can pay in regular installments or lease your structure.
How to Choose a Salt Storage Building Company
With any significant investment, it’s essential to buy from a company you can trust. Here are some steps you can take to check whether a building company is worth looking into.
Check the testimonials: Read reviews on the company’s website, or check on websites like the Better Business Bureau to determine legitimacy.
Request a quote: Every company will provide a different pricing scheme. Asking for a quote is a reliable way to determine whether options are available within your budget.
Ask about warranties: A dependable company will have your back if issues arise with your new building. Standard warranties are 15 years, but some businesses offer extended packages for an additional fee.
Choose Calhoun Super Structure for Your Fabric Salt Storage Building
We offer flexible financing options for our customers so you can get the structure you need at a manageable price. All Calhoun structures come with a standard 15-year warranty that covers the framework and cover.
Calhoun Super Structure can help you build a fabric salt storage building to suit your needs. Contact us today for a free quote.
Download the FREE “Unique Benefits of Fabric for Salt & Sand Storage” eBook HERE
