When faced with the slowdown in wireless capex, Allfasteners’ response was to develop a product that would expand its customer base and still serve the needs of its current customers. The result was a new modular framing system, known as the NexSpan2 Steel Frame. The new frame can be used in many industries, including data center, wireless, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and others, said Bruce Carmichael, Business Development Manager at Allfasteners.
Allfasteners has been in the tower industry for the last 15 years, focusing on tower modification materials and structural bolting. Since its inception, it has expanded into concealment and other product lines that complement macro towers and rooftops sites.
Applications
The applications for the NexSpan2 Steel Frame are varied. They include challenging installation environments, rooftop antennas, plant rooms, pipework support frames, and heavy-duty roof frames.
“It is modular enough to be used for computer servers, telecom equipment, power, backup power, or HVAC,” Carmichael said. “The need for an elevated platform extends to protecting equipment in the compound at the base of a macro tower.”
No Welding Necessary
Allfasteners designed NexSpan2 to address the twin challenges of the high cost and time required for building frames on site.
“Our goal was to build an adult-size engineering erector set, which is a great way to create a modular system that can be built out without craning the materials,” Carmichael explained. “One of the unique advantages is that it is lightweight. It also comes in standard 20-foot lengths. The contractor can also decide if they want to cut it on site or have us pre build it.”
NexSpan2 has similar loading properties to welded steel frames, but no on-site welding is needed. Allfasteners has a professional engineer on staff to make sure the NexSpan2 configuration can handle the weight that the contractor is proposing for the elevated bridge.
“Speed to market is one of the key features of the NexSpan2,” Carmichael said. “Having a modular system that can be pre-engineered eliminates welding. The structure can be assembled with an impact driver or torque wrench, and it is designed to be easily leveled.”
The NexSpan2 uses an M12 T-bolt made from 10.9 high grade steel up to 10kN shear strength. Paired with the NexSpan2’s slot design, the T-bolt makes leveling frames and structures simple and fast, as opposed to traditional screw systems that require precise alignment of holes.
The Bottom Line
The product is just now being brought into use in the U.S. in its first large infrastructure construction project. It has been previously used in other areas of the world through Allfasteners’ companies, including two data centers.
The NexSpan2 aims to provide solutions for elevated platforms that are not only easier for the contractors, but also help the carriers decrease expenses.
“I think carriers generally are feeling the pressure with high inflation and high interest rates, so that’s why they’ve held back on their capex budgets,” Carmichael said. “The goal of the NexSpan2 is to bring cost savings not only in material but in labor.”
What’s Next
Allfasteners’ long-term goal is to add concealment walls to NexSpan2 that can hide a rooftop antenna site from the public’s view. With the help of the modular system, all the equipment will be camouflaged quickly and inexpensively using standard bolted connections, according to Carmichael. That should make both the carriers and the zoning boards happy.
Allfasteners will be at Connect X, booths 636 & 638. If you’d like to schedule a meeting with one of their representatives at the show, please email sales@allfasteners.com with the subject line ‘ConnectX Meeting’ and provide a brief description of what you would like to discuss. Click here for more information about NexSpan2.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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