Once a decision is made to use a metal building system as the basis for a construction project, some people think construction can simply begin right away. However, every metal building is custom engineered to meet the needs of the building owner, the architectural design, the conditions of the site, and local regulations. Hence, the first crucial step is to carry out the engineering of the metal building system with the appropriate input from the builder/erector, the architect, and the building owner. That means communication and coordination between the parties are needed along with proper time planning and use of proven tools to execute a successful project. How is that success measured? By using the rigor of planning processes and tools to execute and expedite a project that is done right the first time. That means lead times for the delivery of the drawings and metal building system are optimized and the overall high quality of the project is assured.

To achieve this end result, every project necessarily follows a specific engineering process. Managing that process with buy in from everyone involved keeps expectations realistic and responsibilities by each party well understood. Trying to force things forward faster by skipping over steps or using erroneous assumptions in engineering design will have the opposite effect of requiring work to be redone which causes quality issues and time delays. Here are the typical steps that must be addressed in every project:

Upfront Information

The basic parameters of the project need to be fully described so that the engineering design can properly address them. This information could be in the form of architectural drawings, performance specifications, or a written description of the building owner’s needs. The parameters include the obvious items of building dimensions, height clearances, wind loads, seismic conditions, buildings attachments, site restrictions, etc. It also includes a description of the size and number of openings in the walls and roof (i.e. windows, doors, skylights, etc.), an indication of the type of metal building component products desired (i.e. wall and roof panel profiles and gauge), and any special considerations for those components (i.e. purlin and girt restrictions, accessory preferences, etc.) Similarly, for buildings that need to meet or exceed energy code requirements, the nature of the preferred insulation system and thickness (i.e. batts, insulated metal panels, field applied foam, etc.) needs to be known so that the metal building structure can accommodate it properly.

Planning and Scheduling

Once the upfront information is properly communicated, the required engineering work can be assessed and planned accordingly. The amount of work and time required to execute the design and detailing will vary based on many inherent factors such as the size, shape, and complexity of the building. The schedule can also be influenced by other factors such as design changes or extended review periods sought by the architect, code official, builder, or owner. Once all factors are accounted for, a realistic project schedule will be identified and agreed upon.

Engineering Design

There is a mantra “plan the work then work the plan” and that is what begins here. With all of the above customer information and parameters in place, the engineering team can then use state-of-the-art computer-based tools for the structural engineering and drafting tasks that are needed to design the building. Added in are the engineering requirements for the basis of design (i.e. wind loading, seismic conditions, etc.) and required safety factors and provisions to comply with codes. The result is a set of overall structural design calculations and specifications that are used to create drawing packages to communicate column anchorage requirements to foundation engineers, to submit to local jurisdictions to attain building permit, and to submit to owners, builders, or architects for approval to proceed if applicable.

Detailing

Based on the engineering documents, and approved drawings when applicable, the next step is to prepare the manufacturing drawings and data, as well as corresponding erection drawings used in the field to identify how the building parts go together properly to achieve the desired building system. Depending on the complexity, this can take on the order of 1 – 2 weeks or more. The complete package of detailed engineering drawings are issued for erector installation, and the drawings will be fully reviewed and bear the stamp and seal of a licensed professional engineer.

Fabrication

With the final review and approvals of everyone involved (including any revisions if needed), the engineering drawings will be issued for fabrication and as erection drawings to the customer/ installer. At this point the process moves from engineering to fabrication, delivery, and construction and follows a separate planning and execution process for those steps. 

Understanding the process outlined above and faithfully following it is the best way to achieve time efficiencies and quality in the construction of the building. Ceco is moving toward integrating the engineering process with the overall sequence of a project using even more advanced computer software allowing greater transparency, input, and control from project inception to completion. To find out more about how to use this process to your advantage in your current or next project contact your local Ceco representative.

