ABC's of Metal Buildings

A

Steel Building Accessory – Any building product that can be added to a basic sheeted metal building, some examples are doors, windows, skylights, ventilators and such.

ACI – American Concrete Institute. This is the organization that developed the recognized building codes for design of concrete structures used by the majority of the building industry.

AISI –American Iron and Steel Institute

AISC –American Institute of Steel Construction

AISE- American Iron and Steel Engineers

Aluminum Coated Steel – Steel that has been coated with aluminum for corrosion protection

ANSI- American National Standards Institute

Anchor Bolts- In a steel structure these are the bolts used to anchor the structural members to the foundation or other support. This term normally refers to the bolts at the bottom of all columns and door jambs.

Approval Drawings- Approval Drawings can include framing drawings, elevations and sections through the building as furnished by the manufacturer for approval by the purchaser. Approval from the purchaser confirms that the manufacturer has properly represented the overall contract specifications for the steel building system and its accessories, and the exact location of accessories in the metal building structure.

Architectural Drawings- A set of architectural plans that show the entire plan view and/or elevations of the finished steel building with the purpose of showing the general appearance of the building including all accessory locations.

ASCE- American Society of Civil Engineers

Astragal- A closure between the two leaves of a double slide or double swing door to close the joint.

Automatic Welding- A welding procedure that utilizes a machine in order to make one continuous, unbroken weld.

Auxiliary Loads- All specified dynamic live loads other than the basic design loads that the steel building must safely withstand, such as cranes, material handling systems, machinery, elevators, vehicles and impact loads.

Awning Window- A window where the vent, or vents, pivot outward about the top edge giving the effect of an awning.

AWS- American Welding Society

B

Base Angle- A steel angle piece that is secured to the perimeter of the foundation to support and close wall panels.

Base Plate- A steel plate that is secured to the base of a column that rests upon the foundation or other support, normally secured by anchor bolts.

Bay- The space between the frame center lines or primary steel members in the longitudinal direction of the building.

BBC-Basic Building Codes (see BOCA)

Beam- A primary steel member, normally horizontal, that is subjected to bending loads. There are three types of steel beams: simple, continuous, and cantilever.

Beam and Column- A primary steel structural system consisting of a series of rafter beams that are supported by columns, often used as the end frame of a steel building system.

Bearing Plate- A steel plate that is set on the top of a masonry support on which a beam or purlin can rest.

Bent- The primary member of a steel structural system.

Bill of Materials- A list of components or items used for fabrication, shipping, receiving and accounting purposes in association with a steel building project.

Bird Screen- Wire mesh that is used to prevent birds from entering a structure through ventilators and louvers.

Blind Rivet- A small headed pin with expandable shank for joining light gauge metal, normally used to attach flashing, gutters, etc...

Block or Board Thermal Insulation- Rigid or semi-rigid thermal insulation preformed into rectangular units.

BOCA- Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc.

Bonded Roof- A roof which carries a written warranty with respect to weather-tightness for a stipulated number of years.

Brace Rods- Rods or Cables used in the steel building roof and walls to transfer loads, such as wind loads, and seismic and crane thrust to the foundation. (Also, often used to plumb buildings but not designed for the purpose of replacing erection cables.)

Bracket- A Structural support projecting from a wall or column to be used to fasten another structural member. Examples are canopy brackets, lean-to brackets, and crane runway brackets.

Bridge Crane- A load lifting system consisting of a hoist that moves laterally on a beam, girder, or bridge which then moves longitudinally on a track made of beams and rails. Loads can be moved to any point within a rectangle formed by the bridge span and runway length.

BTU (British Thermal Unit) – The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Builder/Contractor – A general contractor or sub-contractor responsible for providing and erecting steel building systems.

Building Code –Regulations established by a recognized agency describing design loads, procedures, and construction details for structures. Usually applying to designated political jurisdictions such as city, county, state or parish codes.

Built-Up Roofing- A roof covering made up of alternating layers of tar and asphaltic materials.

Built-Up Section- A structural member, usually an “I” section, made from individual flat plates welded together.

Butt Plate –The end plate of a structural member usually used to rest against a like plate of another member in forming a connection. Sometimes called a split plate or bolted end plate.

C

“C” Section – A member formed from steel sheet in the shape of a block “C”, that may be used either singularly or back to back.

Camber- A predetermined curvature designed into a structural member to offset the anticipated deflection when loads are applied.

Canopy- Any overhanging or projecting roof structure with the extreme end usually unsupported.

Cantilever- A projecting beam that is supported and restrained on one end only.