Stockpile covers are fundamentally large tarps that protect merchandise being stored out of doors until it is either processed or moved to its intended destination.
Many external factors can damage stock that is stored outdoors without the proper protection. These include UV degradation, wind, precipitation and mechanical or animal tampering. Some vendors do not have the indoor capacity to store substantial quantities of goods for an extended period. In these cases, stockpile covers are a cost-effective, reusable option to keep wares on-site and out of the elements. Common applications include salt, grain, sand, fertilizer, and other raw materials.
How do I Choose the Best Geomembrane for My Project?
When helping clients choose the most effective geomembrane for their application, a variety of factors are considered. The duration that the stockpile cover will be employed will help determine the suggested thickness. The type of stock and how often it will need to be accessed can also drive the proposed thickness and type. Localized weather elements that the geomembrane will be exposed to is crucial in proper selection. Last, ballast requirements must be taken into account to ensure that the geomembrane and its contents stay in place. These considerations all contribute to determining the best thickness and type of material for our clients’ application. As the duration of exposure increases, so does the recommended thickness of the product. Under general circumstances, applications set to be exposed for 12 months or less would be quoted an 8mil material. Projects that would be exposed for 1-2 years would be recommended a 12mil product, and 2-3 years a 16mil product. The longest duration that we would recommend for a stockpile cover would be in the 3–5-year range and would be suggested a 20 mil product. Both woven coated polyethylene and Dura-Skrim are our most widely recommended stockpile cover products. Both geomembranes are UV resistant and feature a scrim center laminated between polyethylene outer layers to provide exceptional tear and puncture resistance.Ballast Options for Stockpile Covers
The discussion does not end after the thickness and type of material. Any time large geomembranes are left uncovered, the wind can quickly catch exposed seams. Best case: this can cause wear and tear on the liner as it is moved by gusts. Worst case: the wind can work its way under the geomembrane, ripping it up and sending it sailing away. Proper ballast is essential to keep stockpile covers and the goods they protect intact. Typical means of ballast include sandbags tethered together and placed along the top and sides of the pile. These are usually secured with grommets along the ground-edges of the cover. Ropes secured to large sandbags or blocks on the ground surrounding the stockpile is another effective means of ballast. ICS’ custom fabrication capabilities enable us to fabricate stockpile covers for your project specifications. We are also able to install grommets and sew sandbags directly into the cover for your site-specific ballast needs.Special Considerations for Stockpile Covers
If your project is too large for a prefabricated stockpile cover, our installation crews will be happy to fabricate and install your custom cover on-site. Our crews have the experience to ensure that exposed folds and seams are minimized to ensure your cover stays in-place and the contents underneath stay protected. Contact our sales team to see if your problem storage project can be solved with a cost-effective, custom stockpile cover from ICS.