In a prior blog post we discussed the basics of different primary building frame systems that form the main structure of a metal building. Installing the primary frame is the obvious first step during erection, but there is also a necessary intermediary step before the finished wall or roof panels can be added. This step includes the installation of secondary framing, which is used to span between the primary members and attach the wall and roof panels. If traditional construction is being used instead of panels, secondary framing of some sort is required there as well.

Secondary framing is commonly made from cold-formed steel components that meet established standards for quality and grade. The typical shapes of the secondary framing members include purlins, girts, eave struts, wall base, and long-bay members described further as follows:

Girts & Purlins A girt is a horizontal structural member in a framed wall that provides lateral support to the wall panel to resist wind loads. Girts are also used to create a framed opening around windows and doors. Purlins perform the same lateral support for the roof panels and are usually run across the top of the primary steel. Both girts and purlins are roll-formed “Z” sections that are 8 inches, 10 inches, or 12 inches deep. Each flange of the “Z” has a stiffening lip formed at 50° to the flange, allowing  it to nest with members in adjacent bays forming a continuous beam across multiple bays.

Eave Struts are secondary members that are installed along the roof eaves to support the edge of the roofing panels. They are typically roll-formed “C” sections, 8 inches deep nominal (roll-formed) with 3 ¼ inch wide top and bottom flanges; or brake-formed “C” sections 10 inches or 12 inches deep nominal with a 3 ¼ inch wide top flange and a 4 ½ inch wide bottom flange.

Wall Base Angle/Trim provides support for wall panels and closes off the open ribs at their base. A standard base condition is to use this one-piece member without a panel notch in the concrete foundation. However, dimensions of this member allow it to be used in conjunction with a panel notch, if the customer so desires.

Long Bay^® System is a custom-engineered horizontal structural member available exclusively from Ceco. It acts as a truss-shaped, long-span purlin supporting roof systems with virtually square-shaped top and bottom chords. Using the Long Bay System allows for lengths up to 65 feet between primary structural members with depths from 12 inches to 44 inches.

All secondary members are available in a range of standard shapes, sizes, and profiles, and selecting from this assortment is usually the best way to go. The specialized Long Bay components are engineered to meet the needs of a particular project, but other custom profiles are also available.  If the secondary framing is going to be exposed and visible in the building, then any of the standard or custom paint colors available from the manufacturer can also be applied.

When it comes to installing the secondary members to the primary framing, using the proper fasteners is crucial.  These will likely be sized and engineered as part of the overall metal building system, and are usually supplied by the manufacturer. Further, the manufacturer’s installation drawings and/or manuals will include specific fastening details that will need to be followed for the proper installation and structural integrity of the system.

The information presented here is meant to simply be a review of the types and options in secondary building framing systems for metal buildings. To find out more about selecting the best framing system for a metal building that you are involved with, see the Ceco website or contact your local Ceco representative.

Building owners who are grounded in their current reality but have an eye to the future often seek flexibility in their building design. Therefore, it is not uncommon for a design professional to be asked how the building can be sized to meet the current needs but allow for an economical expansion when the time is right for that. Metal buildings provide an exceptional answer through the proper design and construction of the end wall of the building. Below we identify the different options that are available and how each one impacts the end use of the building.

Bearing Frame

This is a typical endwall consisting of a series of rafter beams supported by columns and can also be referred to as a Beam and Column or Post and Beam frame. Since the rafters only support a portion of the last bay of the metal building, they are smaller members which are not structurally designed for future expansion. X-bracing is often used in one or more of the endwall bays or sections to provide support for horizontal wind and seismic load and is intended to remain as part of the permanent lateral support structure.

Expandable Frame

When the endwall frame is designed for both the structural loads of the existing endwall as well as the anticipated structural loads of expansion, then it can be left in place and is considered an Expandable Frame. This can reduce costs when the expansion is undertaken since only the exterior end wall enclosure system needs to be removed (and possibly re-used on the new end) while the existing end wall expandable frame left can be left in place. New wall and roof systems can then be tied into the existing structure to create a continuous, weathertight, expanded building.

