What makes a Zappshelter different from cheaper alternatives?

It would only be fair to add a note of caution regarding some common pitfalls with fabric structures. There are alternatives to a Zappshelter, which use cheap components and have not been engineered for use in the UK. These companies often use very basic design codes in order to then state that the structure is ‘engineered’ meanwhile these design codes are actually intended for the likes of fairground tents and marquees. Due to how short-term fairground tents are, they are much lower risk and the design checks therefore allow much lower wind loading, snow loading, and fabric forces to be applied, compared to a permanent structure.

When a temporarily monitored structure like a tent or marquee is installed, they monitor the weather. If the weather exceeds certain thresholds, the structure is evacuated, and often either dismantled or made safe (such as slashing the covers). These structures are not intended to be left to fend for themselves, so when they are, the statistical possibility of exceeding the design parameters is really high.

We see these failures firsthand, especially during the storm seasons. They fail catastrophically, sometimes with danger to life and there is never any allowance for this within the manufacturer’s warranty. Warnings regarding this are often hidden deep within the fine print, and are easy to miss. Risking the lives of your staff is not an option. We strongly urge you to study the small print before purchasing a fabric ‘shelter’ online. One obvious giveaway is a low cost for what is apparently ‘the same product’. But there are other warning signs too – examples of details to look out for would be if the frame is made out of round tube, or if the connection to the containers is only clamped on rather than welded.