Although metal building systems have been around for over 100 years, their inherent benefits are often misunderstood. The original concept of a metal building system (MBS) was, and still is, to provide a building envelope that works as an integrated system. It is a single-source package of structural steel, cold-formed steel, metal walls and roofs, trims and integrated accessories custom-designed to be an efficient, cost-effective, low-rise building. Through the years, MBS have evolved from the simple to the complex by integrating various architectural products, including wall cladding and metal or conventional roofing materials. These buildings have become highly architectural, sustainable designs.
Simplifying a Fragmented Process
The traditional design-bid-build project delivery method for a building project is a fragmented and inefficient process with design, specifying, fabrication and construction taking place with multiple entities. This is why many architects and owners are interested in alternative forms of project delivery by working with a single-source metal building manufacturer. The building design, fabrication, delivery, and construction are all managed through one entity.
Early collaboration with a metal building manufacturer and their authorized contractors allows design and construction to work together sooner and in tandem during the design stage. This collaborative approach ensures tighter schedules and budgets.
Your Customer Wants a Metal Building. Now What?
Before beginning, you will need to understand metal building components as they differ from a conventional structural design. The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published the Metal Building Systems Manual that provides standard industry practices. It includes contract, order documents, engineer of record, and design data and details tailored for metal building systems. The MBMA and your preferred metal building manufacturer also provide standard performance specifications for metal buildings that offer valuable information to help you define project requirements to meet your customer’s needs. If you have selected a specific manufacturer, you will want to incorporate their Master Spec, written to their particular products, warranties and design requirements.
Why Certified Products Matter
Quality metal building manufacturers are AISC certified and participate in the IAS AC472 Accreditation Program. AISC’s certification program is the most recognized national quality certification program for the structural steel industry. Certified companies are subject to annual audits. AC472 is the most comprehensive quality assurance accreditation program. It assures that the MBS conforms to high-quality standards. Architects can specify the IAS quality accreditation that metal building assemblers have AC478 accreditation to supplement the AC472 accreditation.
Specifying for Sustainability
Designing buildings with sustainability benefits provides one of the most significant opportunities for architects to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare, but that can be a challenge if building owners don’t see a return on investment. Luckily, that is easier to explain with MBS as their components offer long life spans with little maintenance providing a quicker return on investment.
MBS are inherently sustainable due to their engineered use of steel and construction efficiencies. Here are just a few things to keep in mind when designing and specifying metal building systems:
- Steel construction complies with the requirements of sustainable design standards.
- Projects can earn credit points for rating systems such as the USGBC’s LEED and the Green Building Initiative’s ANSI/GBI-01.
- The engineered building design is optimized for the most efficient use of raw materials.
- Select manufacturers test their building assemblies to validate its actual thermal performance.
- Lighter weight designed structures can also reduce the size of footings and foundations, reducing the amount of concrete and steel.
- Manufacturers that adhere to EPA regulations for factory-applied, low-VOC paints meet energy codes’ reflectance and emittance standards.
- Daylighting systems with lighting controls substantially reduce a building’s lighting costs.
Once you experience how MBS can streamline the design-bid-build process and provide efficient, sustainable and architecturally appealing facilities, you won’t want to design anything else.
Steven Hudgins is the vice president of sales at Butler Manufacturing, Kansas City, Mo. To learn more, visit www.butlermfg.com.