Expandable frames are designed to carry a full bay’s worth of load similar to a mainframe at the interior of the building. This additional capacity allows it to be transformed into an interior frame when the building is expanded. Often called “Rigid Frames” or “Main Frames” that are simply located at an endwall, they consist of members that are joined together with moment connections that allow the frame to support both vertical and horizontal loads without the need for x-bracing. Typically, Expandable Frames will be constructed of large tapered sections that are designed specifically for the building loadings to optimize size, shape, weight and clearances. Straight sections can be requested as well.

Non-Expandable Frame

This type of frame shares many of the same characteristics as an Expandable Frame since bracing in the plane of the frame is not required. However, a Non-Expandable Frame is designed for only half of the endbay roof and wall loading and not for any additional loads from future expansion. This makes the frame lighter compared to an Expandable Frame. Other applications for using a Non-Expandable endframe include buildings with special or heavier load requirements or instances where bracing of a Bearing Frame Endwall would otherwise interfere such as very large openings for hangar doors or crane runways in an endwall.

Rigid Bearing Frame

This frame is a bit of a hybrid combining some of the characteristics of all three frames previously mentioned except that it is not considered an expandable frame. It can be fabricated of straight or tapered sections. Roof beams and sidewall columns are designed with moment connections and thus do not require bracing in the plane of the frame. Intermediate columns are rotated 90 degrees to the roof beams to permit attachment of girts and wall panels, thus eliminating the need for larger setbacks for endwall columns in addition to the frame columns. Because it is a rigid frame it can be designed more easily to accommodate heavier secondary loadings for wall accessories or large openings in the plane of the endwall framing.

Ledger Member

This classification is typically reserved for endwalls of a building that are supported by a concrete or masonry wall with a steel ledger angle fastened to the wall and metal building purlins bolted to the angle. The nature of concrete and masonry walls is that they will likely stay in place if expansion is considered. If that doesn’t suit the building design, then an expandable frame will be much more cost-effective.

Clearly, it is important to address expansion plans early on in the design of the building and pick an endwall design accordingly. The project that follows is a great example of how this was done successfully.

Hangar 19, Fargo, North Dakota

Located at Hector International Airport in Cass County, North Dakota, Hangar 19 is used for private plane owners who need not only airplane storage but protection from the very cold northern climate. The design of this building, therefore, required certain amenities including storage space, a heated garage for vehicles, office space, a lobby and lounge area. Olaf Anderson served both as the Architect and General Contractor. Since he was very aware that metal buildings are the most economical way to get large spans for hangar space as well as accommodate large hangar doors, a custom metal building was designed with single-slope clearspan rigid bearing frames. The facility accommodates 18 to 20 planes with a mezzanine for the other building needs.

The endwall of Hangar 19 is further designed to accommodate the request from the private owner to allow for the possibility of a future addition. With this in mind, Olaf Anderson used an expandable frame on the endwall to accommodate an approximately 34,000 sq. ft. future expansion to the north of the facility.

To read more about this project, visit https://www.cecobuildings.com/resources/case-studies/hangar-19-case-study/. To learn more about designing endwalls for future expansion on other projects, contact your local Ceco representative.

Content for this blog post was provided by Wes Young, Cornerstone Building Brands Product Training Manager

People often have items that needs to be stored outside of their residence or business, so much so that there continues to be a strong demand to rent mini-storage units. Owners of these facilities obviously have choices in terms of the type of buildings that they can use to create these storage spaces, but for many good reasons, metal buildings are commonly the preferred choice. Let’s look at some of the popular mini-storage building scenarios and look closer at the benefits and features that metal offers in each.

