Resources

Pole Building Design Training
This course instructs the trainee in the structural design of wood and metal post-frame buildings, including the main force-resisting system, bracing, components and cladding, and fasteners. The course follows the design process for pole buildings, beginning with standards and codes and determination of loads, through structural analysis and member selection, and concluding with foundation design. Both computer and hand methods of analysis are presented. The Allowable Stress Design (ASD) method is emphasized, but the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method is also covered. Additional related topics that can be included in the course are: prefabricated metal buildings, retaining wall design, slab on grade design, base plate and anchor bolt design, pressure treated wood, and construction quality assurance. Other topics related to structural design may be added to the course upon request of the hosting state.

Permitting Metal Buildings
Typical metal building procedures are to provide complete plans and specifications with application to construct any metal building. This includes the plans and specifications by the metal building manufacturer. In some cases, the contractor prefers not to submit the metal building manufacturer's plans until later in the process because of costs of obtaining these sealed plans from the manufacturer. In those cases, we will accept the architect's plans for the metal building with structural locations of steel supports and columns. All metal buildings will need to be inspected by a structural engineer or by the architect or engineer of record. A written report of this inspection must be signed and shall be submitted to the Building Inspector on site with the structural plans and any shop drawings, at time of framing inspection, prior to the concealing of any of the structural steel stipulating the following:

Metal Buildings FAQs
Why might a metal building with R-19 insulation not meet the energy code? What is a thermal bridge? What is a solution to thermal bridging? How can I easily show code compliance for metal buildings?

Storage Building Safety
Make all buildings safe. See that the stairs have handrails and the permanent ladders are in good condition. The areas near the stairs, and any other traffic patterns should be free from objects which could cause a fall. The floors should be free of debris. A little clean-up time could save a nasty fall. Regularly inspect and maintain floor boards. Replace soft or rotten ones. Check boards on upper stories for weak or rotten spots. Clean build-ups of dust, trash and spider webs. They can inter ere with the electrical system and cause problems.