August – 2010 – Steel Buildings

Archive for August, 2010

Roll-Down Hurricane Shutters for Steel Buildings

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

The best kinds of storm shutters are those that offer the greatest protection for steel buildings. The choice of shutters depends on individual preferences and circumstances. For the elderly or disabled, they can choose shutters that are pre-installed with motorized closing mechanism.

Roll-down shutters are pre-installed and housed in a box above each window or door when not in use. A roll-down shutter consists of a series of slats that form a curtain and are the easiest to operate. When the shutters are deployed, they roll down along a set of tracks or guide rails placed on both sides of the framed opening of steel buildings, and then locked in place.

So far, roll-down hurricane shutters are the most expensive among all popular shutter systems specially those that are motorized. Added benefits of these types of shutters are protection from direct sunlight, and property loss or damage due to criminal entry.

Roll-down shutters can be manually operated, motorized independently or motorized with a manual override. Motorized roll-down shutters can be operated individually or in groups, with a flick of a switch or with a push-button or even by remote control. Manually operated roll-down shutters make use of gears or pull straps.

The problem with motorized roll-down shutters is their operation during power outages. They must either have a battery back-up system or equipped with a pre-installed manual override. Inoperable motorized roll-down shutters have caused egress issues during fires.

Roll-down shutters are also available for large windows and doors of steel buildings. However, they require reinforcing rods that are inserted after deployment to insure maximum protection from the damages caused by hurricanes.

Tags: hurricane shutters, Roll-down shutters, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »

Accordion and Colonial Hurricane Shutters for Steel Buildings

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Still on the subject of shutters for steel buildings, there are other types of hurricane coverings used as protection from damages caused by driving rain and strong winds. Other hurricane shutters are accordion-type, colonial, roll down, glass, fabric, and plywood. This post talks about accordion and colonial shutters.

Accordion shutters are made from connected vertical blades that slide into place on a horizontal track. They are operated, by pulling the left and right shutter toward the center of the track or for a one-piece shutter, toward the other side of the track. Then the curtains are fastened together and locked.

If the need arises, accordion shutters can easily made storm-ready even by one person. When not in use, they are housed beside the windows or doors of steel buildings, making them ideal for structures with limited space. However, they may look bulky and may not complement the look of steel buildings.

Some owners of steel buildings prefer models of accordion shutters that can be locked with a key because they also function as theft deterrents. However, since these shutters are equipped with wheels for easy gliding on tracks, some inferior accordion shutters may break easily.

Another type of hurricane shutters for steel buildings are the colonial shutters. Similar to wooden shutters but are made of aluminum, they are attached to both sides of the window. They can easily be made storm-ready by folding them together and locked, even by one person.

Colonial shutters provide protection to windows and enhances the look of steel buildings. Since they are permanently attached, they don’t require additional storage space. Aside from protecting windows, they also provide privacy and light control when closed. However, colonial shutters can’t be used to protect doors of steel buildings.

Tags: Accordion shutters, Colonial shutters, hurricane shutters, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | 1 Comment »

Storm Panels Hurricane Shutters for Steel Buildings II

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Storm panels protect the interiors of steel buildings from violent wind, driving rain, and wind-borne missiles. Before a hurricane, the panels need to be securely attached to the tracks or directly mounted to the walls.

There are several ways storm panels can be mounted to your steel buildings:
· Standard mounting with top header and bottom stud angle
· Direct mounting to walls without vertical and horizontal tracks
· Using F-tracks with slide bolts instead of stud angles
· Vertical or horizontal mounting for blocked framed openings
· Can be equipped with escape panel for entry/exit

Typically, storm panels are mounted vertically. This requires that the door or window has a recessed opening with a flat area that has no obstacles. The track types used are either an H-header and studded angle or F-track at the top and studded angle or adjustable F-track at the bottom.

If a door or window is blocked or there is no flat surface in the surrounding wall, a U-header, attached to the ceiling, is used instead of the wall mounted H-header. Should there be moldings or obstacles that may not allow the panels to lay flat against the opening, build-out tracks can be used.

In case there is enough wall clearance, direct mounting can be used. Direct mount storm panels are attached directly to the wall without track by using anchors and stainless steel bolts.

Storm panels can also be installed horizontally. This method is usually preferred when there is an obstacle at the bottom of a window or door of a steel building, like a protruding sill. The track type used consists of a pair of studded angle or adjustable F-track. The U-header and H-header track types are not applicable to the horizontal method. Directly mounting the storm panels horizontally is a feasible option.

Tags: hurricane shutters, steel buildings, Storm panels
Posted in Steel Buildings | 14 Comments »

Storm Panels Hurricane Shutters for Steel Buildings I

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Shutters are the first line of defense against hurricanes. Doors and windows of steel buildings, especially those with considerable glass in them, should be shuttered and reinforced to protect them from strong winds and wind-borne debris.

The last post talked about Bahama shutters. This time, let’s talk about storm panel shutters.

Storm panel shutters are made of either aluminum or steel and are touted as the most cost effective means of protection against storms. They are removable and can be stored away when not in use.