Standard, Single Story Solutions

A common storage facility type is a single story metal-framed building with maintenance free low slope metal roofing and metal siding. The size of the building can be customized with a steel structural system that allows for a variety of storage bay widths and depths. Access to each storage unit is typically available directly to the exterior through a metal door that can be a standard overhead, garage style door, or a metal roll up door that does not require tracks on the ceiling, thus providing more storage space. Either type of door can be readily locked and secured and can be easily labeled for identification.

Climate Controlled, Multi-story Solutions

In some cases, particularly more urbanized areas, multi-story buildings make more financial sense for storage facilities. In many cases, these buildings are climate controlled for heating, air-conditioning and humidity levels. That often means different approaches to insulating the exterior walls and roof, but metal interior partitions and doors are often the norm. Metal allows for continuous, secure partitions to separate different storage units with a minimum of maintenance and a high degree of durability. Different gauge metal wall panels are available for different needs but they can readily be used in corridors to access the storage units as well as for dividing the units from each other.

Boat and RV Storage

In some cases, specialty storage needs are sought to store larger items such as boats, trailers, recreational vehicles, etc. In these cases, metal buildings again offer advantages since the structure can be easily custom-designed for taller heights and longer clear spans to allow for oversized items. Roll-up doors are again a benefit in this situation since they can be sized large enough to accommodate tall and wide vehicles. The economy of metal buildings allow them to be a truly viable option whether the need is for a single boat or vehicle or an entire fleet.

Storage Customizations and Accessories

Regardless of the type of mini-storage building needed, there are many options available from metal building and door manufacturers. Essentially, every building is treated as a custom design, so they are laid out and engineered to meet the specific needs of the building owner. Further, the metal roofing and siding is available in a wide range of profiles and colors allowing fully custom or distinctive “brand” appearances to be created.

There are also a variety of accessories that are available to suit the needs of metal buildings. Corner reinforcements, bumpers and similar components help protect the building against potential abuse or damage. Security enhancements such as burglar bars or horizontal reinforcements also help assure that tenants access their units only and they are protected from others accessing theirs. Natural lighting through translucent panels or windows are also an optional item that can be incorporated.

If you are interested in a mini-storage facility of any type and would like to explore further the many features and benefits of using metal buildings and doors for this unique building type, contact your local Ceco representative today!

Never in our lifetime has it been more evident than now that design and construction teams are incorporating so many different elements into projects. Customers are increasingly requesting more features and benefits to keep up with changing codes and their own personal requirements. It is our job as the suppliers, builders, contractors and architects to deliver on those needs.

There is something to be said for a tastefully constructed building that brings together many elements. That is quite true for the City of Greenville Public Works Campus project. Not only was sustainability an important factor for the campus, so was the ability for it to be economical and multi-purposeful.

Sustainability

A sustainable building delivers on energy efficiency, reducing waste, conserving natural resources and optimizing performance. The green movement is at an all-time high in almost every industry today therefore, it’s pivotal that companies provide a built-in sustainable strategy. Ceco was able to help achieve that with this project. The roofing system for the campus was comprised of CFR insulated metal roof panels in Kynar Polar White. The white roof reinforces sustainability by being highly reflective of the sun and reducing solar heat gain. The CFR IMP also offers a superior R-30 value, ultimately enhancing energy performance. The building’s walls are comprised of the 7.2 Insul-Rib™ and Striated insulated wall panels and with a R-21 value, these IMP’s provide another effective measure of energy efficiency. Another benefit of Ceco’s products is that they are virtually 100% recyclable, therefore, contributing to the reduction of waste, another huge sustainability benefit.

Economical

Frankly, people want the best value for their dollar. The benefit of low maintenance and low operating costs of metal building’s mean optimization of economic performance throughout the building’s life cycle. Not only are customers looking for value, but they are also looking for short turn around times (within reason). A huge motive for the City of Greenville choosing to build with metal was a faster erection schedule than conventional building materials. Both features of a custom metal building system boded well for the City whose project ultimately came in under budget and finished ahead of schedule.

