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Archive for July, 2010

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Environmentally Friendly Steel Buildings

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Steel buildings are environment-friendly because steel is one of the most recycled materials in the word. In fact, steel is 100% recyclable, with the rate to which it can be recycled going as high as 60%.

Choosing to build with steel against the other traditional way of using wood has a very positive effect on the environment if we think of the global concern for our diminishing forest cover. Considering that steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and carbon, it has been predicted that the earth’s iron ore resources will last 7 million years more. In contrast, renewing our forests is not an easy task since we know for a fact that it takes at least 10 years for a tree to be full-grown.

In 2008, more than 97% of structural steel was recycled. Recycling has been done by the steel industry for more than 150 years now, since it is more economically advantageous to do so. The energy needed to produce 1 ton of steel from scrap is only a fifth of that used to mine iron ore and produce new steel.

From the lifecycle point of view, steel is the only material on earth that has a closed material loop because it can be recycled to the same product over and over again without losing its inherent physical properties – retaining its quality and function as before.

(to be continued)

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Energy Efficient Steel Buildings

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

“Go green” is a common slogan that we see in almost every aspect of our daily lives. According to a report presented by Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management, the energy problem has become a global concern as many governments and private organizations have spearheaded green projects to reduce carbon emissions, search for alternative sources of energy, and create more awareness on saving energy or curbing carbon emissions.

A major source of energy comes from energy actually saved. One unit of power saved at home or in the workplace is already equivalent to three units of power not generated in the power plant. This is good news for owners of steel buildings.

One of the major advantages of steel buildings is that they are energy efficient. For this reason, their owners might not realize it, but they are already doing their share in saving energy and protecting the environment.

How is that possible? First, the current crop of steel manufacturers contribute to energy savings by employing modern technologies in steel production that help reduce greenhouse emissions.

In addition, prefabricated steel buildings can be made thermally efficient by installing the proper insulation system and material which lessens the need for cooling and heating equipments that require a lot of energy to function.

Also, the steel used in steel buildings are coated with siliconized polyester paints that reflects the sun’s rays, keeping the interiors cool during hot summer days, lessening the need for airconditioning.

In addition, the painted metal roof of steel buildings retains the heat inside the building on colder days. Thus, reducing energy consumption by reducing the need for heating equipments.

In the long run, the energy efficiency of your steel building not only saves you money, but it also saves the environment, as well.

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Building Codes and Your Steel Building

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Time and time again, buyers have been reminded to check on the appropriate building codes of their areas during the initial stages of their steel building projects. What are building codes, anyway?

In general, building codes are intended for the use of architects and engineers in the design and manufacture of buildings and other structures. If enacted by the appropriate authority, building codes become law of a particular jurisdiction.

The online encyclopedia defines building codes as a collection of rules and regulations adopted by authorities having appropriate jurisdiction to control the design and construction of buildings, alteration, repair, quality of materials, use and occupancy, and related factors of buildings within their jurisdiction; contains minimum architectural, structural, and mechanical standards for sanitation, public health, welfare, safety, and the provision of light and air.

In short, they specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and non-building structures.

Building codes generally include:

· Rules regarding parking and traffic impact
· Fire code rules to ensure safe evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire
· Requirements for resistance to natural calamities such as earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, and tsunami, especially in disaster prone areas or for very large buildings where a failure would be catastrophic
· Drainage, green space, and fence-building rules
· Requirements for specific building uses (for example, storage of flammable and hazardous substances, or housing a large number of people)
· Grandfathering provisions: Unless the building is being renovated, the building code usually does not apply to existing buildings.
· Specifications on components
· Allowable installation methodologies
· Minimum and maximum room and exit sizes and their location
· Qualification of individuals or corporations doing the construction work
· For high structures, anti-collision markers for the benefit of aircraft

By now you should have a clear understanding of the importance of knowing the applicable steel buildings code and what roles they play in the design of your steel building.

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Steel Building Styles II – Straight Wall

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Quonset huts are multi-purpose steel buildings that are typically used for shelter and storage. However, they have limited customizable options.

First of all, the doors and/or windows can only be placed at the end walls. There is also limited overhead clearance for certain uses. Straight wall steel buildings or rigid frames, offer more flexible solutions than Quonset huts.

Straight wall designs are more visually appealing than the traditional look offered by Quonset huts. When compared to other traditional methods of construction, straight wall steel buildings are cheaper and more durable.

There are five types of straight wall designs for steel buildings – straight column, clear span gable, clear span single slope, beam and column, and lean-to.

The straight wall column design provides a lot of open space that can go up to 70 feet in width. It is best suited for applications such as RV storage steel buildings, small retail stores, and other commercial functions.

