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metalconstructionnews.com

“The SFIA will unify our industry and help make all our businesses more successful through a number of initiatives. The SFIA will advocate on behalf of companies in the Cold Formed Steel Framing Industry to expand the market through code compliance, promotion, education and innovation,” said SFIA interim President Bill Courtney (ClarkWestern Building Systems).

According to SFIA interim Vice President Kennon Whaley (Southeastern Stud & Components, Inc.), “SFIA will be an inclusive, industry‐wide association because membership is open to CFS product manufacturers, steel mills, coil coaters, steel coil suppliers, connector and accessory manufacturers, panel and truss manufacturers, equipment and tool manufacturers, supplier/distributor yards, design professionals and contractors.”

“SFIA will also provide peace of mind to all stakeholders in the CFS industry by implementing an independent third‐party code compliance certification program for exterior and interior framing products in early 2011. The program is open to the more than 70 CFS product manufacturers and will ensure that products produced by SFIA manufacturing members meet all applicable building codes. Also, SFIA is planning to develop an independent third‐party code compliance certification program for framing accessories,” stated SFIA interim Secretary John Roberts (Dietrich Metal Framing).

According to SFIA interim Treasurer Ray Frobosilo (Super Stud Building Products, Inc.), “We feel that SFIA will be in the best position to promote innovation and improve competition with lumber and masonry products, and will be in an excellent position to fund important research.”

SFIA will be guided by a Board of Directors that will meet a minimum of two times each year, once in fall and once at AWCI’s Convention & INTEX Expo. The Board of Directors and Officers will be elected at the first membership meeting on April 5, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. The board consists of four officers, two small, two medium and two large CFS product manufacturers, one steel mill, one supplier/distributor and one contractor.

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In the past, steel buildings were mainly used for large-scale industrial sites. However, metal construction is increasing in popularity for smaller structures like schools, churches, retail stores and private residential homes. Until recently, the lack of curb appeal and versatility was the reason many would not consider metal for anything other than commercial steel buildings. Today, these aspects are much more attractive and the affordability and durability are recognized and sought after. Siding, brick, stucco and additional options can now be used for the exterior. These options are well-insulated, easy to maintain and the construction time has a much smaller window than traditional options. They also cost much less than stick-built homes of the same size and quality.

Steel buildings are also extremely versatile in the framing. These can be framed to look exactly like traditional houses or have a vast open floor plan with few interior walls. Pole construction used while building makes the walls non-load bearing, so the poles support the weight of the walls, allowing for large open spaces. These can create dramatic, wide open areas for entryways, living rooms and kitchens but smaller rooms can be contained for bedrooms and bathrooms. There are also much cheaper framing costs.

Some individuals are also choosing prefabricated building kits for the ease of assembly and additional cost savings. This option has the structure partially assembled when they are shipped to the lot. Since a lot of the assembly is completed at the manufacturing site, the construction is quicker and costs less.
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erectors.com

I am now receiving more requests for jobsite metal building systems analysis, consultation and consulting directives than ever before in my 23 years of metal building erecting. It has finally gotten to the point, I have to write this article in hopes those persons seeking to purchase metal building systems and related services on line would heed some warnings that are actually very easy to identify.
I have been in the steel building industry over 23 years and have gone to great lengths to gain knowledge and the experience of good erection practices including erecting procedures for many different styles and designs of metal building systems. I am a certified erector of many national accounts and warranted work for at least five of the top ten metal building manufacturers in the World.

Example: Recently I had been asked to fly out to a particular jobsite in South Carolina to review and consult on the metal building system used and the quality of installation procedures and techniques used to perfect this project.

Upon arriving onsite I witnessed a completely devastated jobsite! There were two individuals trying frantically to install the last piece of corner trim, which was apparent to me that the wall paneling was so far out of plumb that the standard corner trim was not going to fit no matter how many times they put it up, took it down, cut on it or shrank/stretched it!

