Achieve Your Vision with Systems Construction

by Marcy Marro | May 1, 2020 12:00 am

There is no design-as-you-go in systems construction—Today’s metal building companies have an integrated process that ties all design and estimating directly with their manufacturing. Handing a metal building salesperson your drawings that are 20% complete will be a recipe for miscommunication. To deliver your estimate, the estimator will be required to make multiple assumptions to deliver a price to you. Those assumptions will ultimately either increase your cost or begin to modify your design to fit a systems construction process. And inevitably, multiple manufacturers will make different assumptions that will prevent you from making a head-to-head comparison.

The term ‘pre-engineered’ is a misnomer—Today’s systems construction uses just-in-time design and manufacturing techniques. Every building is custom-designed to meet the needs of your individual project. There are no standard buildings sitting in a warehouse, waiting to be shipped to your location.

Loads and codes drive design and price—Metal building systems are designed to be very efficient. Computerized design provides the optimum solution to building the frame of the structure based on snow load, point load, seismic and wind conditions. Changing any one of those conditions late in the process will often cause the whole structure to fail and require a re-design. The key to happiness is to work with a manufacturer’s sales engineer early in the process to understand how the loads are impacting your design and what changes are possible.

Brace yourself for a challenge—The efficiencies of a metal building system frame are often driven by bracing. Spacing of windows and doors can be impacted by the requirement for a wind post or cable bracing between wall columns. Again, early communication is the key to keep that big ugly X-bracing out of the front window of the final design of your beautiful retail store.

Know thy product—Product selection is often the key to success in metal building systems. Is there a tested assembly that can meet your energy code requirements? Will an insulated metal panel (IMP) give you a better in-place cost than building a conventional wall system? Does the 60-year life cycle cost of a metal roof system outweigh the advantages of a rubber roof? Today’s metal building systems are not designed to be a cheaper alternative to conventional structures. Today’s products are designed to meet specific needs for energy efficiency, aesthetics, and durability.

Simplification—As with any endeavor, Occam’s Razor applies. The simplest solution is often the best. Standardized connections and products reduce the possibility for error. Staying within the square is the most efficient use of building systems. Working with your manufacturer to modify any portion of your project into the square will pay dividends in the long run.

Modularity—Meeting the modularity requirements of your manufacturer also improves your efficiency. It ensures that your contractor can erect a plumb and true building to improve weathertightness and reduce long-term maintenance.

The need for speed—Systems construction is an excellent choice when you have tight construction schedules. Once you have a basis of design, the vertical integration of systems construction will shorten the manufacturing timetable. And, the standardized parts and connections will cut building erection by 20% or more. Industry standards in the field are also improving as the AC478 standard[1] has been established by the Metal Building Contractor and Erectors Association[2] (MBCEA).

Warranties—All metal building manufacturers have the same standard, short-term product warranties. Extended warranties are a more difficult question. If a longer-term warranty is required, be sure that it is not pro-rated. Pro-rated warranties rapidly reduce the manufacturers liability and are rarely worth the cost. The best long-term approach is to construct a high-quality standing seam roof system with a regular maintenance program. The 2014 Galvalume Service Life Report from the Metal Construction Association[3] (MCA) pegs the service life of a properly installed and maintained Galvalume metal roof at 60 years.

Using metal promotes sustainability—Because metal building systems start with recycled steel today and can be recycled at the end of their useful life, systems construction outperforms all other forms of construction for life cycle analysis and least material impact on the environment. (Athena Sustainable Materials Institute Impact Estimator for Buildings[4] looks at cradle-to-grave life cycle inventory (LCI) profile based on energy, raw material flow, and emissions. 2015 MBMA study by Walter P. Moore & Associates[5].)

Future expansion—Metal building systems can also be designed with expandable wall systems. The modularity and flexibility of the system allows the walls to be expanded at a future date when required which would be much more difficult with any other conventional or concrete wall system.

Choosing a metal building system is a viable option in today’s competitive construction marketplace. The innovations in systems construction can make your next project more rewarding and lucrative.

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Bruce Bortree is the builder engagement manager at Butler Manufacturing, Kansas City, Mo. To learn more, visit www.butlermfg.com[6].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/articles/achieve-your-vision-with-systems-construction/

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