Recent studies have found that people seeking to evacuate from an urban center in an emergency take a little over ten minutes to react and reach an exfiltration point. In such situations, every second counts. It is often crucial that you have lightweight materials to build shelters, and when you do, you need the material to be:
- Durable
- Sustainable
- Functional
- Easily used
- Weather-resistant
The following breakdown will explain why NovaShield® Fabric is perfect for the above reasons, offering you many benefits when used among other emergency structure materials. So, read on to discover the NovaShield® advantages and why the material remains trusted for emergency shelter fabric worldwide.
1. Quick and Easy Installation

In an emergency, you don’t have time to mess around with complicated systems. As such, NovaShield® Fabric has been designed and engineered for rapid deployment.
When time is crucial, these materials’ lightweight construction allows for rapid deployment to remote or disaster-affected areas. They are easy to store and transport, helping you and those you wish to assist without needing specialized tools or expertise during shelter setup and takedown. These NovaShield® Fabric benefits reduce delays during the response process, allowing users to help as many people as possible.
NovaShield is compatible with many types of steel frame designs.
As such, people need minimal training to use them during shelter setup. You can thus ensure the shelter erects much faster for quicker responses and remains in place for longer periods.
The high strength-to-weight ratio of NovaShield® sheets also:
- Allows NovaShield® to be carried and handled by smaller teams
- Enhances portability across multiple uses
- Empowers responders to adapt shelters to different terrains or weather conditions
- Lowers transportation costs due to easy storage and logistics
The simplicity of NovaShield® construction means it has already seen use in many industries. Its suitability for emergency shelters results from years of use in the field.
2. Environmental Sustainability
The creators of NovaShield® Fabric are proud to have created a material that sets high standards for sustainable materials, including those used in emergency shelters. The manufacturing process includes eco-conscious practices, so it has received Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze (C2C Bronze). This award means that as the product is used, reused, and recycled, it does not harm the world’s ecosystems. NovaShield is PVC Free which contributes to a healthier working environment for shelter occupants and installers.
The list of requirements to achieve C2C describes that, to achieve Bronze, you must ensure your product hits specific milestones in:
- Air and climate protection
- Material health
- Product circularity
- Social fairness
- Water and soil stewardship
Meeting all these means that NovaShield® offers assurances of eco-friendly and ethical quality, aligning with the corporate environmental responsibility and sustainability goals set by companies like IPG.
In summary, NovaShield® adheres to strict compliance standards and significantly reduces waste, providing a safer and greener alternative to conventional materials and many competitors’ offerings.
3. Reliability in Harsh Conditions
As an emergency shelter fabric selection, NovaShield® Fabric offers the durability and reliability you expect from an emergency shelter. Even in the most challenging environments, it remains resistant to:
- Extreme weather conditions in both hot and cold environments.
- UV radiation
- Heavy rainfall
- Diverse climates
Not only will it remain functional during all of these, but it will also preserve its color and structural integrity, meaning you will not need to consider replacing it after short periods. You will also need minimal maintenance to ensure it continues to protect the people and assets you shelter.
Such assurances mean you can consider using NovaShield®, even on rocky or rugged terrain. Sandstorms and other abrasive weather will also rarely affect the people inside, allowing continued care for those leveraging its protection.
One of the biggest points of pride regarding NovaShield® is its ability to do all this while remaining lightweight and non-toxic. The makeup of NovaShield® Fabric also balances durability and convenience but does not compromise when it comes to strength or reliability under a heavy load. Thus, you can use it for even much larger builds without worrying about whether it will retain its strength or continue to offer protection in an emergency.
4. Energy Efficiency
Translucency and Illuminance
Less Lighting = Energy Savings
NovaShield provides you with a light, bright interior due to its exceptional translucency. The translucency minimizes the need for artificial lighting, contributing to cost savings and allowing for simpler use of shelter spaces. It reduces a group’s reliance on external power sources to provide lighting and generally contributes to a more cost-effective method of offering emergency assistance.
How much light do you require?
ACTIVITY | ILLUMINANCE (Lux) |
Warehouses, homes, theaters | 150 |
Coffee break room, waiting rooms | 200 |
Normal office work, auditoriums | 500 |
Normal drawing work | 1000 |
Detailed drawing work | 1500-2000 |
Performance of very prolonged and exacting visual tasks | 5000-20000 |
Illuminance

White NovaShield produces 75,000 Lux which is more than you require for any activity.
Benefits of having lighter interior environments:
- Greater safety for occupants
- Less disruption of activities
- Less need for fuel based lighting devices
- Excellent lighting for educational activities
Emergency shelters also tend to remain around for significant periods, leading to them acting as temporary living spaces for evacuees. For such individuals, allowing more daylight to pass through creates a more pleasant living environment and allows for more daytime activities within the shelter.
NovaShield® Fabric Providing Innovation in Shelter Standards
NovaShield® Fabric offers high durability and reliability while remaining cost-effective and meeting high emergency shelter standards. Its quick installation process and sustainable design redefine how people can respond to critical situations and offer the support victims might need in an emergency.
If you need emergency shelters that deliver unmatched peace of mind, even in harsh conditions, investigate NovaShield® for material that meets modern challenges. For more information, contact us here at IPG to learn how we can supply you with the fabrics you need to solve your emergency shelter needs.