Custom Enclosures For Gen-Sets

Diesel Progress North American Edition, August, 2001 by Mike Mercer

Recent power shortages in California and elsewhere have created a heavy demand for electric power generation equipment capable of being transported anywhere in the world at any time. The demand for gensets has in turn created a demand for custom gen-set enclosures.

One company responsible for manufacturing such enclosures is Charleston, S. C.-based P.A.C.E. International, LLC. P.A.C.E. an acronym for Portable Applications & Containerized Engineering, supplies portable intermodal containers designed and constructed as enclosures to customer specifications. The containers are used for portable generator sets along with a variety of other applications.

P.A.C.E. was formed in 1998 by David Cross and Chris Jefferies, and production of international container enclosures began in December of 1999. David Gregory joined P.A.C.E. in early 2000 as director of operations.

"The whole idea behind the company was to model our enclosures around the concept of an intermodal shipping container, those used for overseas shipping of goods, and construct superior, purpose built enclosures, rather than convert old cargo containers," said Cross, who is managing director of P.A.C.E. "We decided that what we were seeing used to enclose some very expensive equipment could be accomplished much better using our intermodal experience to design containers which actually were meant to house power generation and other equipment. Basically, we felt we could build a better mousetrap."

The company, which has 27 employees, currently operates out of a 50,000 sq.ft. facility and recently acquired two more buildings with an additional 60,000 sq.ft. of production space. In addition, 1.5 acres of open storage space is at P.A.C.E.'s disposal outside the facility. Based on its current facilities, P.A.C.E. is able to provide up to 1000 TEU (20 ft. equivalent units, an industry standard for measuring container capacity) for mission specific applications such as gen-set containers. The company anticipates a 2000 TEU capacity by next year.

"The ISO container format is actually a good starting point for any kind of portable enclosure," said Gregory. "It provides a rugged, durable structure that can be modified to fit a wide variety of applications."

"The enclosure is seemingly the most insignificant component in a portable gen-set package," added Jefferies. "However, it is not the easiest part of the package to produce, but it is the most visible and we feel it is the most important piece of the package. It takes all the abuse during transport and it is exposed to the elements constantly

"Lets face it, there is an awful lot of money tied up in equipment inside one of these enclosures."

P.A.C.E.'s main emphasis is that its enclosures are purpose engineered, constructed and certified by independent classification societies such as Lloyds, or American Bureau of Shipping to satisfy the rigorous requirements of the International Standards Organization (ISO), and the Convention of Safe Containers (CSC). These certifications are accepted by commercial shipping lines, ports and various other authorities worldwide. P.A.C.E. also has the ability to test for rectification or reapproval of containers once they have been completed.

"We feel that our engineering and production capabilities give customers the best possible product for any given application," said Cross. "By approaching our enclosures as mission specific construction for housing of portable generation equipment, we feel we can better meet our customers needs and at the same time present a fully approved and safe piece of equipment."

"We believe that there is more to the process of building an enclosure than just cutting up a container and installing louvers, doors or windows," Gregory added.

"There is a lot of engineering work that needs to take place to ensure the structure will remain sound."

P.A.C.E.'s products are not limited to the power generation industry. Other applications include enclosures for portable communications centers, compressors and other machinery, offices and just about anything else a customer can think of, according to Jefferies. The containers can be constructed in several sizes.

"We typically work with what are known as Interlocking Micro Containers (IMCs)," said Jefferies. These measure, nominally, 10 ft. and 13 ft. 2 in. This enables two 10 ft. containers to form a 20 ft. module and two 13 ft. 2 in. containers locked together to form an ISO 40 ft. module. Other sizes include 45 and 53 ft. one-piece units and quarter containers, which are 6 ft. long x 5 ft. 10 in. tall x 8 ft. wide.

The containers are custom built to customer order specifications. P.A.C.E. will complete them to any level of interior finish required. "On some containers we have done as little as install doors, windows, louvers for ventilation and basic electrical service and finishing work," said Jefferies. "Others have been built as complete turnkey projects with counter tops, lights, electrical outlets, and air conditioners." Once complete, the enclosures can be transported on trucks, trains or cargo ships.