Questions to ask when purchasing a Guard Booth

guardboothonline answers are in RED

Can you provide Engineered Drawings of the Guard Booth or Guard House with:

  • Design Basis (Building Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code)
  • Structural Design Criteria (Gravity loads, wind speed, snow and seismic loads)
  • Specifications (materials and electrical components)
  • Elevations
  • Floor Plans-door  and window schedules
  • Electrical Plan
  • Wall, Floor, and Roof Details
  • Base Frame Detail with Fork pocket design (very important for off-load and site moving- safely)
  • Anchoring Detail (very important in wind and seismic areas)
  • Slab/foundation design

guardboothonline can provide all of the above with a Professional Engineer Seal for your state.

How is your base frame designed (materials used and sizes)?

We use 4″ steel C channel (5.4lbs per ft.) or 6″ steel C channel (8.5lbs per ft.), perimeter beams with horizontal beams 2′ OC. All beams joined with a 1/4″ fully filet weld Two-part marine epoxy paint is applied to the finished product. 

Does your base frame have built in fork-pockets for SAFE LIFTING and moving?

guardboothonline manufactures most of our Guard Booths with a Fork-liftable base frame. Our frame is the only frame in the industry that has the fork pockets cut into the frame on two sides (lift from two directions). The fork pockets are reinforced at the top to avoid any pressure on the floor when lifting the Booth. This design allows for safe lifting and moving without any sliding or tipping. Fork pockets may be optional on some Booths, refer to the drawings for more information

What is the thickness of your walls?

We construct 4″ walls as a standard. We have constructed 6″ walls when required for energy codes.

Are your walls, floor, and roof insulated? If so what are the R-values of each?

All of our walls (R-13), floors (R-12.5 or R-19) and Roofs (R-13 thru R-30) are fully insulated.

Do you provide tempered glass in all windows and doors?

guardboothonline provides tempered glass in all windows and doors where required by code.

What are the thickness of your windows? Are the double pane? Low E Glass?

Most standard Models are equipped with windows are 1/8″ double pane (insulated) with Low E glass.

How is your Booth anchored?

We manufacture every Guard Booth, Guard House and Guard Shack with steel anchor clips. These anchor clips are welded to the steel base frame at each corner (generally 4 anchor points per building). A 5/8″ hole is drilled in each clip and is ready to accept a galvanized or stainless steel wedge anchor. The wedge anchors are installed on-site into a concrete slab/foundation by others.

How is your Roof anchored to the walls?

The roof is anchored to the walls or steel top supports using Simpson Strong tie Hurricane brackets at each roof rafter.

How are your walls anchored to the base frame?

The walls are anchored with 1/4″ x  20 tech screws at 16″ OC

What material is used on the interior/exterior walls?

Our walls are constructed of aluminum panels on the exterior and 1/4″ vinyl covered wood panels on the interior. We offer FRP (fiber reinforced panels) as an option on the interior.

What do you provide for floor coverings? Vinyl covered tile (VCT) will not hold up in high traffic areas.

guardboothonline manufactures all of our Guard Booths with 1/8″ aluminum tread plate floors as a standard. We offer steel tread plate as an option. We do use VCT in restroom areas only. 

Do you have a drop ceiling for easy access to attic space? (easily run data or additional site controls-gates, lighting)

We manufacture all of our buildings with a drop ceiling for easy access to the attic space.

Is the heat and air conditioner standard?

Yes, we quote all buildings with heat & air conditioning. The units quoted will be sufficient for the size of the building.

Does the air conditioner have a through wall sleeve? (easily remove for cleaning or replacement)

Yes, we install all of our air conditioners in a through wall sleeve. The means the unit can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.

Is the air conditioner installed above the window for maximum efficiency?

All of our air conditioners are installed above a window or at the top of a wall. This is the most efficient way to install a air conditioner.

Do you provide a separate wall heater with a fan, recessed in wall? (Baseboard heaters will be destroyed by chairs)

Are receptacles recessed in walls? Is the pipe or wiring exposed? (best to have all wiring recessed behind wall)

Do you provide interior and exterior LED  lighting?

Is the exterior light standard?

How is your door constructed? Do you have stainless ball bearing hinges? Do you provide a heavy duty door closer?

Is the door window tempered?

Can you provide a top suspended sliding door with hook bolt lock?

What is your roofing material?

Written by 

Leave a Reply