Life-cycle cost studies confirm that the steel roofs are among the most cost-effective roofing systems available for a warehouse.

Background
The progress in warehousing sector in India is driven by multiple factors. Growing manufacturing activities, rise in domestic consumption, emerging organised retail sector heavily governed by e-commerce and increasing private and foreign investments in infrastructure for logistics; have enabled warehousing as one of the crucial components within the economic value chain. By 2020, the Indian logistics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12 per cent, primarily driven by the growth in manufacturing, retail, FMCG and e-commerce sectors.

Customer demands
To improve operational competences and address increasing customer demands, companies are adopting new age technologies, systems and processes. To gain a competitive advantage, many global corporates are seeking efficiencies from warehousing and logistics capabilities that are very critical to their business. Quick delivery and tighter service level agreement are witnessed of recent due to the e commerce boom. Ensuring customers ’goods remain safe inside the building is the top most concern for every warehouse owner. A structure which is safe, durable, well insulated, fire proof, incurring minimum maintenance and is easily erected for early revenue generation is critical for the warehousing sector to overcome challenges, as well as maintain, improve and sustain competitiveness.

Metal roofing
Roofing, is a critical building component that provides longevity to the entire structure along with protection of goods during extreme weathers. With a plethora of roofing materials available within the construction sector, steel is the most preferred metal due to high strength and longevity.

A solution you can trust
COLORBOND Steel from Tata BlueScope Steel is the most preferred colour coated cladding material aptly suitable for the warehousing industry. Some of its benefits are elaborated as under:
• Fire resistant: Warehouses are often susceptible to fire hazards as they are exposed to materials and goods that could be highly combustible. In industries particularly sensitive to smoke and contamination, such as food, even a small fire can cause a large monetary loss, due to smoke contamination. Pre-painted and metallic coated COLORBOND Steel sheets perform extremely well when exposed to fire, as they are non-combustible as compared to other non-conventional roofing materials.
• Corrosion resistant: One of the primary concerns of a warehousing is heavy exposure to toxic emissions as most of them are situated in Industrial zones, terse environmental conditions or close proximity to marine environments; where rusting, fading and chalking of a regular metal roof is possible. COLORBOND Steel comes with high quality paint system that are resistant to the above conditions and outlasts other roofing materials.
• Long lasting aesthetics and design flexibility: Durable, with long lasting paint technology, light weight and available in aesthetically appealing colors and its viability in a number of profiles, COLORBOND steel offer extensive design flexibility to architects.
• High strength light weight: The strength of metal roof is high with lower weight – a benefit more often realised in seismic belts and also in retrofitting projects. This further reduces the load on the overall structure making it lean.
• Thermally efficient: Goods stored in warehouses though under conducive temperature control, may consume higher energy if the roof is not thermally efficient. COLORBOND steel backed by THERMATECH Technology with high solar reflectivity, reduces the inside temperature by upto 5-degree Celsius; thus ensuring thermal comfort. Being an energy efficient roof, it also reduces the overall energy cost.
• Quick installation & faster delivery: The roof installation is easy and quick and in many cases COLORBOND Steel roof can be installed over existing roofs also, saving costly tear off.
• Environment friendly: COLORBOND steel is 100 per cent recyclable and is environment friendly, with a lead free paint system, suitable for rain water harvesting. Ideal for corporates looking for sustainable building materials.
• Low on maintenance: COLORBOND steel that lasts upto four times the lifespan of a conventional pre-painted galvanised steel ensures almost zero maintenance. Simple maintenance of COLORBOND steel by regular washing with clean, fresh water will not only prolong its life but also maintain its attractiveness for longer periods thus protecting the asset.

The applicability of steel roofing in warehouses has increased due its multiple advantages. Low cost, light weight and low maintenance were and still are demand triggers for a warehouse. Modern technology has added precision, safety, insulation, durability and aesthetics. There is also considerable reduction in both labour effort and material used during installation, with quick turnaround time for the entire project that ensures early return on investment. Life-cycle cost studies confirm that the steel roofs are among the most cost-effective roofing systems available for a warehouse.

For more details, visit
www.tatabluescopesteel.com