Tensile Membrane Structures

Specialist PVC & PTFE tensioned fabric maintenance & repair

At a glance

A brief overview of tensile fabric

Tensile fabric is one of our fortes. In fact, our multi-disciplined team have designed, installed, inspected, cleaned, maintained and enhanced hundreds of PVC and PTFE structures for clients throughout the UK.

Our turnkey services may be underpinned by decades of expertise, but they’re cost-effective too. This means that whether we’re called out to inspect a large tensile fabric roof, conduct a high level clean on top of a vast atrium or replace a section of canopy, our bespoke solutions are delivered with quality, professionalism and budgets in mind.

If you’re not sure whether we can help you, why not get in touch for a chat? Our initial client consultations are complimentary!

Know how

A brief overview of tensile fabric

Like most areas of business, there is unfortunately no prescriptive answer. Recommended cleaning intervals will be influenced by a number of factors including the location and use of the structure, plus the maintenance regime that has been adopted to date. In general, the older the tensile fabric, the more TLC required. Whether you’re thinking about repairs or cleaning, we’d recommend an inspection assessment to advise on the most effective maintenance regime to maintain its longevity, not to mention its appearance.

ETFE is a very popular choice for modern architecture/construction projects, due to the numerous benefits it presents. It is 1% the weight of glass, 100% recyclable, self-cleaning and has exceptional UV properties, which gives the feeling of the outdoors, indoors! But that doesn’t mean it is right for every structure. It can’t always be as competitive on price as PVC or PTFE can, for example, and its translucency isn’t suited to every scenario. Much depends on the specification of the individual project.

Tensile fabric maintenance is completely safe – even at significant heights – providing it is carried out by highly trained and experienced rope access technicians. At Access North Structures, it is our job to conduct the risk assessments and method statements for each job, but safety needn’t cause a concern for clients. Not only do we have all necessary insurances, but the technique itself is also the safest way to conduct maintenance at height.

Design & Installation

Any new enquiry begins with a free client consultation, so that we can understand your requirements and the nature of the project. We will then schedule a visit to your site to thoroughly research and specify the best-fit tensile solution for the job.

PVC is a great all-round, economical membrane for example, which ticks the recyclability box too. PTFE on the other hand, is a perfect alternative for larger structures due to its strength and durability, without any compromise of budgets.

But you can leave the design considerations to us. We’ll take into account the nuances of the structure, surroundings and overall brief, before designing the most suitable solution. Our aim is to guide you through any unfamiliar territory, in a clear and concise way.

Maintenance & Inspection

Routine & efficiency

Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)

Age, adverse weather conditions, accidents, misuse and poor upkeep can all contribute to the deterioration of tensile membrane / fabric, PVC and PTFE canopies and structures over time. Our teams are skilled tensile fabric experts who provide a variety of services to help extend the life and appearance of your tensile membrane, no matter whether it's a huge tensile membrane structure or PVC / PTFE canopy.

We specialise in bespoke inspection, cleaning and maintenance regimes, tailored to the requirements and environment of your fabric, whether it is PVC, PTFE, ETFE or any other tensile membrane. So whether we need to diagnose problems, conduct on-site repairs or simply make your tensile fabric structure shine by giving it a thorough clean with industry-recommended products, all of this support is provided by the same, highly-skilled team.

By providing a proactive approach to repairs, our planned preventative maintenance (PPM) regimes will help to maximise the life of your tensile membrane structure, whilst optimising its appearance, saving money and enabling you to budget longer term.

Access North Structures - Tensile Fabrics NDT Testing

In case of emergency

It doesn’t matter how rigorous your maintenance and inspection regimes are, you can’t plan for the unexpected. But, in the event of an emergency, we can ensure your tensile canopy is safe, repaired and back to optimum condition, before the issue can escalate.

Because we have response teams located throughout the country, you can benefit from the support of our tensile fabric experts, sometimes within hours of making the call. We’ll diagnose the problem as soon as we can on arrival, before conducting the necessary repairs safely and as cost-effectively as possible. And, before we leave, we’ll offer any additional advice that will help to avoid similar emergencies in future.

Think of us as an extension to your facilities and maintenance team - Your Team of Height Experts! Call us on 01484 506282