By definition, everything Legacy builds is a long-span structure. Long span is defined by the width of the building and the span of the roof frame across the entire structure. Anything more than 20 meters is considered a long span, but for Legacy, that’s on the low side. These wide-open structures are also known as clear-span or free-span buildings.
One key architectural advantage of our buildings is that there aren’t central column supports, which gives our customers unobstructed floor space.
Long-span fabric buildings are for people (or organizations or horses) who need a lot of space. Examples include sports facilities, warehouses, hangars, equestrian arenas, and bulk storage (even for highly corrosive materials).
Professional Design, Engineering, and Installation
To ensure the successful construction of a long-span structure, there are several key considerations to keep in mind.
It is crucial to verify the contractor and building installation crews possess prior experience on buildings of a similar size. For instance, Legacy has an in-house engineer review all plans and design work. We employ our own crews for installations, thereby leveraging our extensive training and expertise to ensure proper construction. This streamlines the work on a Legacy build site.
Just because you select tensioned fabric for your building’s cladding does not mean you need to be boxed in from an architectural standpoint. Make sure your builder has experience working with architects if you want to customize your structure with things like windows, openings, or mezzanines. Legacy buildings are extremely customizable and we have worked with architects around the world to create structures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Kelly Fisher, Training & Exercise Coordinator and Field Operations Specialist at the Hennepin County Emergency Management Center in Minnesota shares their experience working with Legacy to design and install a long-span building.
“The style of the building gives us more usable space and a more robust frame than the other options we considered. Construction was so easy–the crews showed up and were completely self-contained. The entire project was boom–done–easy.”
Materials Used in Long-Span Building Construction
Certain construction materials are better suited for long-span structures. Long-span structures must be made of materials light enough not to require interior supports yet sturdy enough to withstand the pressures placed on the structure.
- Steel is a common building material for long-span structures. Steel is strong and relatively lightweight, so it is suitable for the building frame and/or the outside cladding. Legacy was an innovator when we introduced solid steel frames to the fabric building industry. Our steel frames allow you to customize your project with a long-span space that is up to 300 feet wide.
- Wood, particularly wooden trusses, may be used for smaller long-span buildings. Long wooden beams are more expensive and harder to locate, making wood less common for larger buildings.
- Structural fabric is a common choice for long-span structures because fabric structures are lightweight, cost-effective, and can quickly cover large surfaces. Legacy uses a PVC-based fabric called ExxoTec™ that is unique to our buildings. It’s tough, beautiful, and has a 25-year pro-rated warranty (for the 28 oz. fabric).
In addition to strong frames and tough exterior cladding, Legacy fully customizes every building we install. There are no off-the-shelf buildings because we believe every customer has unique requirements. Our design team isn’t interested in shoe-horning you into a building that only partially meets your needs. Contact Legacy if you want the whole package: a long-span building that is state-of-the-art in terms of engineering and functionality.
