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Archive for June, 2010

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Steel Building Loads

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

To ensure that your steel buildings will be engineered to perfection, the supplier should know everything there is to know about the project – its final use, its exact location, etc. It is also your responsibility to inform the supplier on the correct design loads for the area in which the metal structure is going to be erected.

All kinds of forces, especially from nature, must be taken into consideration when engineering a steel building. Such forces like, wind, snow, rain, and others, should be accounted for.

The different forces or loadings have been studied and quantified by code authorities for the use of building engineers. Your steel building should be engineered to withstand these four kinds of loads:

Ø Dead Load – This refers to the weight of all the steel that makeup the whole building. Usually measured in pounds per square foot, the standard dead load for most buildings is 2.5 lbs/ft2.

Ø Live Load – The building’s live load is comprised of the weight of workmen, tools, and equipment that would be on the building during its construction. Live load also includes the weight of rain falling and construction debris. The standard live load is 20 lbs/ft2.

Ø Snow Load – Accumulated snow is not always uniform across a roof because it can drift. This unique characteristic guided code authorities to define its own load. You need to get the correct snow load for your area from your local building authority.

Ø Wind Load – This is the greatest external force engineers have to account for because the whole steel building is affected by wind. The effects of wind on a building is dependent on a lot of factors such as, the building’s height, number and location of framed openings, and various other factors. Be sure to get the correct wind load for your area from your local building authority.

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Pre-Assembly of Your Steel Building

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

After the foundation of your steel building has been built, you should now prepare for the delivery of the metal structure. Make sure that you have given the supplier your correct phone number and shipping address. It would be helpful if you could provide additional directions and landmarks to look out for en-route to the construction site.

The Drawing Package

By now, you should have gotten in touch with a professional and experienced erector of steel buildings who should study the erection drawings provided by the supplier. Aside from other important documents, the drawing package also includes an erection and safety manual and a list of materials or “shipper”.

It’s best that you also read the erection and safety manual, which contains standard procedures and safety guidelines for erecting pre-engineered steel buildings. Other important documents, contained in the package, include information on unloading, inventorying, and storing your steel building.

Preparing for the delivery

Your steel building will be transported on a large, flatbed truck, and packed inside a shipping container. On the day of delivery, ensure that the truck carrying it has an unobstructed access to the construction site. Check for unfinished roads and overhead wires which might delay the delivery. If necessary, contact the authorities or provide alternate routes for the delivery truck.

In addition, prepare the construction site, by making sure that there is adequate space to store the individual components of the steel building as well as enough room for your crew to work on.

Unloading your steel building

It is your responsibility to unload the metal structure. Because some of the bundles may weigh as much as 3000 lbs, ensure that you have enough manpower to do the unloading. Ask your supplier as to what equipments you might need to be able to properly and safely unload your steel building.

Inventory

Make a thorough inventory of the steel building parts, as they are unloaded, by checking off each item in your shipper. Also, make a proper count of like items. Before signing the bill of lading, take note of shortages, missing and damaged items and ask for the carrier’s acknowledgement. After the inventory, ensure that your steel building components are covered and protected from the elements.

If in case a building component is found defective, not damaged, during the erection process, inform the supplier as soon as possible, and demand for its replacement.

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YOUR STEEL BUILDING’S FOUNDATION (continuation)

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Even if you hired a foundation engineer to build your steel building’s foundation, you should also be aware of the process and everything that’s going on during the construction of the foundation.

There are two components to a foundation – the walls and the footings. The foundation walls are load-bearing walls that serve as supports for other walls and columns. Portions of these walls are placed below ground level. The foundation footings are structural units that distribute the weight of the load-bearing components of the building.

Actually, the steel building’s foundation should be designed to withstand very high horizontal loads that tend to push outwards. These loads must be properly accounted for to ensure that your foundation and the framing members do not encounter structural damage.

One way of distributing horizontal loads is through the use of steel tie bars. To evenly distribute the loads, the building columns are tied together using reinforcing bars that are connected to the anchor bolts. Sometimes, when the horizontal load is not that great, hairpin ties that transfer the load directly to the rebar, are used in making the concrete floor.

Increasing the size of the footings is a more expensive way of distributing the horizontal loads. However, a bigger footing counteracts the force of the horizontal load, thereby ensuring that the foundation will not shift.

Prior to pouring the concrete foundation, forms must be placed to hold the concrete together until it dries up. The shape of the forms dictates the shape of the foundation.

