TABLE OF CONTENTS Time after time, those who specify metal building systems face the same troublesome issues that cause more than their share of problems. These issues deserve close attention of the specifiers. Most troubles are rooted in misunderstanding or miscommunication between the owner and the owner s design team on one side and the manufacturer and the builder on the other. Every one of this chapter s vignettes has been inspired by an actual not-so-pleasant occurrence. A brief review of metal building failures the ultimate problems completes our discussion.
Sometimes, metal building systems are specified for inappropriate applications, where their advantages cannot be fully utilized. The systems are best suited for large rectangular low-rise buildings, especially those that can benefit from metal panel walls and roofs (see Fig. 1.3 in Chap. 1). Still, time and again, pre-engineered structures are provided for small buildings with irregular layouts, complex roof shapes, and varied wall materials with the results mixed at best. Whenever such conditions apply, a rule of thumb puts a minimum footprint of the buildings suitable for pre-engineered construction at about 3000 sq.ft. While some smaller buildings have been successfully constructed, they might have been built even more economically with some other framing systems identified in Chap. 3.
To be sure, there are manufacturers that specialize in production of simple rectangular standalone metal buildings at very competitive prices. Our focus, however, is on custom-designed structures, perhaps with some special architectural features.
Manufacturers often find that small...
