While many businesses are temporarily shut down in the wake of COVID-19, “essential” metal fabrication operations are manning the manufacturing front lines, providing the infrastructure to house our food and agriculture supplies and other vital resources.
Currently, it’s up to the cities and states in the United States to determine which businesses are considered “essential” or “non-essential” during this COVID-19 health, safety, and economic crisis. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently deemed “metal manufacturing” part of the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
These “critical manufacturing” operations include:
In essence, manufacturing – including metal fabrication – is now essential to maintain the services and functions Americans depend on to function resiliently during our country’s pandemic response. This is especially the case for food and agriculture, beginning with feed and grain storage.
It only takes one faulty weld or rust spot for moisture to compromise an entire silo full of essential feed and grain. Custom-fabricated steel silos, bins, tanks, and hoppers can protect entire harvests from moisture that can lead to grain caking.
An experienced custom metal fabricator can apply steel detailing techniques to protect the integrity of bins and silos, even during extreme climate changes that expose steel to water and fluctuating temperatures.
These techniques may include:
A qualified metal fabricator should be able to address design considerations to reduce the chance of structural problems during hot-dip galvanizing. Does the structure require one or more discharge mechanisms? Are custom accessories required, such as steel legs or bracing, or skirted bottoms?
Every deceptively simple-looking bulk storage tank requires custom fabrication to ensure the safe storage and transport of dry food, water, cattle feed, and other essential dry and wet goods to sustain our daily lives – even during a pandemic.
HVAC infrastructure and pollution control, including heavy ductwork and dust collection, can help essential manufacturers more safely:
Pollution control mechanisms must be fabricated with adequate water-proofing or fire-resistant finishes to ensure durability and allow essential workers to safely focus on their manufacturing tasks. Each ductwork fabrication must also meet specific industry standards, which can vary widely among essential manufacturers.
According to the Homeland Security guidelines, essential businesses provide the critical infrastructure now required to respond to COVID-19 – for health and safety, as well as “community well-being.”
Designated as an “essential” business, Southern Metal Fabricators is working with our nation’s industries to keep critical infrastructures intact for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.
Our quality, custom metal fabrications are helping to keep the wheels moving for critical infrastructure industries, including:
Plus, Southern Metal Fabricators backs up each custom metal fabrication with quality control (QC) documentation, including industry-specific inspections and welding certifications. Our dedicated QC inspectors go the extra mile to make sure every metal fabrication meets or exceeds safety and quality standards.
If you’re ready to work with an essential metal fabricator that goes above and beyond to ensure safety and quality, give us a chance to say, “Yes, we can do that!” by contacting us today.