As I toured the jobsite I was taken back by the poor quality of workmanship. For example, as I began to enter the building through one of the three 12’ wide framed-openings, I was suddenly stopped by the sight of the wall paneling next to the jamb of this framed-opening! I noticed that at the base, the panel high-rib split or was centered on the jamb trim, then looking up, realized the cut at the top was somewhere in the middle of the “low” of the panel at the Jamb-to-header connection. As a professional, who could possibly think this acceptable!

There where many other items after review that could be considered unfixable or damaging to the integrity of this structure. All of this could have been avoided and the project brought in on time and on budget by a qualified professional erecting company.

After conferring with the owner on my observations, he then disclosed to me that he had already paid the full cost of erection to the “so called erector” and that he was a little upset at the fact that they weren’t completely finished at this time………… How do you respond to that? Situations like this bring to mind questions; does the erector carry liability insurance? How about Workmen’s Comp? The most important question that should be asked is ARE THEY QUALIFIED?!

I have recently been on projects that were supplied by internet manufacturers, many of their names I have never heard of. These are regions of the country that are well known for high winds, code requires that permitted structures be designed for the appropriate wind loads. This particular structure was located in an area that is required by code to have a 120 mph wind load. After review of the provided prints it was noted that this said structure was designed with a 75 mph wind load as well as not being designed for any other code requirements for that region. The reason I was contacted is that during the erection process a storm had come in and winds with gust of 60 mph had damaged the structure. The wind had made the first three bays in this 300’ long building start to compress and had dramatically bowed-out all the purlins and girts by 2’ to 5’, even though all of the required Brace rod, Lap bolts and Flange bracing had been installed. In short, it wasn’t Erector error it was a complete failure in the design!

I could speak about many other cases but I hope you get the point! The Pre-Engineered Building System is a fabulous building medium and has been proven over time in almost every environment. It is one of the most durable, economical, efficient and quality accountable systems, dollar for dollar in the World. It should always have a successful and predictable out-come.

If I could only remind people of the most basic of good business practices; “References!” check them, before you even start! There are systems of accreditation, specification and procedure responsibilities that can be used in qualifying The Metal Building System and Erector you’re planning to purchase and/or contract with.

My observations and experience has taught that “You pay for what you get!” if someone or something is dramatically lower in cost than everyone else. BEWARE; they usually are for a reason; Liability insurance, Bond ability, Workman’s compensation, Work history and of course.. References!

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erectors.com

The Metal Construction Association (MCA), expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, technology, and education, has recently taken steps to make architects, architectural students, universities, and builders more aware of benefits of insulated metal panels (IMP), a type of paneling that will be known for its efficiency, high performance, reduced erection time and coordination, thermal performance, and aesthetics.
First, insulated metal panels are installed outboard of a metal stud cavity or other support system, minimizing thermal short circuits. Secondly, the panels incorporate a metal air and vapor barrier, eliminating other materials and construction trade coordination. Third, insulated metal panels provide highly efficient insulation in a small space. Fourth, the panels also provide a metal aesthetic exterior in a variety of sizes shapes, and colors. Superior thermal performance of insulated metal panels shadows standard wall construction practices and how they meet current and pending thermal code guidelines.

“Architects and contractors need to know, not only about the IMP, but also about the limitations of current wall construction methods, new thermal codes requirements, and how to build a quality exterior metal wall system,” said Scott Kriner, MCA spokesperson.

Recognition by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) of the shortcomings of insulated metal stud cavities, along with increased thermal performance requirements, has illuminated IMP as a uniquely efficient solution.

“Insulated metal panels have been manufactured for over 30 years, yet unlike other construction materials, knowledge of the benefits and uses of this product are limited in the architectural community,” remarked Kriner. “Now, with new energy codes and moisture control concerns, insulated metal panels provide a unique high performance solution in a compact product, eliminating other materials and reducing field labor.”

Insulated metal panels were one of the first exterior wall systems to install insulation outside of the support system without compromising thermal performance. Now, other systems are attempting to find similar answers, but must contend with various trades, insulation material efficiency, thermal short circuits and fire code acceptance. Currently, IMP systems are one of the few that meet all the performance criteria with minimal compromising.

