Brian Stock
Vice President & General Manager
Easi-Set Industries
Building enclosures, sometimes called shelters, at electrical substation sites have evolved over the years due to changing demographics and peak demand loads, which require an orchestrated ability to move power quickly.
Past years saw the use of small block or metal buildings as the normal type structure for these sites. In the small city of Manassas, Va., Bob Ray, substation supervisor and PCB coordinator, is looking at larger and quicker options for his building needs at these sites. Driving up to an older substation recently, he said the 10 feet x 12 feet block building (now considered small) with wood and shingle roof is no longer used. Today, he prefers structures that provide quick installation, vandal resistant finishes and long-term durability that withstands ice and debris striking the structure`s roof.
Ray said even the squirrels are safer with the newer, larger portable precast concrete buildings. Older stations had the oil or vacuum breakers outside, exposing them to squirrels and potential shorting out of parts of the system. With the larger buildings ranging in size up to 30 feet clear span x 100 feet, Ray can install metal-clad switchgear inside the building, safe from curious squirrels.
Ray said Easi-Set Industries offers precast portable building structures as large as he needs and that can be installed in one day with no foundation required. The buildings use a patented post-tensioned roof and floor design, making them watertight and strong. He said it is easy to attach heavy equipment fixtures to the concrete walls.
Spring and fall are known as the best times for new construction since power demand is normally lower during these seasons, but this is still a small window in which to get a new or reconstructed station up and running on its own. Precast structures allow construction in weather conditions that subject traditional building construction to delays, and the quick setup avoids extended construction periods that require other substations to take the peak demand load.
Ray said the changing demographics of the Manassas area create a growing need for structures that blend in with surrounding buildings. Easi-Set buildings offer an optional brick finish made to look like other brick structures in town.
Vandalism and hunting are other sources of damage affecting some substations. The durability of precast concrete rated at UL 752 level 4-bullet resistance and the anti-graffiti coating on the brick helps to limit this damage.
The only required maintenance is repainting doors or attached hardware. Ray said the larger buildings provide additional space for other sensitive equipment used at the site. A substation that already has towers and equipment restricted to public access and hosts a larger precast building can also accommodate telecommunication equipment.
Easi-Set Industries
Inquire R.S. 101
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Bob Ray stands in front of a 20` x 40` precast concrete building at the Manassas substation.