Forms are usually made from either wood or metal. They must be firm enough so as not to yield to the pressure of the concrete and tight enough to keep liquid concrete in and rainwater out.

Ensure that the concrete is exposed to the best conditions in order for it to set properly. The weather must be dry and the temperature must be between 50°F and 90°F during the first 72 hours, for strong concrete to dry. After 72 hours, the concrete should now be strong enough to allow the construction of your steel building to start.

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YOUR STEEL BUILDING’S FOUNDATION

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Before even planning your steel building project, you should have clearly defined its purpose because this will be the basis of the type of foundation for the metal structure.

The foundation is the most important part of a pre-engineered steel building because a poorly laid foundation gives rise to problems such as, unsettled or shifting walls which can lead to structural damage over time.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of foundations – the portable foundation and the permanent foundation. Under each type, there can be a lot of variations.

Portable foundations are generally used for portable steel buildings like cabins. The steel building is assembled on top of a base plate, which is then connected to the concrete perimeter using anchor bolts.

The biggest advantage of this type of foundation is that it provides mobility to the steel building. Also, the height of the building remains the same. In addition, building a portable foundation takes less time and is much simpler when compared to a permanent one.

For applications such as homes and industrial buildings, the permanent foundation is the obvious choice because the structures don’t have to be moved. Also, the higher amount of loads for these buildings requires permanent foundations.

It is of primary importance that the construction site, be surveyed by a professional, before pouring the foundation. This ensures that the land is level and that the exact boundaries of the plot are defined and marked. The latter information is very important for the building erector.

After the construction site is surveyed, grading or physical leveling follows. The purpose of grading is to make the land conform to the height and shape of the surveyor’s stakes.

Once the construction site has been leveled, excavation can begin. Included in your drawing package is the proper bolt-setting plan with reactions. Based on these reactions, your foundation engineer will design a suitable foundation for your steel building. You can also consult your steel building supplier’s representative for the kind of excavation your building requires.

Minor excavations are for simple and small steel buildings while deeper general excavations are for the more complex ones.

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DESIGNING YOUR STEEL BUILDING

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Before your steel building goes to the manufacturing process, your building concept must first be discussed with the supplier’s authorized representative. This is the most crucial part because the output from this discussion determines the specifications of your steel building. You need to answer some very basic questions about how you plan to use your building and what you want it to look like.

After this discussion, your steel building’s specifications will be sent to the technical department. Their job is to make sure that your steel building is engineered to be structurally sound by incorporating certain standards that sometimes require minor changes to your original design.

Designing your steel building involves defining its final use and requirements. These are the basic concepts that you need to understand:

Ø Width and Length – By defining the purpose of your steel building, you also determine its width and length. Do you want a small building to use as a workshop or a large one to be used as storage for your farm produce? The size of your property is also a major factor in this decision.

Ø Height – The height of your steel building is determined by the height of the outside wall and not the clearance inside the building. In steel buildings, there is such a term as “eave” height that is used to determine how tall the building will be. Again, the height of your building is dependent on its purpose. If you want to store a large boat, then the height of the boat is a major factor in determining the building’s height. Also, the height of your door is another factor to consider. There is a general rule of thumb, which states that the building’s height should be 2 feet higher than the door.

Ø Roof Slope – This is another term for roof pitch and it determines how steep the angle of the roof is. This measures the ratio between the rise over the run. To give you an example, a 1:12 roof slope means that the roof would rise 1 inch for every 12 inches of width. This means that for 24 ft. wide building with a 1:12 roof pitch, the peak of the building at the center would be 1 foot higher than the eave.

Ø Framed Openings – Determine the exact location and measurements of your door. Large doors require some kind of framing that needs to be incorporated in the design. Framed doors are typically 2 ft. shorter than the building’s height to allow for door mechanisms to work properly. Another factor that affects framed openings is the placement of cable bracing that will keep you from placing doors in some parts of the steel building.

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PLANNING TO PURCHASE A STEEL BUILDING

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Steel buildings are known to be sturdy, durable, safe, low maintenance, and cost-effective. If you are planning to purchase a pre-engineered steel building, you have to be familiar with the process involved so that there won’t be unpleasant surprises along the way.

The first thing to consider is the budget. You have to understand that the price of the metal structure is more or less half of the overall cost of the project. When you order your pre-engineered steel building, the manufacturer’s deliverable include the design, the erection drawings and the materials for the basic metal structure. You have to include in your budget, the cost of building the foundation – labor, tools, and materials included.

