FSM


Features


Retracting your Tunnel Vision


Retractable tunnels are mainly synonymous with sports stadiums. However, their versatility is such that they can be used for many other applications, explains Teresa Parkes, Sales Co-ordinator at Spaciotempo UK.


When we say retractable tunnels, you say sports stadium!


It’s not unusual that this image springs to mind. After all, retractable tunnels are a common sight across the UK and the world over, used to provide a covered walkway to protect players and officials from bad weather or overzealous fans. However, they can offer so much


more to many different industries – that is if we don’t give ourselves tunnel vision!


A Question of Sport


Before we explore other industry uses for retractable tunnels, let us look at the state of play with sports stadiums. Retractable tunnels are not just put in


place to protect our modern-day athletes from getting their hair wet! For instance, in the UK, the FA also has strict regulations that make this a requirement at certain club levels. If crowd trouble does occur, it is important that the retractable tunnel can be operated quickly and efficiently, whilst providing protection. They are not just purely functional though.


They can serve as an important revenue generator for clubs. Retractable tunnels, like those offered by Spaciotempo, are manufactured in flame retardant PVC which can come in a variety of colours that can be branded inside and out. In football especially, with so much attention on the players’ walk on and walk off, the tunnels offer the perfect place for sponsors to be seen. The nature of the retractable tunnel allows marketeers to be more creative


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too, in comparison to other media. For example, a tunnel cover supplied recently by Spaciotempo to The John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, where the players’ tunnel represents a John Smith’s Extra Smooth beer can that gets ‘crushed’ when it retracts!


Thinking Outside the Box


Moving away from sport, the beauty of these tunnels is that they are so versatile that they can be used across a wide range of industries. Cruise terminals and harbours, for example,


benefit greatly from having covered walkways for passenger baggage handling/checking in and branded tunnels from the terminal to the cruise liner. Clear panels, windows and even side access points can also be added if the tunnel is long. These serve as important health and safety features if anything were to occur inside the tunnel. For industry and logistics, unloading and


transporting stock in the open is far from ideal, especially in wet weather, and water damage can be costly. Retractable tunnels offer an easy solution, ranging from covered


walkways protected from the outside elements, or a retractable loading canopy over a shutter door that can be pushed back and secured to offer more working space during good weather. Retractable tunnels don’t have to


be limited to outdoor areas either. They can be used in innovative ways within factory buildings, such as ‘black out’ areas for non-destructive testing inspection tunnels, dust protection and wash down areas. They have also been utilised to create a high-level of privacy while sensitive or confidential


work is carried out in venues such as nuclear power plants. Quite clearly, these structures are versatile


in their application, but they’re also flexible in their build. They can include right and left- hand angles and can be installed on steps or slopes. Tunnels can even be mounted to a side wall if required, where a wall each side is not practical.


Ready in three, two, one...


One of the main advantages of a retractable tunnel over a permanent solution is how quickly it can be ready for use. Made using high grade aluminium, they are


lightweight yet strong and are easy to operate and store. The smaller tunnels measuring up to 3m wide and with an eave height of 2.4m can be delivered fully assembled and ready for use while larger sizes are assembled on-site. Spaciotempo can, of course, provide its own installation service if required. So, aesthetically pleasing, promotional


tools which provide protection and flexibility – what more could you possibly want?


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