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.

Energy Code Compliance for Metal Buildings
If your local jurisdiction allows the use of COMcheck to demonstrate energy code compliance, showing compliance for metal buildings can be much easier than you may have thought. The COMcheck software has precalculated assembly U-factors for metal buildings for:

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.

Systems-engineered metal buildings
More than 50 percent of industrial buildings in steel erection are systems-engineered. These metal structures use different types of steel members and a different erection process than typical steel erection. They also present certain unique hazards, such as those associated with anchor bolts, construction loads, and double connections.