Clear span designs are either gable-shaped or single-sloped and can be as wide as 150 feet. They also provide large open spaces that require no interior support. Typically, they are used as aircraft hangars, storage buildings for big vehicles, and athletic facilities.

For a steel building that needs to be wider than 150 feet, the beam and column design is a perfect choice. This model makes use of interior columns for even weight load distribution, reducing frame and foundation costs. The beam and column design is the best steel building option for a factory or a large warehouse.

A steel building with a lean-to or “Wing” style is designed to extend a pre-existing building without modifying it. It can even be finished using the same material as the original building, making this design suitable for all sorts of purposes.

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Posted in Steel Buildings, Steel Storage Buildings | 18 Comments »

Steel Building Styles I: Quonset Hut (continuation)

Monday, July 26th, 2010

The last post talked about three styles of Quonset huts, the “A”, “Q”, and “R” styles. Quonset huts are multi-purpose pre-engineered steel buildings that are easy to construct and transport.

This post talks about the remaining three styles, the “S”, “T”, and “X”.

“S” Style

The “S” style steel building has straight sidewalls and a clear-span arch roof. This time, the sidewalls are lower than those of the “R” style Quonset hut. This style increases sidewall clearance allowing for more storage space. Center heights may vary depending on the need.

These steel buildings are typically used for homes, cottages, lakeside dwellings, garages, warehouses, storage houses, studios, conference halls, or additional buildings to existing structures.

“T” Style

A “T” style Quonset hut is a steel structure that looks half-finished – clear span, open sided and with partial arch architecture. Looking like the upper half of the letter “C”, the structural frame supports are located on the open side.

These metal structures are typically used for livestock shelters, coverage for large tractors and other equipments, service facilities for large vehicles, and coverage for walkways and sidewalks.

“X” Style

The “X” style Quonset hut provides slightly more interior room than other building styles due to its sloped walls and peaked roof. Center heights for the roof may vary according to needs.

“X” style Quonset hut steel buildings are typically used for garages, hobby shops, boat shops, automotive dealerships, mechanic repair shops, trade shops, industrial shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, and studios.

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Posted in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, Steel Buildings, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Steel Building Styles I: Quonset Hut

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Those who prefer economical, durable, and cost-efficient construction, choose prefabricated steel buildings for their construction needs. Pre-engineered steel building kits come in various sizes and styles to accommodate every need and budget.

Basically, there are two major styles of pre-engineered steel buildings: the Quonset hut and the straight wall.

A Quonset hut is an all-purpose portable prefabricated steel building that is durable and easy to construct. These inherent characteristics of Quonset huts made them widely used by the military during World War II.

There are different styles of Quonset huts, which are described below:

“A” Style

The “A” style has a more conventional appearance, with straight sides and peaked roof. The center heights can vary depending on the needs. The length of this type of steel building is unlimited.

It is typically used as backyard garages, woodworking shops, mechanic shops, all-purpose shelters, and storage for recreational vehicles, boats, and campers.

“Q” Style

The “Q” style has the profile of a traditional Quonset hut – single radius with clear-span arch. The maximum height permitted is limited to half the span of the steel buildings.

“Q” styles are typically used for riding arenas, indoor swimming pools, swimming pool halls, sports arenas, barns, livestock storage, crop storage, equipment maintenance shops, and airplane hangars.

“R” Style

The only difference of an “R” style Quonset hut from the “Q” style, is the conventional wall design, which is straight, for sidewall support. It is a single radius metal structure with clear-span and low profile arch.

Typically, these steel buildings are used as swimming pool covers, walkway covers, hockey rinks, recycling plants, and as replacement roofs.

(to be continued)

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Posted in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, Steel Buildings | 5 Comments »

The Physical Properties of Steel ( Why Steel Buildings are Popular)

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Steel buildings are enjoying wide acceptance among consumers as evidenced by the existence of metal structures dotting our landscape. The popularity of steel buildings can be greatly attributed to the unique physical properties of the metal, steel.

Steel is made, by mixing iron and carbon in a specific ratio. Aside from carbon, other alloying materials used are manganese, phosphorous, chromium, vanadium, tungsten, etc. The percentage of these constituent materials and the manufacturing process, give steel its physical properties that set it apart from other metals.

The physical properties of steel  include great strength, low weight, durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion. It maybe hard to believe, but it is a fact that the ratio of steel’s strength to its weight is the lowest when compared to other traditional construction materials.

Steel does not corrode easily even when exposed to water and moisture. Steel retains its dimensions even after many years of being subjected to extreme weather conditions.

The steel used in steel buildings is high-grade, meaning it is strong and hard, but not brittle. Basically, the carbon content is the deciding factor in classifying the grade of steel. The higher the carbon content, the harder the metal, making it prone to fractures. High quality steel, used in steel buildings, contains less carbon but retains its strength and hardness.

