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Building & installations

Small adjustments in the construction, design and execution of a new greenhouse can have a huge effect on the quality, sustainability, continuity of your business and in the end the insurability. Some examples that you should pay attention to:

Construction and installations:

  • Melting factor roof
    Calculate the construction of your greenhouse on the chosen melt factor of the roof. Be aware: this can be prohibited by building codes and legislation. If you calculate with a melt factor it is mandatory to open the screens in case of snow. Take this into account in the calculation for the heating capacity.
  • Preform installations redundantly.
    If possible, double out the installation and take provisions to minimize loss in case of an adverse event. For example: out of a risk based perspective two boilers of 5 MW are better than one of 10 MW.
  • Make sure you can separate parts of your greenhouse by choosing equal separations for water, heat and screens. T
    his way, in case of a damage to your greenhouse, you can separate parts with a temporarily plastic partition wall and prevent ensuing damage to your crop. 

Gable and roof system

  • Storm resistance:
    • take extra provisions on the side of the greenhouse where a storm often occurs;
    • select a system with large glass supports in the roof bars and ridge;
    • add an extra number of small sheets in the end bays of the greenhouse;
    • add a windbreak next to the greenhouse or on the end gable of the greenhouse.
  • Frost:
    Prevent damage of aluminum profiles by frost. The (ridge) profiles should not have closed chambers. If they do, it’s important that condensation can flow away in any circumstance.

Screens

  • Use flame retardant screens which comply with class 1 or 2 of the NTA 8825. The NTA 8825 is especially developed for determining the fire retardancy of screens in a greenhouse.
  • Maintain a safe distance between lights and screen. In case of a fire retardant screen we advise a minimum distance to prevent depreciation of the material due to high temperatures of the reflector.
  • When using a combustible screen a minimum distance is mandatory.

Electricity
Take measures for the risk of induction:

  • Connect all parts of the construction, including the reinforcement of concrete, to reduce the risk of potential equalization.
  • Place an over-voltage protection at the main distribution box and on the data lines between the process computer and the management computer.
  • Avoid cable loops and allow pipes and cables to enter the building at one location as much as possible.
  • Use fiber optic cables for data transmission.
  • Ask your installer for a detailed advice.

Power failure
Take measures to be able to set up your equipment manually in case of failure of electronic systems and power failure. For example by installing special switches.

If you want more information?
Ask our risk specialists for a free advice.