If you've ever undertaken a building/remodeling project, even a personal one, you know it is crucial to choose the right contractor. Substandard materials, unnecessary delays, and lack of compliance are just a few of the pitfalls you must try to avoid.
Finding a blast-resistant building vendor is similar to hiring a contractor, except that the stakes are much higher. Blast-resistant buildings are a vital component in high-risk industries, so it is necessary that you take all precautions to keep your team safe.
So, how do you know what companies are reliable and will provide you with the best blast-resistant building? Here are a few pointers to lead you to the right company.
Shortlist Companies Based on Their Specialization
Time is of the essence. You don't want to waste weeks, even months scouring the construction industry market. Blast-resistant buildings are a niche product in which few companies specialize. Start by making a list of blast-resistant building vendors that have the best reputation. By gathering a list of potential companies, you can begin to narrow down your search.
Where Do You Find This Information?
Referrals
As mentioned above, blast-resistant buildings are a niche product used in industries that deal with the threat of explosions. That's not a lot of players to consult. Instead, talk to the people in your network. Find out who their vendors were and their experience dealing with them. Like with any important decision, always keep in mind who is providing you with the referral and note any unintentional biases. For example, if you are receiving a referral from an engineer, make sure they are a third-party engineer rather than one who works for a blast-resistant building company. RedGuard, for example, uses third-party engineers to perform blast tests. This is the best way to ensure accurate, unbiased results.
Online Reviews and Portfolios
When it comes to online reviews, you need to be cautious. Most of the internet is unpoliced, so some discretion is necessary. Fortunately, with a niche product such as blast-resistant modules, the feedback you are looking for will come from commercial clients. They don't spend as much time trolling businesses online. In the absence of reviews, scrutinize the websites of the identified specialists and look for their level of experience.
Once you have your shortlist, it's time to analyze the suitability of the vendors.
Understanding Building Codes in Your Area
When evaluating your candidates, make sure they clearly understand the federal, state, and local building codes in your area. Even though they will be doing the construction, the buck of responsibility ends with you. You will be liable for any violations.
Quality Assurance
Blast-resistant buildings have one primary responsibility: resist a blast to keep occupants safe. If it can't do that, then it isn't worth the investment. Your vendor should be able to prove that what they advertise is what you'll get. What kind of material do they use? Have they tested their modules? Did a non-partisan third party verify the tests and results? It isn't enough to have mathematical proof of blast resistance; there needs to be physical, practical proof.
Customer Service
Customer service isn't just about responding to queries. It's about delivering a promise. What resources does the vendor provide? Do they keep deadlines? How do they ensure that there are no delays? Is their project management process transparent? Will you have a point of contact? What other services do they offer? Since this isn't an off-the-shelf purchase, this is going to be a long-term relationship. You need to know that you can trust them to deliver what they promise when they promise.
Choosing the right vendor is crucial to the safety of your employees. Take the time to research your potential candidates and ensure they have what it takes to deliver a quality product. At RedGuard, we offer a premier line of fully customized, steel blast-resistant modules. Backed by the industry’s only successfully tested, blast-resistant design and virtually unlimited manufacturing capabilities, a SafetySuite blast-resistant building is a durable, comfortable and reliable environment, unrivaled by the competition. If you'd like to find out more about our solutions, talk to us. We'd love to hear from you.
Interested in learning more? Check out our Steel vs. Concrete Head-To-Head Comparison.
