Blog | Uniquip Tent 12A Plus
In the telecommunications industry, uptime is everything. But for the engineers and jointers working out in the field, the biggest adversary isn’t complex fibre optics or tight deadlines, it is the unpredictable British weather.
When you are splicing fibre or maintaining street cabinets, a sudden downpour isn’t just a nuisance; it is a critical risk to sensitive equipment and project timelines.
For Safety Managers and Project Directors, providing the right field shelter is not merely about comfort; it is about operational efficiency and ensuring regulatory compliance.
This is where the Uniquip Tent 12A Plus stands apart. Engineered specifically for the rigours of modern telecom environments, this tent offers a robust solution for working at height, on street level, or in remote locations.
In this post, we will explore why the Tent 12A Plus has become an essential asset for construction and telecom companies, analysing its durability, safety features, and how it keeps your projects on track regardless of the forecast.
Why is investing in high-quality field shelter non-negotiable?
In the construction and telecom sectors, delays cost money. If a jointer cannot work because of wind or rain, the schedule slips. More importantly, attempting to work in adverse conditions without proper protection can compromise the integrity of the network (water and fibre do not mix) and the safety of the workforce.
Reliable equipment like the Uniquip Tent 12A Plus serves two primary functions:
The Tent 12A Plus is not your average pop-up shelter. It is a purpose-built telecom tent designed to withstand site abuse while offering a safe working environment. Here is a breakdown of the specifications that make it a market leader.
Field tents often fail because their frames buckle under wind pressure. The Tent 12A Plus addresses this with a heavy-duty aluminium framework utilising 20mm tubing. This is significantly more robust than standard recreational tents. Furthermore, it features a lower crossbar made of steel. This steel support brace adds critical structural integrity, ensuring the tent remains rigid and grounded even in gusty conditions common in urban high-rise or open-field projects.
Working on street cabinets, specifically the larger G.Fast cabinets, requires flexibility. The Tent 12A Plus features zipped openings at both ends.
Through-access: This allows the tent to be placed over a cabinet or workspace with cables running out both sides.
Ventilation: In warmer months, opening both ends creates a cross-breeze, preventing the interior from becoming a heat trap while still shading the worker and equipment.
The skin of the tent is manufactured from reinforced polyurethane. This material choice is deliberate and offers a trifecta of protection:
Additionally, the material is translucent. This allows natural light to ingress, which is vital for jointers who need to distinguish between coloured fibre strands without relying entirely on artificial lighting.
Despite its robust build (weighing approximately 21.5kg), the tent is designed for efficiency. The integrated frame and cover design means there are no loose components to lose in the back of a van. It folds down to a compact size (1.2m x 0.3m x 1.0m), making it easy to transport and store. An experienced technician can erect or pack away the tent in approximately 2–3 minutes, minimising downtime on arrival at the site.
This tent is specifically optimised for the installation and maintenance of G.Fast street cabinets and general fibre jointing.
Standard jointers tents often struggle to fit over newer, larger street furniture. The “Plus” in the 12A Plus signifies its wider dimensions (2m wide x 1.8m high x 1.2m deep). It is designed specifically to cover a standard PCP (7×7) cabinet plus the G.Fast bolt-on pod. This ensures that the entire active work area is shielded, rather than leaving the technician or the equipment partially exposed.
For Safety Managers, the Tent 12A Plus ticks the necessary boxes. It is widely recognised as an Openreach approved item (often referred to under similar specs in the industry). Using equipment that aligns with these standards demonstrates a commitment to best practices and can be a decisive factor during safety inspections.
| Feature | Generic Industrial Tent | Uniquip Tent 12A Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Standard Nylon/Polyester | Reinforced Polyurethane |
| Safety | Rarely fire retardant | Fire Retardant & UV Resistant |
| Stability | Lightweight plastic/thin metal poles | 20mm Aluminium & Steel Bracing |
| Suitability | General purpose | Openreach Approved / Cabinet Specific |
| Light | Often blocks light (dark interior) | Translucent for natural light ingress |
The Uniquip Tent 12A Plus is more than just a shelter; it is a tool for continuity. By investing in a tent that offers steel-braced stability, fire-retardant safety, and specific dimensions for modern telecom cabinets, you ensure your workforce remains safe, compliant, and productive.
Don’t let the weather dictate your project timeline. Equip your team with the protection they need to deliver excellence, rain or shine