How do you protect what you can’t see? Without visibility over vast distances, what happens at a large location can easily go unnoticed. To secure any area, you need to see around it. Observation towers, especially modular ones, offer a quick solution to this problem by creating the vantage points necessary for effective surveillance and security. In this article, we’ll cover what an observation tower is, how they are designed, and some of their applications and benefits.
What is an Observation Tower?
An observation tower is a tall structure that is built to create a high vantage point for the purposes of monitoring, surveying, or observing the surrounding areas. These towers may be used in industrial locations, nature reserves, military locations, and even urban spaces, as they can provide a clear view over large expanses.
Because of their relatively quick setup, many modern observation towers are now modular. They are particularly valued in industries where rapid deployment is important, such as in construction or military operations.
How are Observation Towers Designed?
Observation towers can come in various heights, shapes, and sizes, but their primary purpose is always the same: to offer an elevated point for viewing and monitoring. As a result, design will depend on what specifically needs to be observed. However, to help make them more understandable, we’ll try to cover their basic parts/components.
Basic Structure of Observation Towers
The primary parts of an observation tower include:
- The Foundation: The base on which the rest of the tower is built.
- The Support Structure: Typically made of steel, ranging from simple lattice frameworks to complex designs.
- The Platform: The area where observers stand, and where a booth/building is placed, which must be spacious enough both for personnel and equipment; it will also often have safety railings.
- The Access System: Includes ladders, safety railing, and staircases, depending on the tower’s size and purpose.
(If you’re looking for something closer to the ground, check out our guardhouses.)
What are the Applications of Observation Towers?
As we mentioned already, the main purpose of observation towers is to observe the surroundings; and as a result, they are used in a huge number of industries. Let’s cover a few of their more common uses.
- Industrial Monitoring: Here they are important for overseeing large-scale operations such as construction sites, oil fields, mining areas, and more. They help site managers monitor progress and check safety protocols so that they can respond quickly to incidents.
- Environmental Conservation: Used in national parks and wildlife reserves to track wildlife, study ecosystems, and monitor weather.
- Military and Security: Used in military operations and border security to keep locations safe and secure. A high vantage point allows personnel to detect and react to potential threats quickly. They often use advanced technology like infrared cameras and radar systems as well.
What are the Benefits of Observation Towers?
Observation towers offer many benefits, some of which we’ve touched on already:
- Visibility: Obviously, observation towers help personnel view and monitor large areas of space.
- Flexibility: With modular construction, these towers can be set up relatively quickly, with many customization options depending on the exact industry and application. The booth at the top can have bullet-proof glass, materials designed to withstand harsh weather, HVAC units, and more.
- Improved Safety: This is a corollary to our first benefit, but visibility leads to a secure location. Constant monitoring of different activities, especially in a security context, reduces the risk of unforeseen events and improves response times in emergencies.
Observation Towers: The Bottom Line
The idea of using observation towers is not a new idea, and such buildings have been in use since ancient times. However, today, through modular construction, these towers can be built much quicker, more efficiently, and are able to be customized in a huge variety of ways. Whether for industrial, scientific, or security purposes, these towers provide the visibility and flexibility needed to monitor or protect large areas.
Looking to add visibility to your location? Reach out to the experts at Allied Modular to get a free quote on an observation tower today.
