Application and destination shape the shortlist. Record end use, site exposure and installation constraints before comparing a clear-span quote with an alternative.
For a distribution shell, start with dock module spacing, apron levels and vehicle circulation. Fix the finished floor elevation before asking for door and dock interfaces. The envelope quote should identify roof drainage, ridge closures and allowances for sprinklers. A lower frame cost can be offset by extra dock steel and omitted weather seals.
Each scenario is illustrative. Confirm wind exposure, local load basis, fire strategy and access constraints for the actual location.
For a workshop, record runway elevation, crane duty and the crane supplier’s wheel reactions. An allowance for a future crane must appear in the design basis before bids are comparable. Ask whether crane beams, stops, brackets and access are each included. Separate corrosion exposure at wash-down areas from the exterior coating schedule.
For a maintenance hangar, mark the aircraft tail height, door track and overhead operating clearance. Ask the door supplier and frame designer to coordinate the deflection limit and support reactions. A generous framed opening may still narrow after tracks and trim are installed. Record the limits on the opening detail, along with the local authority’s fire review scope.
Bars use an illustrative four-point planning scale. They show how an enquiry can be triaged, without presenting market or project statistics.
Move a topic to the front of the review if a missing answer could change the frame configuration. Where the programme depends on local fire approval, ask the project team to confirm the assembly and the relevant test evidence before quoting a panel core.
When comparing EPS, PIR and mineral wool insulated panels, request declared thermal conductivity, thickness and mass per square metre for the quoted build-up. A foam-core option may reduce panel weight, while mineral wool can suit assemblies with different fire or acoustic requirements. Compare evidence for the same panel joints, support spacing and fixings. Ask the supplier to identify the test report, assembly drawing and exposure conditions so the design team can decide whether that evidence applies at the intended location.
For wash-down workshops, compare galvanized and painted steel using the same exposure and maintenance access. Ask for the coating mass in g/m² or the specified dry film thickness in µm, then check the repair detail at cut edges and welded joints. Record the proposed inspection method and locations where readings can be taken after erection.
Include the destination and the operational constraint that drives the layout, such as dock count, runway clearance or hangar door width.