Sauli Peltoniemi, an installer who has worked for Best-Hall for more than 40 years, considers the quality of his work to be the most important aspect of his job. An installation completed to the last detail is not only a guarantee of safety, but also the finishing touch to a high-quality building.
Sauli Peltoniemi is part of the Best-Hall installation team of about 10–15 people who travel to construction sites to install the buildings. With smaller buildings, the work starts with fixing the anchors to the asphalt, while with larger buildings, the anchors have been driven into the ground with 1.20-metre-long anchor bolts.
The steel frame of the building is first assembled on the ground.
“The steel structures are joined together to form frame assemblies of 3 or 5 sections, which are then lifted upright by a truck-mounted crane and connected to the anchors. The assemblies are first fastened together at the ridges and corners, and finally they are all fastened together,” Peltoniemi says.
Once the frame is upright, the PVC fabric cladding is installed. The fabric is first lifted onto the ridge and then spread on both sides of the frame by means of straps.
Although there are many steps involved, a steel-framed building can be raised in just a few days. All work is carried out by a team of 2–4 installers.
Safety above all
Even though the installation technique is the same in every building, Peltoniemi likes the versatility of his work as an installer.
“As we work outdoors, weather conditions also sometimes bring their own variety to the job.”
The most important thing for him is to deliver a result that both he and the client can be happy with. Safety is the result of a job well done.
“Each one of the thousands of nuts must be well bolted and the fabric properly tightened. Each step takes its time, but the end result is rewarding.”
In a quality building, every detail counts. Peltoniemi also likes the fact that the people at Best-Hall are constantly developing their work in cooperation.
“Small details made at the factory have a big impact at the site. For example, it’s great that the straps in the corners of the fabric are easy to see in the package,” says Peltoniemi, praising the packaging change that the teams came up with together.
The physical work requires good fitness. Peltoniemi, who has even won the Kalevan kierros race, still does a bit of orienteering from time to time.
“When I travel, I often go out to explore the local outdoor trails.”
An installer gets to see the world
Working as an installer has taken Sauli Peltoniemi from his home in Kokkola around the world.
“In most cases, we send our own installation team with the frame to install the building. I’ve been to almost every municipality in Finland and seen most of Central Europe. The most interesting destination that this work has taken me to was definitely the Faroe Islands.”
Peltoniemi is motivated by seeing a finished, well-built building. He believes that sites also serve as promotion for new projects. For example, the recent installation of a padel facility rising to more than 10 metres has attracted the interest of local residents.
“Many clients make their purchase decision after seeing a finished building. When this happens, the way the building is made makes all the difference.”
