Our blast resistant equipment centers safeguard switchgear, motor control, drives, transformers, generators, rectification, and communications equipment provided by our electrical OEM partners,” said President & CEO Jerry Driscoll. “We select the HVAC systems required to handle anticipated heat loads from both the environment and the electrical equipment housed within.”

Unlike personnel shelters, Lectrus blast resistant equipment centers are designed to help eliminate the risk, downtime, and costs associated with the loss of critical control systems during an explosion. Using both interlocking panel and crimped plate design, Lectrus’ blast resistant equipment centers can withstand side-on or overburden pressures of up to 6.0 psi (depending upon the response level, low or high).

Lectrus engineers and builds these centers to meet NEMA 3R and NFPA 496 pressurization standards for explosive environments, and to resist the anticipated side-on pressures during explosions. After determining the necessary blast resistant design parameters, Lectrus designs and analyzes each structure, in addition to analysis by an independent consultant using finite element (FE) and single degree of freedom (SDOF) to understand its response to the anticipated blast load. This knowledge allows Lectrus to determine the optimum layout and location for all electrical equipment and utilities housed within the structure. All HVAC units, doors and windows are properly selected, reinforced and secured. Furthermore, all Lectrus blast resistant equipment centers are designed to comply with relevant sections of standards from API, ASCE, PIP, US Army Corps of Engineers and major oil companies around the globe.

Lectrus Corporation, formerly Metal Systems and MSI Equipment Centers, is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee and was founded in 1968. The company has grown to be an industry leader, developing solutions for a wide range of clients and industries, including custom manufactured equipment centers that integrate and protect critical low and medium voltage switchgear, motor controls and other electrical components in the power, oil & gas, water/wastewater, industrial and other markets. Lectrus also designs and builds operator centers and custom metal enclosures for a variety of other applications and markets.