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Snow Retention Systems for Steel Buildings

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Why do we need to protect steel buildings from snow? Snow can accumulate on roofs of steel buildings and eventually avalanche to the surface below. The falling snow or ice can damage property, plants, and even people. To prevent snow avalanch, snow guards are installed in rows or multiples on roof surfaces to increase friction and improve snow retention.

 
So how do snow guards for steel buildings work? The accumulated snow and ice are stopped or slowed by the snow guard before they avalanche. Either they completely melt on the roof before falling, fall down more slowly instead of in chunks, or are sliced into smaller pieces so they fall safely.
Snow guards used to be traditionally made out of metal but metal tends to get brittle and break in the cold. Additionally, non compatible metal guards would also tend to cause erosion of the metal finish of the roof they were installed in due to rainwater. Because of this, transparent polycarbonate snow guards were invented.

 
Polycarbonate or plastic snow guards do not rust, are always compatible with metal roofs, and because of their transparency, do not alter the appearance of metal roofs. Plastic snow guards should be made from a virgin grade, UV stabilized, prime polycarbonate material with an adequate brittleness temperature.

 
With all that said, it is important to note that not one snow retention systems will work with all types of roofs. The type of metal roofing, seam height, and the snow guard’s mounting system should all be accounted for in choosing a snow retention system. The dimensions of the snow guard and the shape of its face should also be considered to ensure compatibility with the steel buildings’ roof as its height and face shape determine the amount of snow and ice it can hold back.

 
Furthermore, proper spacing of the snow guards is also important. Lastly, the snow load in the steel building’s locality should also be considered. This value can be calculated or obtained from the local zoning office or county building inspector, and even local building supply stores and lumber yards.
No, you might ask, “Can snow guard installation be a do-it-yourself project?” Yes it can. There are instructions on manufacturers’ websites for snow guard installations. However, it is always recommended to have an experienced professional do the work as roof installations can be tricky and dangerous. Like with all construction projects, it is better to invest in the best than be sorry later.

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No Unwanted House Guests With Steel Buildings

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

There is no doubt that a house is a major investment. Aside from making it more resistant against the forces of nature, it also needs defence against insect infestation. For residents who want the best protection against destructive insects, the number one choice for construction material is steel.

 

Insect infestation causes serious structural damage to wood-based homes. For example, a couple of days ago, there was a news about a couple from Utah, who were shocked to find out that there was a colony of more than 50,000 bees living inside their bedroom walls. This is not something new because there have been reports of similar discoveries every now and then.

 

Years back, a couple in Toronto only found out that they were not the only ones living in their 1 ½-story house when honey started oozing through a crack in the ceiling. In fact, 80,000 bees were found nestling in two colonies in their first-floor ceiling.

 

Another serious concern for owners of wood-based homes is termite infestation. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), damage caused by termites is estimated to cost Americans $5 billion annually. Termite control and treatment require special skills, materials and equipment and are best left to professionals. It is estimated that termite maintenance could cost between $500- $3,000 annually. So if you want a wood for your house, be sure to include this in your budget for maintenance.

 

Aside from the fact that steel buildings or steel framed buildings prevent and reduce future occurrence of termite and vermin problems, they also offer a lot more benefits than wood-based structures starting with the lower cost of ownership.

 

Steel buildings are not only affordable; owners are also assured of lower construction costs, lower insurance premiums and lower maintenance costs. Steel, as a construction material, is highly durable so there is a lesser chance for replacement of materials once the structure is built.

 

Steel buildings come in different styles to suit various needs. But some people find that steel framed buildings are more suitable for homes because they offer greater flexibility in design. Popular architectural finishes for interior and exterior walls are now compatible with steel framing.

 

Needless to say, customers now have a better choice for construction solutions that offer durability, functionality and affordability with steel buildings and steel framed buildings.

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Why You Need Steel In Your Community

Monday, May 13th, 2013

America hasn’t even started getting over the Boston Marathon incident, and here comes another tragedy yet again – and on Mother’s Day, at that.  No wonder, though, since anyone plotting such malevolent deeds cannot be thought to care.  After all, the obvious idea was to harm the innocent, including women and children.

 

Nineteen people were reportedly injured including two ten year olds, when shots were randomly fired at a Mother’s Day parade in New Orleans.  Gunfire erupted a few minutes before 2 p.m. local time.  Luckily, there were no recorded fatalities. Unfortunately, no arrests have been made, although officers are looking into three suspects.  One was said to be dark-skinned, no more than 22 years old in appearance – another similarity to the Boston incident, where one of the bombers was a mere teenager.  It is a sad thought that, nowadays, crimes this hideous are being done by such young individuals.