Storm panel shutters are corrugated, and each aluminum panel overlaps the next one for maximum protection. They interlock in approximately 13-inch increments. These shutters attach to the walls around windows and doors on bolts or tracks.

These shutters can be installed easily. Since they are removable, they do not alter the appearance of the steel building when not in use. They are available in unlimited widths, and the height can go as high as 12 feet.

Unfortunately, storm panel shutters have some disadvantages:
· They are not attractive.
· They require storage when not in use.
· It is very time consuming to put them up and take them down.
· For steel buildings and steel-framed residences that are multi-story, an extension ladder is needed during installation.
· They can only be operated from the outside.
· They require that existing obstructions in the framed openings of steel buildings be removed prior to installation.
· They can be difficult to handle and typically requires more than one person to do the installation and dismantling.

Tags: hurricane shutters, steel buildings, Storm panels
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »

Bahama Shutters for Steel Buildings

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Shutters are excellent investments for people living in coastal counties and in other hurricane prone areas. These accessories are not only meant to protect windows and doors, but also precious possessions and the people inside the building.

During the onslaught of a hurricane, windows and doors need protection not just from strong winds and heavy rain, but most importantly, from flying debris. For steel building owners, there are various types of shutters to choose from. Let us talk about Bahama shutters first.

Bahama shutters have been a favorite in hurricane prone areas in the 50’s and 60’s. Their existence up to now is a testament of their versatility and effectiveness. These shutters are easy to install and function as shade when not deployed.

Today’s modern Bahama shutters are made from aluminum. The panels are permanently mounted above each framed opening on a desired angle, typically 45 degrees. The design allows building owners to see through a perforated aluminum panel mounted between the aluminum horizontal slats.

Bahama shutters are extremely popular they are architecturally pleasing because they enhance the appearance of steel buildings. They are easy to install and operate from the inside or outside of any home or office.

Bahama shutters offer convenient light, sound, and ventilation control on a daily basis. They also provide increased security and privacy. The support arms that control the angle of opening are adjustable up to 60 degrees or bigger.

Bahama shutters are considered when ease of installation and operation is important. They can be included during the design or construction phase. The good news is, installing them on existing steel buildings will not be a problem.

Tags: bahama shutters, hurricane shutters, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | 1 Comment »

Steel Office Buildings

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Pre engineered steel buildings used as offices are no different from other metal structures. They are easy to construct, durable, and low maintenance. Since they are occupied most of the day, they must be designed to have environments conducive to working.

That’s why choosing the design of the steel building is of utmost importance. Special attention must be given to the interiors – finishes, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and others.

Pre-engineered steel buildings allow for clear-span column-free interiors, providing for spacious working areas. This creates a positive working environment that ensures employee satisfaction and improved performance.

Pre-engineered steel buildings are also energy-efficient. There are various accessories available that provide a controlled and comfortable office atmosphere by making the metal structure compatible with the local environment.

Insulation will effectively control the temperature inside a pre-engineered steel building office. During hot summer months, a properly installed insulation prevents heat from transferring into the building. During wintertime, insulation keeps the interiors warm.

Insulation reduces the need for heating and air-conditioning, lowering electricity costs. Another solution to reduce energy consumption is the use of reinforced translucent skylights. Installing skylights brighten up the building’s interiors, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Pre-engineered steel buildings are also very flexible. With their column-free design, they allow for any floor plan imaginable, maximizing office space, storage, and production, all at once.

Blending with other structures in the locality is not a problem with pre-engineered steel buildings. The exteriors of steel office buildings can be made of brick, stucco, or wood, to make them acquire the same aesthetic appeal as other traditionally constructed buildings.

Apart from these advantages, steel buildings are also low maintenance. They are resistant to corrosion and deterioration. They do not warp even if exposed to extreme weather conditions. Choosing to build with steel is one way of saving the environment because unlike other building materials, steel is recyclable.

Tags: office buildings, Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, steel buildings
Posted in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, Steel Buildings | 1 Comment »

Canopies and Roof Extensions for Steel Buildings

Monday, August 9th, 2010

For a small additional cost, many owners of steel buildings prefer to put canopies and roof extensions because they increase the appearance and performance of their metal structures. Canopies and roof extensions are primarily used to keep sun, rain, and snow off the steel building walls. Also, they provide cover for doors and walkways.

A canopy creates an overhang on the sidewall while a roof extension creates an overhang on the end wall. Both ensure that steel buildings will last longer because these additions will reduce the chances of water build-up, which may cause corrugation of the metal structures.

Constructing a roof extension involves attaching an additional section of roofing to the existing roof at the same level. Then, the walls are added to the slight slope from the roof, giving it additional support.

The benefits of canopies and roof extensions for steel buildings are:

· Provide shade and shelter – Placing overhangs over doorways offer shade from the heat of the sun and shelter from rain or snow. This is very important for steel buildings that are used for business and commercial establishments where a lot of people, employees and customers alike, are expected to come and go.

