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    Comparing temporary work
    tents and shelters

    Fast Tent inflatable work shelters are ideal for applications that require rapid
    deployment & relocation but how do they compare to other products?

    Fast Tent

    Pop up

    Marquee

    Tension fabric structure

    Container shelter

    Pre-engineered metal building

    Delivery
    & shipping

    2-3 days

    2-3 days

    1-2 weeks

    3 weeks

    1-2 weeks

    8-10 weeks

    Foundations
    required

    No

    No

    No

    Depends on soil conditions

    No

    Yes

    Set up /
    build time

    1 hour

    15 min

    2-3 days

    1-2 week

    2-3 days

    1-2 week

    Custom colours
    & branding

    Yes

    Yes

    Limited

    Limited

    Limited

    Limited

    Maximum size /
    span

    18m

    4m

    20m

    100m

    20m

    30m

    Easily
    relocated

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    No

    No

    No

    Durability

    Heavy

    Light

    Mid

    Heavy

    Heavy

    Heavy

    Cost

    $$

    $

    $$

    $$$$

    $$$

    $$$$$

    Compare tent types
    head to head

    • Fast Tent

    • Pop Up

      Marquee

      Tensile Fabric Structure

      Container Shelter

      Pre-Eng Metal Building

    • An inflatable structure uses air pressure to create rigid air beams. In this way, the air becomes a lightweight yet structural part of the building. There are two main types f air building – ‘constant air’ and ‘sealed’.

    • A ‘pop up’ work tent is a small collapsible work shelter that folds down to a compact, portable size, which will typically fit into a van or the boot of a car, for easy relocation.

      Traditionally used for entertainment purposes but industrial grade marquees available. Built in 3m-5m long bays with an eaves height from 2.3m (7.5’) to 6m (10’) on the largest industrial models.

      This group of buildings consists of a rigid frame covered with fabric. The cover is tensioned to provide the stable structural support of the building. Because of this, these types of buildings are known as tension fabric structures or ‘stretch tents’.

      Typically available in widths ranging from 6m to 20m wide (20’ to 66’), container shelters are widely used in the construction and mining industry. A container shelter can be left open ended or fitted with a back panel and a front panel with a door.

      Whilst these types of building look permanent, it is possible for them to be dismantled and moved to another site. Available up to 30m wide with a wall height of up to 7.2m.

    • Fast Tent
    • Pop Up
      Marquee
      Tensile Fabric Structure
      Container Shelter
      Pre-Eng Metal Building

    • Manufactured from flame retardant, reinforced PVC fabric, in a wide range of colours.

    • Materials

    • Typically constructed from flexible fibreglass rods and covered with a lightweight, waterproof fabric which is usually flame retardant. The frame and cover are typically integrated.

      Traditional marquee were constructed from heavy duty canvas, kept under tension by wooden support poles and guy ropes. However, most marquees used today consist of a rigid aluminium frame which supports an outer covering made of PVC.

      The lightweight covering and framework mean that widths of up to 100 metres (300’) is achievable whilst the modular nature means that almost unlimited length is possible.

      Container shelter roofs are constructed from galvanised steel arches, either single tubular or double trusses. These are designed to fix on top of any standard shipping container. The roof framework is covered with a heavy duty PVC cover and typically involves a tensioning system.

      Pre-engineered buildings are factory-built buildings of aluminium or steel that are shipped to site and assembled on pre-installed concrete foundations.

    • Wide range of applications in the construction and maintenance. Rapid deployment also makes it popular with military and emergency services.

    • Usage

    • Often used for railway maintenance and track welding, pipe welding shelters, police / forensic crime scene & incident tents.

      Wide range of industrial applications such exhibitions & trade shows, temporary supermarkets and warehousing.

      Great for any project that requires a large indoor space. Very popular as sports / leisure centes, hangers, warehouses and port storage / handling facilities.

      Container canopies are widely used by building and construction companies as a temporary workshop or storage area.

      Pre-engineered metal buildings are ideally suited to semi-permanent industrial buildings and warehouses.

    • Excellent insulation, compact storage volume, very easy to deploy and relocate

    • Advantages

    • Very fast to erect. Available in a wide range of colours. Easy to purchase and ship.

      Do not require expensive foundations. Widely available from many suppliers. Industrial grade marquees suitable for medium term projects up to 2 years.

      Available in large sizes, stretched tents can be lifted into position by crane. Tensioned fabric structures are ‘clear span’, offering huge amounts of interior space.

      Utilises containers for side walls which may already be on site and which can provide a secure storage space. No foundations required.

      Similar features to a permanent building.

    • Requires a power supply for fans / blowers.

    • Disadvantages

    • Only available up to 4m (13’) width. Not very durable.

      Height may restrict construction uses. Not easy to setup & move rapidly.

      Larger structures may require dedicated foundations. Needs specialist knowledge to construct.

      Limited widths. End walls are doors are typically optional extras.

      Difficult to relocate. Expensive.

    Detailed overview
    of tent types

    ‘Pop up’ Work Tent

    A pop up’ work tent is a small collapsible work shelter that folds down to a compact, portable size, which will typically fit into a van or the boot of a car, for easy relocation between work sites.

    Typically constructed from flexible fibreglass rods and covered with a lightweight, waterproof fabric which is usually flame retardant. These compact units, ( usually 2m L x 2m W x 2m H) are suitable for light to medium wind conditions. Because the frame and cover are integrated, they are very fast to set up and because the fabric covering is lightweight, they allow lots of natural light inside the shelter. However, the lightweight fabric does mean they are not particularly durable.