Multi-Purposeful

Efficiency is important to every company. Bringing together different factions of the business to all be centrally located and housed under one roof was an important ask of the City of Greenville. Ultimately, the end project just did this. The campus contains four buildings for fleet services, operations and administration, a fuel island and truck wash. All of these integral parts of the business now have a home from which to conduct business efficiently.

For more information about Ceco’s City of Greenville project, visit our case study page.

Metal buildings come in all shapes and sizes with color options that are almost limitless. The profiles, of pre-engineered metal buildings, are also extensive. With insulated metal panels that now resemble pre-cast concrete or stucco, you may mistake a metal building for being built with some other material. Don’t judge a book by its cover as appearances can be deceiving.

The Evolution of a Steel Building

Metal buildings first came on the market in the late 1700’s and began surfacing across the textile industry. During WWII, metal buildings began being used in large numbers for airplane hangars and Quonset huts. Steel buildings have traditionally been thought of as a plain, gray, boring box structure like the manufacturing plants or warehouses you see that line the highway. While manufacturing plants and warehouses are still often made of steel and metal, they are anything but boring and certainly not limited to one color choice. Gone are the days when a metal building was restricted to look like just a square metal box. Today, metal buildings are used in a vast number of industries for nearly any purpose you can think of.

Metal Building Colors

Colors are ever-changing and depending on the industry, go in and out of popularity relatively quickly. However, across the metal building industry, owners are requesting what were once unfathomable color choices for their buildings. Whether the main focus or accented, colors are now a huge driving force behind the design of a building. Manufacturers have adjusted and now offer expansive color options. With choices that span the color spectrum, the reality is that color is being tastefully incorporated into the metal building design quite frequently nowadays.

The Advancement of All Things Technology Driven, Green and Sustainable

Metal buildings have evolved with time, technology, building codes and the industry. Undoubtedly, technology has revolutionized how we do business today and going green isn’t slowing anytime soon. Customers expect better tools everyday and the metal building industry is shifting to keep up with the technology advancements. Sustainability is on the lips of everyone in the metal building industry. The green movement has set an unprecedented change in what customers are asking for and expect manufacturers to supply…enter stage right: insulated panels and higher R-values. The benefits are evident and designing with IMPs has become increasingly important across the industry.

It’s important to be open to the idea of what a modern metal building can look like for you. Learn more about the metal buildings we’ve worked on by viewing our project gallery or contact your local Ceco representative to see how we can turn your vision into reality.

It’s hurricane season – and for anyone who has experienced what that can mean for a building, there is reason to take notice. The time to pay attention is during design and construction to create a building that can resist the effects of high winds, torrential rain and other storm effects. In particular, engineered metal buildings have been shown to be particularly resilient in this regard. Steel structures, metal roofing and metal siding are all routinely designed, tested and rated to withstand different levels of severe weather, with most achieving excellent results. Beyond laboratory testing, the 2017 hurricane season provided some real world, dramatic examples demonstrating the strength and resiliency of metal buildings.

Harvey Threatens Ingleside ISD’s New Metal Building Facilities

On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 storm, hit the coast of Texas near Corpus Christi with 130 mph winds and left 250,000 people without power. According to the National Hurricane Center, it ultimately caused $125 billion in damage – more than any other natural disaster in U.S. history except Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Hurricane Harvey affected 13 million people from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky with at least 88 people losing their life as a result of the storm.

Just 12 days before Harvey hit, on August 14, 2017, a metal building project was completed, which was unknowingly in the direct path where the hurricane came ashore the following week. The Ingleside Independent School District (ISD), on the northern side of Corpus Christi Bay, chose to use Ceco Builder Weaver & Jacobs Constructors, Inc. to provide metal buildings for their new High School Sports Complex and Maintenance Building. The project included a 40,000 square foot indoor football practice facility, a 15,000 square foot maintenance facility, and a 20,000 square foot bus barn all comprised of the SuperLok® standing seam roof system and PBR wall panels.