 

This shooting incident is not the first in New Orleans this year.  And that’s obviously not a good thing, considering the last one happened only in February, during Mardi Gras celebrations.  Hence, residents of the area are growing very concerned about their safety.  Other than to spread panic and disrupt order, what could be the motive of such acts?  The New Orleans Police Department are now neck-deep in work trying to figure these things out.  Hopefully, they will be able to put those responsible behind bars and fast.

 

Meanwhile, when violence gets too close to home, you have to be more proactive in terms of protecting yourself, your property, and most of all your family.  Not all communities are prepared for such attacks, but security is every homeowner’s responsibility.  There is obviously no way you can rest assured while you feel you are in an unsafe neighborhood.

 

Good thing that, today, there is a myriad of materials to help you secure your family and your property.  Steel buildings are the number on the list.  Steel is the unmatched material for buildings in terms of durability, economy, and security.  In fact, steel buildings are so tough that, combined with the right materials and accessories, they can be both fireproof and bulletproof.  Back in the day, bullet-proof materials were only used for industrial and military steel buildings.  Today, even homes employ these technologies because you can never do too much when it comes to security – and steel buildings make this easy.

 

Safety is a choice you can make for you and all that you care about.  Ask the assistance of your local supplier to know how you can best secure what you value the most.

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Schools Should Be Steel

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

A few months after the tragedy, Newtown has not quite moved on yet.  The fate of the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut has been under debate during the past weeks and many tears are still being shed over the matter.  Task force Newtown, a 28-person board of elected officials, has unanimously decided to finally tear down the school and build a new one on the same lot.

 

Now, it really is hard to forget how a gunman killed 26 people in the buildings, 20 of which are children, back in December 2012.  The incident in Newtown is easily one of the worst school massacres in the history of the United States.

 

The decision is still subject to the approval of the school board and the residents. The board’s decision has been facing raps since it was declared.  Since the December 14 shootings, the school has been closed and the remaining students have been relocated to nearby Clark Hill School.

 

Some residents of the area agree that the building must be knocked down, including family members of the victims.  Still some, however, think that the building had nothing to do with the problem.  Of course, in any case, people will always have different feelings and opinions on a single matter and the task force has prepared for it.  One representative actually placed a good answer to the disagreements – the only perfect solution to the matter, where everyone would agree, was if the shooting didn’t happen at all.  Probably not only the residents of Newtown, but the whole of the United States and beyond agree.

 

After Newtown, there have been many more incidents of violence.  And the problem with such occurrences is there’s just now way of telling when and where they’re going to happen.  Everyone’s best bet is to just be prepared for the worst, and to hope for the best.

 

Steel buildings present potentially good solutions for cases where people want not only durability but maximum security.  Steel buildings are the hardest wearing buildings to date and these structures have features that no concrete building can match up to – such as the durability to withstand attacks, for example.  Steel buildings can be made bullet-proof.  Steel buildings can be constructed with wall panels, doors, and windows specifically design to withstand firepower.

 

Parents entrust their children to schools.  Therefore, they should be designed to be as safe as possible.  School owners and administrators need not think twice about maximizing the security they can offer.  No other community, family, or parent should experience what happened in Newtown ever again.

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No Fire Wild Enough For Steel Buildings

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Cooler temperatures in the region helped about 2,000 firefighters contain a wildfire that charred more than 25,000 acres of brush land in Southern California since it started Wednesday, May 1, 2013.  The “Spring Fire” reportedly affected mostly the coastal area of northwest Los Angeles.

 

Thanks to the winds literally blowing favorably, the fire was contained by as much as 75% on Sunday, and there have been only a number of small blazes here and there after the wide-spread fire.  No other serious occurrences followed since Sunday because of the continuing cool and moist air.

 

Containment lines were built around the 44-square-mile fire on the Santa Monica Mountains.  And although thousands and thousands of homes have been threatened by the said Spring Fire, only 15 homes were reported to have been actually marred.  Fortunately, no casualties were reported.  However, there were at least 13 people who suffered minor injuries, six of them were firefighters.

 

The Spring Fire is only one among the already more than 680 wildfires this year.  It actually marks an early start to the annual California fire season.  And with over 200 fires than the usual number, you can expect more fires like this to come in the next months, even weeks.

 

Wildfires are natural phenomenon caused by several factors but are often wind-driven.  The deadliest ones often happen overnight.  And just like any disaster, you can never really tell when it’s going to strike.  The best you can do is be prepared, to protect your family and your property to the best of your ability.

 

The various ways of fire-proofing steel buildings are now only too common in the California area.  But just to clarify – and probably to reiterate – fire-proof steel buildings are not the same as burn-proof steel buildings.  Fire-proofing only means increasing your chances against severe heat and flames.  By fire-proofing, you are already buying time in case you and your loved ones need to get to safe ground.

 

The tip to remember when fire-proofing steel buildings is: know your building’s weaknesses.  Weakest links are the areas or parts of your building that are potential fire hazards, such as a kitchen or pantry, for example.