In addition, the construction of your steel building will require labor, tools, and equipment. This is true, specially, for large steel buildings. However, some small metal structures used as garages, storages, and workshops can be erected with a little help from your friends and family members.

After considering the costs of the foundation and the construction, you also have to add the cost of how the building and the site are finished out. These include the costs of added features like doors, windows, flooring, plumbing, electrical, insulation, landscaping, etc.

A very important thing to do before buying your steel building is acquiring the necessary building permits. Postponing this activity can increase the overall cost of your steel building project. This early, you need to contact the local authority and find out if it is necessary for you to have a permit to build. If a building permit is required, you need to know the applicable building codes and design loads and the necessary papers to submit, like stamped drawings.

This information determines how steel buildings will be engineered and priced. Changes made after the building has been designed and custom-made, will be costly and you might even end up with a steel building that you cannot use at all.

Make sure you purchase your steel building from a reputable and experienced steel building manufacturer. But before you undergo the whole process of planning your steel building project, you must first ask yourself this question, “What is the final use of my steel building?” The answer to this question should be your main focus as you go through the process of planning your steel building project.

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The Sustainability Benefits of Steel

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Steel has demonstrated its ability to be a sustainable construction material. The dictionary defines something sustainable as one which endures or keeps going continuously. Steel does not lose its properties even after recycling. You will be amazed to know that the sustainable benefits of steel are realized in every aspect of a steel building’s lifetime.

The inherent characteristics of steel that make it sustainable include:
1. Low waste material
2. Flexible
3. Offsite manufacture
4. Speed in construction
5. Resource efficiency
6. Adaptable
7. Long lasting appeal
8. Safe
9. Reusable
10. Recyclable

The use of steel in construction is fast and safe. The reduced construction time translates to lower costs, quicker return on investments, and less disruption to the lives of the local folks. Steel offers no unpleasant surprises because of its predictability. The components of the metal structure are manufactured in a safe, factory environment and delivered to the construction site on an agreed time.

What’s more, the limited waste material during construction can be easily returned to the steel supply chain to be recycled. Steel is also lighter when compared to wood and has a high strength to weight ratio.

After construction, a steel building offers an environment that is light, open, airy, and adaptable. Your steel building will not deteriorate and decay. Instead, it will mature gracefully with age. The long clear spans of a steel building’ allow for easy modifications. Expanding an old steel building is also not a problem because steel frames can be easily adapted and reconfigured, breathing new life into it.

Now you may ask, what happens to steel at the end of life? Does it still retain its sustainable benefits? Yes, of course. Metal buildings are reusable as a whole or in parts. A whole steel building can be dismantled and re-erected somewhere else. Individual parts can be reused, as well. If these two options are not realized, the steel can be recycled and used in another construction elsewhere.

Steel is not the only construction material that is recycled. What makes it different from all the rest is that it can be recycled over and over again without losing its performance and inherent properties. This is referred to as indefinite recycling or multicycling. Steel will always have a value and none of it will ever be disposed of intentionally to a landfill.

Indeed, the sustainability benefits of steel make your steel building a very valuable investment, from its construction to its demolition.

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Steel Building Auto Repair Shops

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Choosing steel for building your auto repair shop is not only a wise investment but is also a very easy process. Your battle plan should consist of thorough research, in-depth planning, and detailed designing, before you order your steel buildings. In the end, you are assured of a fulfilling experience and getting the most out of your investment.

Steel building auto repair shops have gained popularity because they involve uncomplicated planning, designing, and construction.

Planning and Designing

Basically, keep in mind the following before building you auto repair shop:

Budget

The process begins with your decision as to how much you want to invest in your steel building project. Bear in mind that it is wiser to use a more expensive quality of steel rather than choose the cheaper one. High quality steel has been proven to be durable and has a longer lifespan than other construction materials. Remember that the durability of your auto repair shop is of primary importance because it will house expensive cars and equipment.

Design

Your steel building is to be used as an auto repair shop – this should be the main focus of your building’s design. During this phase, you need to specify the size and shape of your building and the types of roof and interior walls that you want to be placed.

For auto shops, the best option is to use a steel arch building because it has a clear span design, allowing for maximum space since it does not use posts, trusses, and beams. You can have as much space as possible for your cars and equipment. In addition, expansion is not a problem in the future. Arch style steel buildings are easily expandable because of their double panel construction.

