CSSBI - Commercial Lightweight Steel Framing

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Commercial Lightweight Steel Framing

Although "Steel" may conjure up images of a heavy, cumbersome material for construction, Lightweight Steel Framing (LSF) from coated sheet steel products is just the opposite. Cold-formed sheet steel is an easy to handle, economical, non-combustible, high quality alternate to more traditional framing materials. Steel framing offers a strong, accurate, dimensionally stable and durable framing system. Lightweight steel framing will appeal to any one interested in building construction.

Steel has been in use for over 100 years in the North American Construction market. While it is often associated with skyscrapers and bridges, steel is emerging as the material of choice for industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) buildings. Lightweight steel framing (LSF) is an increasing popular choice in low to medium rise structures such as schools, shopping malls, box stores, stacked row houses, hotels, assisted care residencies and office buildings. LSF is used in the wall, floor and roof assemblies in buildings from one to six stories in height. LSF alone can provide all necessary structural elements or it can be used in combination with other materials for greater building diversity and scope.

New Publication: Lightweight Steel Framing Design Manual - 2nd Edition

This manual (232 pages) was prepared to assist the practicing engineer to design Lightweight Steel Framing (LSF) systems, and was written with a focus on the fundamental principles of cold formed steel design as they relate to LSF construction. It shows how to use the LSF manufacturer's product literature when executing the design of building systems. By following the examples provided, the engineer will gain an understanding of the design process for LSF. This 2nd edition has been updated to meet the requirements of the 2005 National Building Code of Canada and CSA-S136-01 (with 2004 supplement) Specification for the Design of COld-Formed Steel Structural Members.
Price: $35.00 CDN

Please follow the link to our publications at the top of the page to order your own copy.

SPECIAL NOTE! Please click here to download the Errata #1 for the Lightweight Steel Framing Design Manual - 2nd Edition.

Fire Performance and Acoustic Ratings

The design of buildings often requires that the assemblies have minimum fire endurance or sound attenuation properties. The Canadian Steel Construction Council and the Steel Framing Alliance have published a compilation document on fire and acoustic ratings titled "Guide to Fire & Acoustic Data for Steel Floor and Wall Assemblies". Click here to download a copy.

The Canadian Steel Construction Council has also developped the following Fire Protection Bulletins pertaining to cold-formed steel. Click on the title to download.

There are also two ULC listings for fire resistance ratings of generic LSF floor assemblies:

LSF non-combustible floor assembly (BXUVC.I523)
LSF combustible floor assembly (BXUVC.M511)

It is important to check with ULC when using the listings to ensure you have the latest design and do not miss any revisions/updates.

LSF Generic Detail Drawings

The following files contain generic details for lightweight steel framing assemblies to download in PDF format.

The following ZIP Folders contain generic details for lightweight steel framing assemblies to download in .DWG format.

Advantages of Lightweight Steel Framing

Steel has a long record of use in construction due to its strength, durability and economy. Lightweight steel framing brings these attributes plus many others to the ICI marketplace. Consider the following:

Economy: LSF historically has been less expensive than competing forms of construction. LSF is manufactured from sheet steel on continuous roll forming mills at high speed. Since the process is fast, there is less need to carry manufactured product in stock. Factory panelization, described below, further improves economy.

Architecturally Attractive & Flexible: With LSF, the designer has extensive choices of finishes to achieve the desired aesthetics for the project. Some of the exterior wall finishes commonly combined with LSF are:

Prefinished metal panels
Portland cement plaster (stucco) on metal lath
Exterior insulation and finish (EFIS) systems
Brick, stone, ceramic tile and concrete veneers
Prefinished plywood

Lightweight Construction: “Lightweight” is in the product name for a reason. Roll-formed LSF sections have a higher strength to weight ratio and, therefore, are lighter than wood or masonry of comparable size. This means less building mass. This has a positive impact on the building’s seismic resistance, it may allow economical spread footing foundations and it may also allow upward expansion in a building originally not designed for an extra floor. In curtain wall construction, where weight affects the proportioning of spandrels, columns and footings compare the weight of steel construction with masonry backup and precast concrete.

Ease of Assembly: LSF is easily handled in the shop and field. Many roll formed sections can be moved and lifted by hand or by low capacity mechanical lifts, possibly allowing smaller and less expensive job site hoisting equipment.

Panelization: Wall, floor and roof panels can be easily and quickly assembled in a factory-type setting or on site. Panelizing using hydraulic seating of the LSF members will assure minimal settling and allow the use of self-drilling screws for connections. Field erection of factory assembled panels is generally more timely and efficient compared to wet masonry. LSF panels can be easily highway transported limited only by length and width restrictions not load limits. Controlled factory or site panelizing along with the inherently stable and accurate steel sections enhances construction quality.

Faster Construction: Cold weather is not an issue with LSF and so the construction season can be extended into the full year. This combined with the use of panelizing will enhance more timely tenant/owner occupancy.

Non-Combustibility & Fire Resistant: Steel is a non-combustible material and will not add fuel to a building fire. As such, LSF is permitted in a greater number of occupancies with less floor area restrictions and sprinkler system requirements compared to combustible construction according to the National Building Code of Canada. Some insurance underwriters may recognize the benefit of non-combustibility in reduced premiums. Many floor and wall assemblies made from LSF have been tested and several additional designs have achieved significant fire ratings.

Durable: With its high strength and protective coatings, LSF is impressively durable. Standard coatings on LSF in properly constructed, environmentally controlled buildings will perform over one hundred years and more.

Reliable & Healthy: LSF is a reliable product that will not shrink, warp, swell, creep or otherwise move which enhances and maintains construction quality. LSF is non-organic and so cannot rot or support unhealthy infestations of mold and fungus growth. LSF is not hospitable to nor will vermin such as termites and rodents damage it.

Thermal Performance & Vapour Control Solutions: LSF when combined with other materials will make economic and efficient building envelope systems for the effective control of thermal transfer and moisture movement. The CSSBI publications provide guidance and solutions for these building science issues.

Almost Limitless Design Freedom: LSF can be used for almost any building construction. LSF in ground floor exterior axial load bearing walls is limited to about six building storeys; however, this limit is continually expanding with advances in roll forming manufacturing. Span lengths will vary by section size i.e. with the depth and thickness of steel member.