    These ‘pop up’ types of tent are often used for railway maintenance and track welding, pipe welding shelters, police / forensic crime scene & incident tents, and protection for telecommunication workers.

    When something a little larger is needed, then a ‘pop up gazebo’ or mini marquee is an alternative option. These use a lightweight metal frame with a waterproof fabric cover. Removable sidewalls are a common feature. Because these ‘pop-up’ structures are often used in the home, garden and for commercial use there are many colour and branding options. Typical size 3m x 3m, but more industrial, larger size versions are available up to 6m L x 4m W. The larger footprint of these shelters makes them possible with fire, search and rescue.

    Pros: The fastest type of site work tents to erect. Widely available in a wide range of colours and with custom branding options. Easy to buy and ship.

    Cons: Usage limited to fairly light wind conditions. Only available

    Marquee

    The traditional marquee was constructed from heavy duty canvas which was kept under tension by wooden support poles and guy ropes which were attached to pegs in the ground. However, most marquees used today consist of a rigid aluminium frame which supports an outer covering made of PVC. This means that they can be used on hard surfaces and it also means there is no requirement for internal support poles. Because of these, these structures are often referred to as Clear span structures.

    Although marquees were traditionally used for social & entertainment functions, they are very versatile and have a wide range of industrial applications such as exhibitions & trade shows, temporary supermarkets, car showrooms and warehousing. They can be used in the construction industry for keeping workers protected from the elements, protecting building elements, shoring, trenching, excavations.

    Commonly available in widths of 3m, 6m, 9m and 12m although widths up to 40m wide are achievable with the largest industrial marquees. Like our ‘Fast Tents’, length is almost unlimited, are often built in 3m wide bays so a 9m wide x 30m long tent would be built as 10 x 9m wide x 3m long bays. Typical eaves height is 2.3m (7.5’) although an eaves height of 3m (10’) is available on some models. Setup time depends on the size of the marquee and what you would like in it but a small 6x6m generally takes between 90 mins & 2 hours, a 6x18m between 4 to 6 hours and a very large structure may take a couple of days.

    Industrial Marquees tend to have a larger, heavy duty frame that is engineered for long-term use. Whilst a regular marquee has a bay distance of around 3m, a heavy duty industrial marquee will usually have a bay distance of 5m and a wall height of up to 6m. These types of temporary buildings are sometimes referred to as Freestanding PVC shelters or ‘temporary demountable structures’. With a steel frame and heavy-duty PVC covering, that includes a tensioning system they can be up to 15m wide and 7m high.

    Pros: Do not require expensive foundations. Widely available from many suppliers. Industrial grade marquees suitable for medium term projects up to 2 years.

    Cons: Height may restrict construction uses. Not easy to setup & move rapidly.

    Tension Fabric Building

    This group of buildings consists of a rigid frame (made from timber, steel, rigid plastic or aluminium. Once the frame is erected, a fabric cover is stretched over the frame. The fabric cover is tensioned to provide the stable structural support of the building. Because of this, these types of buildings are known as tension fabric structures or ‘stretch tents.’

    The lightweight covering and framework mean that widths of up to 100 metres (300’) is achievable whilst the modular nature means that almost unlimited length is possible.

    Although they are suitable for semi-permanent use, tension fabric structures, particularly those with aluminium frames, may be relocated.

    Pros: Available in large sizes, can be lifted into position by crane, open space, huge amounts of interior space.

    Cons: Larger structures may require dedicated foundations. Needs specialist knowledge to construct.

    Container Shelter

    Container shelters are constructed from galvanised steel arches, either single tubular or double trusses. These are designed to fix on top of any standard sea shipping container (10’, 20’ & 40’ lengths). The containers can be single or double-stacked units. These are ‘clear span’ spaces, which means you have an unhindered clear area for work operations. Typically available in widths ranging from 6m to 20m wide (20’ to 66’).

    The roof framework is covered with a heavy duty PVC or HDPE fabric cover (usually white or green) and typically involves a tensioning system, so that the PVC can be stretched tightly for improved durability of the PVC fabric.

    A container shelter can be left open ended or fitted with a back panel and a front panel with a door.

    The advantage of a container shelter is that it typically requires no foundations, saving costs. Also, since the shelter side walls are built from shipping containers, there is a secure space to store valuable items. Container canopies are widely used by building and construction companies as a ‘temporary work shelter’ for sawing, welding and storage.

    Pros: Utilises containers for side walls which may already be on site.

    Cons: Limited widths. End walls doors are typically optional extras.

    Pre-engineered Metal Building

    Pre-engineered buildings are factory-built buildings of aluminium or steel that are shipped to site and bolted together. This style of construction is ideally suited to industrial buildings and warehouses; it is cheap, very fast to erect. Whilst these types of buildings look permanent, they can be dismantled and moved to another site.

    Although these buildings typically require foundations, build times can be reduced because while the foundations and floor slab are being constructed, the beams and columns – the structural system can be fabricated in the factory. Once the foundations and floor are done, the columns are shipped to the site, lifted into place by cranes, and bolted together.

    Available up to 30m wide with a wall height of up to 7.2m.

    Pros: Similar features to a permanent building.

    Cons: Difficult to relocate. Expensive.

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