Fortunately for most Texas building owners on the Gulf Coast, the Texas Department of Insurance has some appropriate requirements for wind resistance in buildings in order to be eligible for property insurance at favorable rates. In the case of the Ingleside ISD, the design criteria was for a T-1 designation able to withstand 140 mile per hour winds. When Hurricane Harvey tore through the area, the engineering, design, fabrication, and construction were all put to the ultimate test with sustained winds approaching that design limit.

How did the project do? The school district personnel and the contractor went and assessed the property after the storm. To their great relief and delight, all of the buildings were fully intact. No fasteners came out, no roof or siding panels were damaged, and no breaches to the building enclosure were found. The only damage determined was to a single downspout on one of the buildings which was quite easily repairable. The outcome of this project is a testament to the truly durable nature of metal buildings.

To find out more about the best practices and ways to protect your metal building, especially during hurricanes, contact your local Ceco representative.

Selecting a roofing system for a low rise commercial building involves making a choice from the multiple options available. More than ever before, metal roofing is being chosen because it provides a number of significant benefits for building designers, installers, users, and owners, including the following:

Design Aesthetics

Metal roofing is available in a wide range of standing seam and ribbed profiles that come in many appealing colors. These roofs are made to be visible whether high-slope or low-slope designs are used to enhance the overall appearance of the building in dramatic, subtle, or complementary styles. In all situations, the surface of the finished metal and the detailing associated with it have been shown to hold up well over time, meaning that the building continues to look good for decades after it is first installed.

Strength

The primary advantage of metal roofing made from steel is its strength. Milled steel rolls delivered to the manufacturer meet very exacting specifications. The shaping and profiling of the steel, along with its inherent strength, allows the finished roofing to withstand a great deal of abuse and wear.

Longevity

Metal roofing has a proven track record of longevity that is greater than virtually any other commercial roofing. In fact, it is not uncommon to come upon an older building that has reached the end of its useful life while the metal roofing is still intact.

Resiliency

In a severe weather event, the ability for a building to be resilient or “bounce back” into service afterwards is increasingly important. Metal roofing holds up against rain, hail, snow, and other precipitation quite readily, but it is also notably resilient when it comes to high winds. Metal roofing systems consistently meet or exceed the requirements for wind resistance established for common conditions under Factory Mutual (FM) or similar standards. They also have been tested and shown to meet or even surpass the code mandates of hurricane prone areas such as Miami-Dade County in Florida and the underwriting requirements of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). In a dramatic demonstration of this resiliency, hurricane activity in Puerto Rico in 2017 destroyed hundreds of commercial roofs while many metal roofs survived and protected the people inside the buildings.

Warranty

Weather tightness warranties are available at different levels for different products from different manufacturers. However, in almost all cases, they are much longer and more comprehensive than for built-up roofs or single ply membranes. Part of the reason for these strong warranties lies in the fact that metal roofs do not support mold growth, rust and decay, or distort under normal temperature fluctuations.

Faster Construction

Metal roofing installs faster and requires less time to enclose a building than with conventional roofing construction. Materials are carefully designed and precisely made so they are quick to install allowing for more accurate production schedules – that translates into more predictable labor needs and better control of profits. Further, since there is less jobsite waste than traditional construction methods, clean up is faster with disposal costs reduced.

Economical First Costs

Metal roofing has proven to be quite economical during design and construction, particularly if it is part of a full metal building package from a single-source manufacturer.

Minimal Maintenance

The exterior of a standing seam metal roof is essentially maintenance free under normal use conditions. Superior, life-extending roof coatings that retain color and resist dirt are a big part of the reason for this, including the ability to be “self-cleaning” from rain on sloped surfaces. Further, since metal roofing does not support mold growth and resists rust and decay better than other building materials, there is rarely any need for maintenance crews to spend any time overcoming these issues.