 

Steel can naturally withstand heat and fire but only up to a certain extent.  Now, the easiest proven way to work around this is to apply intumescent paint on steel buildings.  This special type of coat not only retards fire, it actually also helps put out fire.  Intumescent paint can be used practically all over your steel building, but more importantly on the steel frames and the supports to amplify the building’s structural integrity.  When in doubt, you can always consult your trusted supplier to find out ways to fire-proof to your heart’s content.

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All You Need To Do Is Ask! (continuation)

Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Aside from the questions that you need to answer before you purchase your steel building, it is of utmost importance to get in touch with your local code authority and find out the applicable standards that need to be met. Here are the rest of the questions.

 

5. What is the style of my steel building?

 

Steel buildings come in standard styles that will surely suit your needs. You can check these out in the websites of steel building suppliers.  From Quonset huts to conventional-looking designs, they offer form and function to satisfy even the most demanding customer.

 

6. How many doors and windows should the building have? What are their sizes and where should they be placed?

 

Remember that doors are for easy egress and sometimes, also for ventilation. Windows allow light and air to come in. The types and number of doors and windows greatly depend on the purpose of the building and sometimes, the size of your budget.

 

7. Do I need insulation?

 

Insulation makes steel buildings energy-efficient and is the major reason for their popularity. If you want to maintain comfortable interiors, then you need insulation. Once again, the final use of the building should tell you whether you need insulation or not. For example, insulation is crucial for steel buildings used as commercial establishments, residences, wineries and offices, among others.

 

8. How should my steel building’s exteriors look like?

 

Steel buildings now come in a wide variety of colors. What’s more, they are also compatible with popular architectural exterior finishes giving you a lot of design options. Steel buildings come in different styles. You can

 

9. What other accessories should I get?

 

If you want a nice and clean appearance for your steel building, you need to buy added accessories such as trims, gutters and downspouts.

 

What’s exciting for customers nowadays is the availability of technology that allows them to design their steel buildings online and in real time. From the design, color, and accessories, they can choose from the different options and play with them until they find the combination that suits their tastes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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All You Need To Do Is Ask!

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

So, you’re one of the converts of prefabricated steel buildings. But before you purchase your first steel building, you need to sit down and make some sort of a checklist. This step is essential to the success of your steel building project. Actually, It all boils down to answering some basic questions and your responses are sure to save you a lot of headaches later.

 

1. What is the final use of my steel building?

 

Make sure it fits! This step lets you define the purpose of your steel building. You can either buy a standard kit – the one, which you think will more or less fit your needs. After all, there are lots of steel building kits available online. Or you can try to go the other way around – have a steel building customized to fit your exact needs.

 

Today’s steel buildings are highly customizable and therefore, very versatile. They can be designed to fit any construction need, allowing them to be built as storage areas, schools, churches, garages, workshops, supermarkets, offices, retail stores, aircraft hangars, agricultural structures, etc. Your needs are specific and you can be are certain that these needs will be met by steel buildings.

 

2. What size is my steel building going to be?

 

Of course, the size of the structure is often dictated by its purpose. For example, if it is going to be used as a garage, the size of the vehicle or the number of vehicles to be stored should be considered. If it is going to be used as a horse barn, the number of horses you plan to maintain will more or less give you an idea of its size.

 

3. How tall is my steel building?

 

Aside from the length and width, the final purpose of the steel building again rules the height of the structure. Nothing would be worst than finding out that your RV is too tall to fit inside your steel building.

 

4. What is the roof pitch?

 

Simply put, the roof pitch is the amount of the vertical run for every 12 units of horizontal run. Whether you choose a high or low roof pitch, remember that it will make a great impact on the size of your steel building, its look, its performance and lastly, its cost.

 

(continued)

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Steel Offers The Best Solution!

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Last year, Superstorm Sandy’s record storm surge caused severe flooding that it crippled New York City’s subway system. To prevent this from happening again, city officials conceived the idea of building a wall to keep out rushing seawater. They turned to the only material, which will surely do the job – steel.

 

With winds at 90 miles per hour, the storm surge was approximately 14 feet above Mean Low Water flooding many subway tunnels and damaging electrical equipment and train tracks. As a result, thousands of people could not get to their jobs or to schools.

 

Costing $38 million and scheduled to be completed on May 1, the city’s Metropolitan Transit Authority project consisted of a two-mile long wall of steel to protect a stretch of New York City’s A subway. This section of the train system has not been used since Hurricane Sandy damaged it.

 

The steel used is not only thick; it has also been designed to withstand erosion from salt water. Measuring 37 feet, each section of the wall is buried 30 feet below the ground and the remaining 7 feet protrudes above the tracks, which experts say is 2 feet above the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy.