The inherent qualities of steel allow manufacturers of prefabricated steel buildings to offer 30 to 50 year warranties on their metal structures. These manufacturers are willing to stand by their products for a long time because they are confident that their steel buildings will endure for many decades to come.

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Posted in Prefabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Buildings | 4 Comments »

Steel Church Buildings

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Prefabricated steel buildings have become the most popular solutions of most religious organizations for their construction needs. Parishes and congregations have a variety of goals and requirements that can change through time, and steel buildings are fully customizable to meet the needs and budget of any church.

Whether you are building a new worship facility for a growing community or expanding an existing facility, prefabricated steel buildings will not disappoint because they are designed and engineered to fit your exact specifications.

Religious communities are often weighed down with budget constraints when finding solutions to their construction needs. Prefabricated steel buildings are highly affordable and easy to build. In fact, you can save up to 50% off the cost of other conventional construction if you build with steel.

Prefabricated steel church buildings are durable and they offer unlimited design flexibility. Whatever design and size – simple or complex, small or large – steel buildings provide for a variety of floor plans and layouts to accommodate any type of worship needs.

Prefabricated steel buildings of today are designed to blend well with most construction materials, giving you a variety of style options to choose from. The church’s walls and roof exterior can be designed to include glass, stone, brick, and stucco that will surely enhance the structure’s appearance and create an atmosphere conducive to worship.

One of the advantages of prefabricated steel buildings is that you can maintain large column-free open spaces for maximum seating requirements. Cathedral ceilings and wide-open spaces allow for natural light to come in, adding to the church’s beauty and ambiance.

You can even save on operating costs because prefabricated steel church buildings are energy efficient, allowing for reduced heating and cooling costs.

With careful planning, your steel church building project will be a worthwhile experience. Just remember to choose a reputable building supplier who will work with you every step of the way, ensuring that your steel church building project will succeed.

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Determining the Design of a Pre-engineered Agricultural Steel Building

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Agricultural buildings provide storage and shelter for crops, livestock, and equipment. Most of the agricultural buildings of today are made of steel due to its durability, reliability, cost effectiveness, low maintenance, and flexibility, when compared to other traditional construction materials.

Pre-engineered agricultural steel buildings are very easy to construct and saves you a lot of money because of reduced construction time. Prefabricated steel buildings come in various sizes and shapes. Their designs are dictated by the needs and preferences of the owners.

If you are planning to buy a pre-engineered agricultural steel building, here is a basic guide to help match your needs to the steel building’s design:

1. The first step in a successful steel building project is to decide what you want the metal structure to do for you. Actually, all building construction projects must start with this step.

Will you use steel buildings as a hay storage barn? Is it an animal shelter, a farrowing house or will it be used as a storage shed for your farm equipments?

2. To determine its size – length, width, and height – decide on the capacity of the metal structure. If it is a farrowing house, the size should be appropriate to provide shelter for the number of sows in the herd and the number of farrowings planned on a regular basis.

How much feeds and crops do you plan to store? How many farm equipments do you need to shelter?

3. Determine your agricultural steel building’s special requirements. For example, the metal structure may require a special size of door for easy movement of farm equipments. Or, it may require insulation to make it less susceptible to condensation, which can damage your crops.

4. Will the new steel building be connected to an existing structure? Do you plan to expand the steel building in the near future? Making provisions for these requirements greatly affects the design of your agricultural steel building.

After making the design, it’s now time to select the right site and prepare it for your agricultural steel building’s construction.

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Protective Coatings for Steel Buildings

Monday, July 19th, 2010

If you look at the typical list of steel buildings feature, you will definitely find galvanized girts, purlins, and C-sections. What does galvanized mean? Why is it important for these components to be galvanized?

Galvanization is the process of alloying steel with another metal, zinc, to protect it from corrosion. To put it plainly, steel is coated with zinc, which acts as a rust-resistant barrier. Actually, the zinc does not just coat the steel; it actually becomes part of it, permanently.

The coating formed is an alloy between the iron in steel and zinc, which makes it extremely resistant to mechanical damage.
The zinc coating reacts with the gases in the atmosphere as well as with the water vapor in the air, to form a thin solid, resistant, and water-proof layer of zinc carbonate. This impermeable layer adheres extremely well to the underlying zinc coating, preventing further corrosion to occur.

In other words, zinc takes the full brunt of the oxidation that is likely to occur when steel is exposed to corrosive environments. Zinc acts as the sacrificial anode to save the steel.

Galvanized steel has demonstrated to be an ideal construction material for structures that are expected to stand for many years. Because of its water and salt repellent characteristics, galvanized steel is often used in the construction of aircraft carriers and submarines.

Aside from providing superior protection against rust, zinc galvanizing also allows for stronger paint adhesion. A painted galvanized steel building have a much more longer life because paints provide added protection against corrosion.

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