Economical Life Cycle Costs

The low maintenance, high longevity, and the potential for reduced operating costs of metal roofing allow for very favorable life cycle cost assessments compared to built-up or modified roofing systems which need repairs, maintenance, and more frequent replacement.

Sustainability

Building owners have come to expect that roofs will help them save energy and not do damage to the environment, in other words…be sustainable. The latest metal roofing systems with clips and opti-liner insulation systems allow for higher roofing R-values than were previously common. Further, insulated metal roof panels (IMP) provide superior performance with a continuous layer of insulation sandwiched between the interior and exterior panel. Added insulation means lower energy needs and lower operating costs. From an environmental standpoint, metal roofing is made with a substantial recycled content and is 100 percent recyclable at the end of its service life. For those seeking to provide a high solar reflection index (SRI) to reduce heat build-up on roofs, metal roofing can meet or exceed the standards for both high slope and low slope conditions. Finally, it is easy to incorporate natural daylighting in a metal roofing system using domed skylights or panels.

To find out more about the ways to benefit from metal roofing on a building you are involved with, contact your local Ceco representative.

A common need in manufacturing, warehouse, distribution and large retail buildings such as supermarkets is large, open spaces with minimum interruptions by columns. Often, in these cases, a steel structural frame is used with the roof supported by open web steel bar joists. Increasingly, a superior alternative to bar joists is being employed in the form of fabricated long bay trusses known as the Long Bay® roof system. It provides building designers, installers and owners with many noticeable advantages.

Engineering Advances

The Long Bay® truss systems are cold formed from 12 and 14 gauge steel to create the chord and web members – the same process as other metal structural members such as girts and purlins. The shop fabricated Long Bay® trusses are engineered to be stronger, wider and lighter than conventional bar joists. The resulting system is very linear and straight with improved performance particularly in the horizontal or weak axis. Commonly ranging in depth between 12 to 44 inches, they can span up to 70 feet, with a sweet spot at 60 feet. Longer spans mean fewer columns and fewer foundations thus simplifying design and reducing costs. Long Bay® trusses can also be designed to be used as a spandrel box beam to eliminate intermediate columns and beams in side walls or tilt-up construction.

Installation Efficiencies

There are several advantages for installers when using long bay systems. First, it is a truly bolted system with no field welding involved. Two ½” bolts are all that is needed on the end of each truss to secure them directly to the primary structure. Notably, there are no torque requirements on the bolts as would be common in other systems. Second, there is little or no bridging required. Conventional bar joists often require 7 – 8 rows of bridging on both the top and bottom, for a total of about 15 rows. Long Bay® trusses eliminate the need for top chord bridging and require only minimal bottom chord bridging, even when standing seam roofing is used. This produces a huge savings in time to erect and install the roof, on the order of at least 25 percent or more in labor savings. Third, the 4-inch top chord provides a continuous, solid area for attaching roofing. That reduces the potential for fasteners to miss the top chord or end up between the angles of bar joist. More solid attachment means the roof system performs as intended. Finally, it is possible to bolt and connect a series of long bay trusses on the ground and lift them up using two cranes to settle them into place. This can make the installation process easier, faster, and more economical.

Scheduling Advantages

Long Bay® systems are made and provided by a metal building manufacturer. Conventional bar joists are often provided by a separate company than the supplier of other metal building products. The notable distinction is that the schedule for the production and delivery of bar joists is controlled by a third party company while the schedule for producing Long Bay® systems is controlled directly by the metal building manufacturer. While this aspect alone often produces shorter lead times, it also means they can be shipped as part of a single-source metal building package to simplify the total construction schedule.

Improved Finished Appearance

Many buildings with large open areas are designed with the intention of keeping the structure open and exposed to view. In that regard, Long Bay® provides a very clean and neat visual appearance, particularly compared to bar joists with lots of bridging. Further, the thicker chord members provide a place to conceal wiring, piping and other needed items. The Long Bay® system also has optional accessories available for a similarly neat installation of sprinklers, mechanical, lighting, and other items all without the need for field welding. This system works particularly well with Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) sprinklers used in many warehouses.

