We have all seen the huge mechanical services plants. They come in gargantuan scales, some over 7400 Sq/Ft large. The mass of piping and heavy metallic construction catches anyone's eye. Huge stacks tower above the other buildings emitting smoke, steam and sometimes even flames. But what exactly goes on in these places? What purpose do they serve and what products do they sell?

Sheet Metal Fabrication

It is hard to understand what these places can produce that could be useful for the average person. In fact almost everything we use and buy comes in no small part from these plants. One of the biggest commodities that are used is sheet metal fabrication.

Metal is used in constructing many things, ranging from cars, to buildings. Even airplanes are constructed of metal. And it is from plants such as these that the metal fabrication is carried out.

Types Of Metal

There are many different types of metal. Larger plants offer many different types, whereas smaller plants might just offer one or two. The most common sheet metal fabrication types are:

• Steel

• Galvanized steel

• Stainless steel

• Aluminum

• Copper

Design Process

The companies do not simply make sheet upon sheet of blank metal. No. There is a very highly trained team of designers who work with the client to work the metal into whatever shape they want. They use advanced technology and computer software to design the shapes according to client’s need and then fabricate the metal as needed. Because they work the metal and create the patterns themselves it is often cheaper to go to the plant itself rather than hire an independent designer.

Pipes

As well as making using sheet metal fabrication to make specific items for a client it can create piping. Piping is used in many different areas of modern day life - more notably in warmer climates.

Air conditioning

Can you imagine suffering through a humid summer’s day without any air-conditioning? Thanks to plants such as these that cool our larger buildings. By using advanced cooling systems and a system of pipes they are able to aid in air ventilation. Plants such as these tend to focus on more industrial and commercial cooling systems rather than residential cooling.

Cladding

The metal produced by these plants through sheet metal fabrication can also be used as cladding. Cladding is the outer casing of a building and with industrial or commercial buildings metal is a good option. Whether you are building a new construct or you just need to repair an older one cladding can be made to fit your needs.

The advantages to using a high quality metal for you cladding are many. They include:

• Protecting building structure from corrosion and other climatic conditions.

• It improves the appearance of a building's exterior.

• Can easily be painted allowing for more individuality, than brick or stone.

• Appealing to new tenants or buyers.

There are many more products created by these industrial plants that we would never suspect. So the next time you drive by one, remember that the metal for your car also came from a plant.