Agricultural Steel Building Systems
What is a Steel Building System?
One definition of the term system is a group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements forming a collective entity. This is a very good description of the way all the elements in a steel building systems work together, mutually supporting each other, to form a structure capable of resisting design loads, keeping out the weather, and limiting heat transfer.
A steel building system features steel structural and cladding components, plus related accessories, engineered and designed to act as an integrated building system. The building system utilizes rigid frames or columns and beams as the primary structural elements; alternatively, it may be a "self-framing" type, using the cladding as the primary load bearing roof and/or wall elements in addition to functioning as a weather barrier.
These buildings are fabricated by the manufacturer at a central location and shipped to builders across Canada. The manufacturer is responsible for the structural design and fabrication of the building system, and the builder is responsible for the erection and related work (e.g. concrete foundations, interior finishing, HVAC systems, etc.).
Not Just a Box
In the late 1940's there was a growing demand for low-cost and easily portable shelter, combined with the rapid rise in construction labour costs, giving rise to the growth of the steel building systems industry. In the early days a “pre-engineered” building was characterized by galvanized sheet steel roof and wall panels, moderate spans, light framing or self-framing, and a look of functional utility. Not much thought was given to aesthetics because the market was largely industrial and agricultural.
By 1960, pre-painted sheet steel panels had been developed which gave the customer a choice of several attractive colours. Over the years architects have found ways of using the advantages of the variety of pre-painted sheet steel products, combined with other building materials like wood, concrete, stone and glass, to create attractive architectural buildings for many markets.
The emergence of computer technology has also had a direct impact on the growth of the steel building systems industry. Modern technology is utilized by the manufacturer to facilitate the design and fabrication where every building becomes unique.
Type #1: Quonset
- An economical solution for large bulk storage;
- Appropriate for storage of agricultural produce, machinery and equipment;
- Maintenance free;
- Easy to install; and
- The system is a good choice for the D.I.Y. (do it yourself) market.
Type #2: Rigid Frame
- Provides limitless design features;
- Appropriate for small retail outlets that require intricate architectural details and large industrial facilities with integrated cranes; and
- Clear spans up to 300'.
Type #3: Self-framing
- Designed from an engineered panel requires no structure steel
- Limitless Design Combinations
- 300' Clear Span Capability
- Quick and Easy Construction
- Maintenance-Free Interior and Exterior
CSA-A660 Certification for Steel Building Systems
The CSA-A660 Standard was developed at the request of the CSSBI to assist code enforcement officials in reviewing building permit submissions incorporating a steel building system, and to help purchasers in obtaining a quality building.
The SBS manufacturer is often remote from the building site and the building is sold through a local builder or contractor. Code enforcement officials may wish to confirm the structural adequacy of a building. It is the intent of the A660 Standard and the accompanying certification program, to facilitate this.
The A660 Standard requires that the manufacturer's production facilities, staff, and quality assurance systems are capable of consistently producing quality steel buildings. To ensure that these design and production standards are met and maintained, the A660 Standard requires a manufacturing facility to be certified by a certification agency, such as the Canadian Welding Bureau. In turn, the manufacturer provides a Certificate of Design and Manufacturing Conformance signed and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer for each building and specific location. The certificate lists key design criteria for review by the code enforcement official, the Engineer of Record for the building and the owner.
Effective June 2003 the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) issued an addendum updating the list of referenced standards. One standard on this list is CAN/CSA-S16-01 Limit States Design of Steel Structures, which includes the following new requirement: Clause 28.7.2 Steel Building Systems: "Steel building systems shall be manufactured, …, by companies certified to the requirements of CAN/CSA-A660-M." When this addendum is adopted by a Provincial building code, it will become a mandatory requirement that all Steel Building System manufacturers shipping buildings into that province must be certified to A660.
The A660 program, and the Certificate of Design and Manufacturing Conformance, will help ensure that the steel building is a quality product that has been engineered in compliance with Canadian building codes. The completed Certificate of Design and Manufacturing Conformance, which is a requirement of the A660 program, will also assist the approval procedure by clearly listing the applicable design criteria and bearing the seal of a licensed Professional Engineer.
A list of certified manufacturers can be accessed through the web site of the Canadian Welding Bureau, Quasar certification division at http://www.cwbgroup.org/quasar/. Be advised this list can change frequently as new companies are certified.
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