· Improve appearance – Canopies and roof extensions are typically used for churches, strip-malls, and residences where style and appearance are very important. These extensions also help a steel building merge in better, in an environment where conventionally constructed structures are abundant.

· Control Runoff – Canopies and roof extensions help control runoff by keeping rain and snow further away from the walls and doorways of steel buildings especially for those with no gutters.

· Provide additional storage space – A roof extension can actually add more storage space because it increases the ceiling height of a steel building.

Tags: Canopies, Roof extensions, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »

Types of Bracing for Steel Buildings

Friday, August 6th, 2010

All buildings are subjected to constant stress from forces like compression, tension, shear, torsion, and lift. Steel buildings can be designed to use different types of bracing to counteract this pressure.

Flange Bracing –This is the standard bracing for steel buildings. Flange bracing is made up of structural angles that are connected between the rafters and the purlins, to prevent the rafters from rolling from side to side.

Diaphragm Bracing – This is made possible through the roof and wall panelling. The idea is, when the panels are attached to the steel frame, they act like a membrane or “diaphragm” that is stretched over the building, pulling it together.

For steel frame buildings that are below 60 feet wide, the diaphragm bracing is sufficient. However, when high winds, heavy snow loads or lift caused by large number of framed openings and for steel buildings beyond 60 feet, additional bracing must be in place.

X Bracing – The reinforcement comes from placing steel rods or cables that tightly connect various parts of the steel frame. This makes the buildings more rigid to be able it to withstand high winds and heavy snow.

Weak Axis Bending – This type of bracing is typically used for steel buildings that require heavy loads on the columns. The bracing is achieved by increasing the size of the steel frame base plates to prevent the columns from moving under heavy stress.

Wind Column – Basically, a wind column is an “I” beam that is bolted to the steel frame and the foundation to provide added strength and rigidity. It is used when weak axis bending is not enough to secure the columns or when x bracing causes an interference with framed openings.

Portal Frame – Also called wind-bent column, a portal frame is only used when really necessary. Consisting of two portal columns and a portal rafter, a portal frame is a sub-frame that is placed between two adjacent main-frame columns in a bay. Since this is a very expensive solution for steel buildings, portal frames are only used in extreme cases.

Tags: Bracing for steel buildings, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Frame Buildings | 5 Comments »

Steel Frame Buildings

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Steel frame buildings are durable and strong, providing the most basic functions of any building – protecting the occupants and properties inside. So far, this is the most common type of construction for steel buildings.

With a “skeleton” frame made up of vertical columns and horizontal I-beams, the steel frame, also called rigid frame, is actually a construction technique that paved the way for the construction of today’s skyscrapers.

These vertical columns and horizontal I-beams are constructed into a rectangular grid that acts as support for the floors, roof, and walls which are attached to the skeleton frame. The I-beam is so named because its profile resembles the capital letter “I”.

Made up of four sections – two roof sections and two wall sections, the steel main frame truss acts as the central support of the metal structure. Construction starts by assembling the components on the ground. Then the steel frame “I” beam truss is raised and bolted to the concrete foundation. The trusses of a steel building are typically spaced 20-30 feet or 6-10 meters apart.

In between each steel main frame I-beam truss, girts and purlins are attached after every 3-6 feet, running up the walls and roof horizontally.

After erecting the trusses and attaching the girts, and purlins, the steel building’s insulation is installed. Next, the steel panels for the roof and walls are attached. Finally, the doors and windows are done.

The main advantages of steel frame buildings are:

Rapid erection and assembly
Allows for clear-span interiors
Can accommodate higher snow load requirements
Does not require a slab floor
Readily available

Tags: I-beams, steel buildings, Steel Frame Buildings, Steel frame truss
Posted in Steel Frame Buildings | 1 Comment »

PBR Panels for Your Steel Building

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

When it comes to cost savings, a steel building is the most economical building choice you can make. Although steel is a lightweight material, a steel building is stronger and more resilient than any other construction.

One of the advantages of steel building systems is their fast and easy construction. In fact, it has been found that erecting a steel building takes only one third of the time it takes to build a structure of the same size but using other conventional materials.

One of the major components of a typical steel building system are the PBR panels. PBR stands for purlin bearing rib. Purlins are the horizontal components of a roof structure used to support and attach roof panels.

PBR panels have deep major ribs (1-1/4”) that create an even-shadowed appearance. The area between two major ribs is reinforced with minor ribs for added strength and stability.

Each PBR panel comes in a standard 36” width and can be as long as 45’. They come in gauges 22, 24, 26, and 29. These panels can be used for roof, walls, liner, mansard and soffit panel. PBR panels are one of the most economical wall covering systems available.

PBR panels provide a full overlap between panels, preventing water leaks during storms, when heavy rains are accompanied by strong winds that force water against the overlaps. They are designed to maximize the potential of your steel buildings, specifically the steel frame. They are easy to install and they enhance the appearance of the metal structure.

Tags: PBR panels, steel buildings
Posted in Steel Buildings | No Comments »