Engineering

Upon completion of the basic design, a steel building engineer will create the specifications and blue prints of your future auto repair shop. The blueprints will identify the specific materials to be used and the loads the steel building is designed to withstand, to meet local building codes.

Building Codes

As stated above, after undergoing the planning and designing stages, you now have the specifications and blueprints of the steel building. At this stage, it is vital that you get in touch with your local building officials before you sign the contract. In order to avoid additional costs due to late surcharges, verify that the contract includes all the right specifications based on your design.

Delivery

The supplier will commence production of your steel building based on your blueprints and after the contract has been signed. All the parts are manufactured at the steel building factory, and then transported to your construction site. The parts are pre-cut based on the exact specifications. They are also pre-drilled – ready to be bolted together.

Avoid Changes

Before affixing your signature to the contract, make sure that the supplier fully understands the final use of your steel building, which is to house an auto repair shop. Pay close attention to details. Don’t be ashamed to ask a lot of questions and anticipate all possible problems. This way, changes, if any, will be kept to a bare minimum.

Construction

Now we’ve come to the best part where you will appreciate all the hard work that you’ve put in – you can now see your steel building erected right before your eyes. When you’re all set and all the parts have been delivered to the construction site, it’s time to build. Your pre engineered steel building kit comes with pictures and detailed instructions – making the construction phase fast and easy for you.

Build the Arches

First, assemble the arches on the ground. After this stage, congratulate yourself because 70% of all the work is done.

Raise the Arches

In most cases, raising the arches does not require the use of heavy equipment. If you purchase your steel building kit from a reputable supplier, the arches are precision-made to perfectly fit and overlap to allow for easy, fast, and accurate assembly.

Add the End Walls

Pre-engineered steel buildings kit are pre-punched, pre-drilled, and pre-welded at the factory so installing the end walls will not pose any problem.

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Commercial Steel Buildings for Businesses

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Commercial steel buildings need to combine elements of quality and economy and steel provides exactly this – high quality buildings at a very reasonable price. With steel, you will never have to compromise in the quality even with a limited budget. If you have a higher budget, commercial steel buildings can include a number of additional features to make your building special.

An important aspect of commercial metal buildings is they need to be custom-built because different businesses and industries have vastly different needs. Quality is of course very important to maintain the right branding and name in the business and welcome clients and customers alike. Steel commercial buildings provide high quality customization options – you can specify exactly what kind of building you want, right to the minutest details like type and size of windows. This helps businesses prepare a building exactly suited to their needs instead of compromising.

A business also needs to ensure that the building doesn’t take a long time to build because each day lost to construction can potentially be equivalent to losing a lot of money. The business needs to ensure a smooth transition from the old to the new building. Therefore it is highly desirable that the commercial building be completed as soon as possible. Steel provides just the right solution – using prefabricated structures, you can have a high degree of customization and quality and still have the building completed within a month or two.

Commercial Steel buildings also offer easy modifications later on like adding new office space as the business grows. It also helps save money on maintenance costs because steel is strong and durable and can easily last a decade without a single incident. Such flexibility and high quality construction at the most affordable prices can only be guaranteed by steel buildings and every business owner should consider this option seriously.

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Should You get Insulation for your Steel Building?

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Many new steel building owners are confused about whether to get an insulation done to their building or not. Insulation seems like a good option but it can be quite costly. Therefore people need to understand the pros and cons of insulation before proceeding with a decision.

Steel buildings, made of steel, are good conductors of heat because steel is a good conductor. This means the steel building will heat up quite a lot during the summers and become cold during the winters more than traditional buildings. This needs to be reversed. If you are using a heating and air conditioning unit in your building, then it will involve higher operating costs without insulation because of the higher energy expenditure required. Therefore in a period of a couple of decades at least, which is the average life of a steel building, this extra cost can add up to a significant amount. On the other hand, if you use insulation, then the building can remain like any traditional building and the insulation prevents the building from getting rapidly hot in the summer and rapidly cold in the winters. Also, the insulation traps the heat inside the house during the winters and prevents heat from entering the house during summers.

Thus insulation is an excellent option to consider. From the cost aspect, you will need to shell out some money for it. Therefore before you decide on whether to opt for insulation or not, first think of what the purpose of the building is. Do you need it to be temperature regulated? If the building can simply be left to nature without any need of heating or cooling, then insulation may not be required. If you are building a home for yourself, then insulation is strongly advised. If your budget permits it, as a general rule, always go for insulation for your steel building.

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