To find out more about ways to incorporate a Long Bay® system into your metal buildings, contact your local Ceco representative. You can also find more information on the Long Bay® system here.

The task of designing and constructing a metal building requires many components that need to be designed, fabricated, coordinated, shipped, and installed. Consequently, a number of different people and companies need to be involved in the process, which increases the chances for miscommunications, delays, and unexpected outcomes.

For these reasons and more, many building owners and general contractors are seeking metal building manufacturers that can act as a single source for as many of the parts and pieces of the building as possible. General contractors will commonly handle the site work, foundation, and concrete floor slab, and partner with a metal building company for the structural steel. In some traditional scenarios, the general contractor then needs to coordinate all of the subsequent materials and trades to enclose the building. Finding a company that can provide more than just the structural steel can greatly simplify project management, streamline the construction process, and avoid debates over responsibilities between individual trades.

What types of services are we talking about? Here is a representative list:

• Design and Coordination: Manufacturers’ technical teams can work with project architects, engineers, owners and contractors to review options, verify material compatibility, and coordinate the final selection of all products and materials.
• Structural Steel Package: In addition to the structural steel columns, beams, girts, and purlins, all associated structural items can be designed, coordinated, and provided. This includes things like the right type, size, and quantity of fasteners, plates, angles, and miscellaneous steel items.
• Steel Erection: Some companies will not only provide the structural steel package, they also can arrange for the erection and assembly on the project site. This service can extend to other components as well.
• Roof and Wall Panels: Enclosing the structural steel frame to create a total envelope means creating full, weathertight roofs and walls. Metal building companies offer a wide variety of metal panels that do just that. Further, they can offer the option of cutting openings for windows, doors, skylights, etc. in the factory, or accommodate for field sizing and cutting.
• Roof Curbs: Including this common and often needed accessory with the roof panel and steel package helps in several ways. First, it streamlines a sometimes uncertain roof opening condition. Second, it helps assure that proper weathertightness is achieved. Third, by coming from the same manufacturer as the roof panels, it helps maintain roofing warranties.
• Insulation: Here again, there are options. Insulated metal panels can be specified and used; they provide rigid insulation between an exterior and interior metal skin and are secured to the steel structure. Or, the building manufacturer can provide common types of batt insulation that is sized and designed to fit in the structure and complies with energy-code requirements.
• Windows and Skylights: These often necessary building elements can look simple but often require careful attention to details to assure their proper fit, operation, and weathertightness. They can be full-functioning window and skylight units or fixed translucent panels in a roof or wall system. Either way, including them with the total envelope package helps to assure their successful performance.
• Doors: In metal buildings these can take several forms. There will likely be the need for personnel doors, which can be provided and coordinated similar to windows with the requisite array of options for standard sizes, finishes, and glazing. However, there may also be a need for doors to suit vehicular or equipment access. In this case, coiling metal doors are often the preferred option since they don’t require the same clearances or supports as overhead panel doors or vertical lift doors. Coiling metal doors can often be supplied by the metal building manufacturer as part of an integrated, coordinated package.
• Accessories: In addition to roof curbs, there are many other miscellaneous and project-specific items that can be part of the metal building envelope package. These could include flashings, sealants, trim pieces, and infill panels of different types.

Overall, it should be clear by now that identifying a single source for design coordination, ordering, delivery, and even installation of a complete structural and building envelope package simplifies the construction process. This strategy helps the project to progress more smoothly. When there are less design and detailing issues for coordination with other people, products, or companies, there are more known entities, and therefore it becomes more possible to control the process and outcome.

To find out more about the single-source capabilities of metal building structure and total envelope packages, contact your local Ceco representative.