Metal buildings are being designed and engineered in new and different ways these days. Long gone are the off-the-shelf pre-engineered metal buildings. With that brings excitement on how to design these unique projects, as well as how to erect them. With new projects come new challenges as no two projects are alike. The initial drawings may be similar from a previous one, but upon closer inspection of the specifications there are always many variances. For metal buildings those specifications are within Division 13.
A good place to start is to ask yourself, or the end user, “What is the intent of the spec? Is the intent to meet the specification 100%? Or is it to meet it with a few exclusions, inserting of the manufacturer’s standards?” To meet a specification in its entirety is not impossible but does come with potential added costs and schedule impacts as there could be something in there that goes above a certain manufacturer’s standards. And what happens when the plans contradict what is the specifications? This does happen and per the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), the plans will override the specifications as the plans are more project specific than the specs.
Keep the End Customer in Mind
When a project needs a specification the first thing that should be considered is the wants and needs of the end customer. The specs should be treated as a “I need this” list of products and inclusions to the project so that the end customer has no questions on what is being provided to them. If the project requires a custom color or a special panel from a certain manufacturer then those are the items to be spelled out. Special deflections for the serviceability of the structure above and beyond typical criteria is another great specification that could be noted. Anything that is pertinent to the success of the overall project is something worth noting and specifying.
MBMA
Specifying a metal building system doesn’t have to be that tough. In the last 15 years, the MBMA has been instrumental for promoting bigger and better exposure to what Metal Buildings can be and what they can do. It doesn’t stop there, manufacturers also need to do their part. Manufacturers need to use correct design practices, control the quality of steel coming in the door, control the quality of steel being shipped out, produce accurate drawings for erection practices and follow up with great customer service.
The benefits of a manufacturer being an MBMA member goes farther than just themselves, it also extends to specifiers and end owners.
What is Galvanized Steel?
Galvanized steel is simply steel that has had been coated in zinc. The zinc alloy is applied to the steel at high temperatures, which is then cooled causing the iron and zinc to bond. For galvanized steel coils, from which secondary members are manufactured, the zinc is applied using a process called continuous galvanizing in which bare-steel coils pass through a molten zinc bath at high speeds. After the bath, high-pressure air is applied to the coil to remove excess zinc and set the thickness. The material is then cooled creating the bond and finalizing the finish.
Contemporary Appearance of Galvanized
The conventional choice has always been a primed member; if you look at most older buildings, girts, purlins, and jambs are often either primed with either red or grey primer (unless they were subsequently painted for appearance). The reason behind this choice was typically two-fold: primed steel matched the main frames, and primed steel was thought to be cheaper than galvanized steel. For years, this conventional wisdom held, and many building manufacturers still use primed steel for secondary members.
IAS AC472
International Accreditation Service Inc.’s (IAS) has developed AC472. This accreditation program is a comprehensive quality assurance program that audits a manufacturer for is integrity of design and manufacturing processes. Each MBMA member is required to be AC472 accredited and thus held to a higher standard than most.
Specifiers and end owners get the benefits of yearly and unannounced audits of the manufacturer to be sure they are still compliant with the high standards of order, design and fabrication processes that AC472 requires.
An additional benefit of being an accredited AC472 manufacturer is that the requirements of International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 17 for Special Inspections and Tests is already adequate evidence for compliance. AC472 does not eliminate the need for inspections at the construction site but does eliminate the need for in-shop inspections, saving time and money.
A couple requirements that should be in every specification include:
- The manufacturer must be a member of MBMA.
- The manufacturer must be in compliance with the International Accreditation Service, Inc., Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Programs for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (IAS AC472).
By requiring the above specifications on your next project, the manufacturer confirms that it has undergone an independent review twice a year for quality of work, including the improved quality of your project. Allowing only accredited suppliers protects you and your end owner. Due to the specifier not designing the building, the end user can be assured that professional engineers are responsible for the building system design.
When a project is approached with the end in mind, it will be a successful project each and every time. Knowing the end customers’ wants and needs at the onset of the order will ensure a successful project that meets all the wants and needs of the customer. It also provides a solid foundation to ensure that the project comes in on time and on or under budget. MBMA and AC472 have increased the likelihood of a higher project success rate and has the capability to continue this into the future.
Brent Frerichs, PE, is inside sales manager for Chief Buildings, Grand Island, Neb. He can be contacted at brent.frerichs@chiefind.com. To learn more, visit www.chiefbuildings.com.