Industrial Salt Storage Buildings
Why Do You Need Salt Storage?
To explain why you need salt storage building solutions, let’s first talk about salt’s value. Salt is an essential nutrient and food preservative. Plus, it makes foods taste better. Besides being for food, however, salt is also used for water softening, animal nutrition, and making certain chemical compounds such as chlorine.
Also, it works as a de-icer. In Tennessee and Alabama, ice and snow are rarer, but when it snows, it loves to make an impression. Storing ready-to-use road salt provides an inexpensive, non-toxic method to de-ice.
While you may not picture salt when you think of perishable goods, improperly stored salt can lead to lumps, which can be problematic when spreading salt. In addition, a salt storage building can prevent salt from possibly contaminating streams or dissolving.
When it comes to sand and salt storage, salt is best stored under cover and away from the elements. When you store salt properly, you don’t need to spend money on crushing salt to eliminate lumps or possibly lose money due to it dissolving from the rain.
Bulk Salt Storage
Regarding bulk materials, bulk salt is valuable during a winter storm. Salt does not have an expiration date as long as it’s stored properly, as it’s a natural resource that has been around since the beginning of Earth. Bulk salt storage means you don’t have to worry about emergency shipments during a winter storm, which can be delayed due to the weather.
Salt Storage Building Benefits
Protects the Salt From Direct Exposure to the Elements
Salt may clump together if stored in a humid area, leading to difficulties unclumping it when it’s ready to be used. In addition, salt can dissolve if exposed to the rain. Salt storage buildings prevent salt from being exposed to these elements.
Building Strength and Durable Fabric Can Withstand Significant Wind and Snowfall
A sand and salt storage building prevents your supply from being lost due to a windstorm or heavy snowfall.
Minimizes Product Loss From Wetting and Leaching
Salt and sand storage buildings prevent your supply from being lost, which can lead to lost profits and an inability to prepare during a winter storm.
Ability to Maintain the Salt Condition Without Clumping or Heavy Crusting
Salt and sand storage buildings can keep your salt as grainy as it was when you first imported it.
Protecting Groundwater and Wetlands From Runoff
Improperly stored salt can run into groundwater and wetlands, causing contamination. A salt and sand storage facility prevents this.
Building Height Allows for Excellent Maneuverability
The arch shape of salt buildings means it’s much easier to unload and load any supplies.
Increased Employee Safety
A salt and sand storage facility can keep your employees safe from the elements when unloading and loading.
Hot Dip Galvanized to Prevent Corrosion
This is a steel treatment that prevents buildings from corroding. Have your salt and sand storage building last almost as long as the salt itself.
Fabric Liners Keep the Steel Out of Contact With Salt
These buildings use a fabric structure to prevent contamination, ensuring your salt is ready for consumption.
Maximized Height, Clearance, and Square Footage for the Price
Salt and sand storage buildings are big enough to store your salt, but their shape and design mean you are paying less.
Flexibility to Load From a Portable Conveyor System or by Dumping and Pushing
Install a conveyer, or use a salt truck to load and unload.
Variety of Foundations to Suit Your Budget
Salt storage buildings come in all shapes and sizes, helping you when you have a lower budget
Selecting the Site for Salt Storage Structures
Make It Safe
The ideal salt storage building allows heavy equipment to enter with visibility in all directions while away from frequently traveled roads. In addition, the site needs protection from unauthorized personnel, such as fences.
Keep It Accessible
The storage area should allow front-end loaders enough space to move without any doors interfering. Even if there are storms, these buildings should allow for easy access.
Keep It Legal
Your building should comply with local and state zoning requirements and building regulations.
Keep It Tidy
You want a building with no junk or scrap material that could interfere with the salt or the vehicles. In addition, you want an establishment where it’s easy to remove any excess salt or trash.
Keep It Economical
You want protected rock salt piles that won’t waste any money or harm the environment and your storage facility to be in a convenient location.
Control And/or Collect All Drainage
Your salt storage building should have drainage away from stockpiles, with nearby support from pads or aprons. Drainage should not lead into any reservoirs or groundwater supplies. In addition, you must contact local laws when disposing of brine.
Cost of Industrial Salt Storage Buildings
A salt storage building can be economical, but it can vary depending on the amount of salt you need to store and if there are any other functions. The best way to know how much a building will cost, however, is if you have an idea of how many tons you need to be stored. An honest subcontractor can give you an accurate estimate regarding costs.
Design Factors for Salt Storage Buildings
Load Requirements
To ensure safety and insurability, your building must follow International Building Codes (IBC).
Capacity Requirements
Knowing how dense your salt is can help determine the best width and length for your storage building.
Reducing the Risk of Corrosive Damage
Salt is among the many corrosive materials, so your building must be hot-dip galvanized. This will protect your building from any corroding from loose salt.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation will promote air movement and ensure your building remains dry, preventing clumping.
Consider Independent Foundations and Panels
Your salt storage building may utilize independent foundations and pre-cast walls, which can be more economical and help you to reduce corrosion. Of course, your salt and sand storage solution can depend on your unique needs.
Hiring Professionals vs. DIY
To ensure building safety and give you the most storage for your money, hiring a professional for your salt and storage fabric buildings can be a smart move. We at TR Industrial have experience working on salt dome buildings and sand storage, helping you tackle all the elements as you keep your salt safe. Contact us for a free estimate.
Get Your Free Quote Today!
Your next industrial construction project doesn’t have to be a hassle. Let the specialist team at TR Industrial create and design your new facility while you rest assured of stellar execution. There’s a free quote at the bottom of every page!