 

This goes to show the strength of steel and why it can be relied upon for protection. No wonder, pre-engineered steel buildings are popular nowadays. More consumers are now aware of the capabilities of steel and how prefabrication can help solve their construction needs.

 

Prefabricated steel buildings are cost-efficient and predictable, providing for speedy construction and low labor and materials costs, as well as early occupancy. They can be designed for whatever purpose whether it is for storage, residential, commercial and industrial.

 

Designed and engineered using computerized technology; steel buildings are durable, structurally sound with the entire structure remaining straight and true even through extreme weather disturbances. The components used in these metal structures are made of high quality steel coated with special material to make them more resistant to corrosion. Unlike wood, steel does not warp, break, crack and is resistant to termites. That is why steel buildings offer lesser maintenance requirements than traditional construction.

 

With benefits such as these, prefabricated steel buildings will continue to be the “go to” construction solutions for consumers who want more value for their money.

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Ready for the Floods

Monday, April 29th, 2013

Six months after Superstorm Sandy devastated New Jersey, New York and the coastal areas of New England, some people are still in the midst of recovery. Town hall officials have yet to come up with specific guidelines for new construction, which would ensure that buildings offer better protection for the next storm. A viable option for new construction that is flood resistant is to go for steel buildings.

 

The consensus is that recovery is slow. Although some residents have gotten back on track rather quickly, there is still a number of those affected that have not. Some are still staying with relatives or living in hotel rooms, with some still in the thick of the fight with insurance companies.

 

Some homeowners are reluctant to start rebuilding their homes since the rules on how high they would need to rebuild their homes keep changing. Federal rules now require flood-prone buildings to be elevated.

 

Prefabricated steel buildings are highly durable structures and can be designed specifically for flood prone areas. Steel buildings are made from high quality steel and engineered using computerized design technologies to ensure structural integrity.

 

Today’s steel buildings are so versatile that they are now considered viable options for residential construction. Steel is compatible with a large number of construction materials allowing these metal structures to be indistinguishable with traditional construction with interior and exterior finishes such as siding, stone, brick, wood, and glass.

 

Steel buildings that are designed for flood resistance have continuous steel framing so that they are better able to survive loss of wall panels and footings. To conform to new building codes, steel buildings may be built with the lower floor level suspended on legs. During floods or storm surges, the rushing water would go under and around the building and not push the walls.

 

In addition to the steel main frame designed to resist substantial loads, all the elements – frame, columns, joists, purlins – are all bolted together perfectly and continuously for greater strength and durability. The flooring is made from concrete poured into steel decking to ensure durability and prevent it from being dislodged by the rushing waters.

 

As for the orientation, the building should have a narrow front and is built out of the usual water path. Also, make sure that there is a gap between buildings where the water can pass.

 

With flood-resistant steel buildings, there is a better chance of survival when disaster strikes.

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Squeaky Clean!

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

So your steel building is done. You already had it fire proofed, flood proofed, earthquake proofed, and even increased its blast resistance. What’s the next step? Maintenance. Fortunately for steel buildings, there’s not much maintaining to do. That’s why you chose a steel building in the first place!

Steel buildings are practically maintenance free. There’s no moisture so you don’t need to worry about termites and other pests. In this alone you’re reducing your insect treatment costs already. There’s no weathering or cracking or rotting unlike in wood framed buildings where these are all common problems. So what SHOULD you worry about in steel buildings?

You only need to worry about preventive maintenance. Aside from checking if the accessories, support structures, and foundation of your building are in good condition, regular cleaning of the steel itself is all you need to do.

After the building is erected, or after any building modifications, make sure to clean any debris and small items left during the construction such as screws, pop rivets, drill bits, or any ferrous objects. Sweep these items with a soft nylon brush while larger items like sheet metal cut-offs should be removed by hand to avoid incurring damage on the roof panels.

Also watch out for any sand and dust on the steel. Sand and dust tend to retain moisture, which can lead to corrosion of the steel. Clean sand and dust by thorough washing and rinsing with potable water and a soft nylon brush.

Make sure to also check “hidden” areas such as gutters, roof sheets, upper portions of walls, and sheltered areas under canopies or eaves as these are the most vulnerable.

If your building is in a highly polluted industrial area or near the sea, washing with clean water alone might not be enough to remove salt deposits. If that is the case, a mild detergent can also be used with the washing water. Do not use caustic cleaners! These can damage the paint and even the zinc layers. Lastly, make sure to thoroughly rinse afterwards with clean potable water.

Avoid all forms of moisture build-up on your roof or wall panels especially from equipment that go through these panels like air conditioning units, pipes and water storage tanks.

These maintenance procedures are relatively simple and you only have to perform them every 3 months if you’re in a high pollution area or near the sea, every 4 months if you’re in a medium pollution or highly humid area, and every 6 months if you’re in a low pollution area or in a dry desert region.

 

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