“It is a product with a rich history, but made to meet and exceed the requirements of the future,” finished Kriner.

About Metal Construction Association (MCA)
Founded in 1983, MCA strives to expand the use of metal in construction through marketing, technology, and education. As a metal in construction industry organization, MCA’s members can develop and implement both macro and micro programs and activities to promote the use of metal in construction. MCA offers its members a unique opportunity in focusing industry efforts to increase the use of metal through innovation. For more information, visit www.metalconstruction.org.

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realestaterama.com

Chicago, IL – May 9, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Fourteen structural steel building projects have earned national recognition in the 2011 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2). Conducted annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the IDEAS2 awards recognize outstanding achievements in engineering and architecture on steel-framed building projects throughout the U.S. The award is the highest honor bestowed on building projects by the structural steel industry in the U.S.The winning projects will be recognized on May 11 during AISC’s 2011 NASCC: The Steel Conference in Pittsburgh. A panel of design and construction industry professionals identified National and Merit winners in three categories, based on constructed value: projects less than $15 million; projects $15 million to $75 million; and projects greater than $75 million. In addition, the panel awarded a Presidential Award of Excellence to one project for structural engineering accomplishment.
Covering an array of project types including an airport terminal, a boutique office tower in Manhattan, a modern horse ranch in Texas, an action-sport trampoline facility, two power plant adaptive reuse facilities, and a tranquil park trail restroom, this year’s IDEAS2 winners demonstrate the flexible and effective solutions provided by structural steel on a wide variety of building projects. Each project was judged on its use of structural steel, with an emphasis on creative solutions to project requirements; design innovation; aesthetic and visual impact of the project; innovative use of architecturally exposed structural steel; technical or architectural advances in the use of the steel; the use of innovative design and construction methods; and sustainable design and construction.
The 14 IDEAS2 winners were chosen from nearly 100 submissions received from architectural and engineering firms throughout the U.S. The 2011 award-winning projects include:
Projects Less Than $15 Million
National Award: Rio Roca on the Brazos religious facility, Palo Pinto, Texas
National Award: Buckner Companies Home Office, Graham, N.C.
National Award: Cutting Horse Ranch facility, North Texas
Merit Award: The Power Plant at Rocketts Landing commercial adaptive reuse, Richmond, Va.
Merit Award: Montecito Residence, Montecito, Calif.
Merit Award: House of Air commercial adaptive reuse, Presidio Building 926, San Francisco
Merit Award: Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail Restroom, Austin, Texas
Projects $15 Million to $75 Million
National Award: New Gateway Building, Westchester Community College, Valhalla, N.Y.
National Award: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Research Support Facility, Golden, Colo.
National Award: Hypar Pavilion at Lincoln Center, New York

Projects Greater than $75 Million
National Award: Mineta San Jose International Airport Terminal B and Concourse, San Jose, Calif.
National Award: National Alabama Corporation Railcar Manufacturing Facility, Cherokee, Ala.
Merit Award: 510 Madison Avenue, New York
Presidential Award of Excellence in Engineering
Ottawa Street Power Station commercial adaptive reuse, Lansing, Mich.
Roger E. Ferch, P.E., president of AISC, commented, “The 2011 IDEAS2 winners demonstrate that innovation and creativity can be found on building projects of every size and description. Steel continues to provide excellent solutions for the entire design and construction team, from architects, engineers and developers to fabricators, erectors, and general contractors. Congratulations to the award-winning teams for projects that combine creativity, economy, and technical achievement through the use of structural steel.”

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March 3, 2011, Glenview, IL — The Metal Construction Association (MCA) recognized its 2010 President’s Award winners at its Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA in late January. The MCA President’s Awards are an annual designation given to outstanding building projects involving MCA member companies. The Awards honor innovation and creativity while showcasing how metal products help achieve exceptional building designs.

Each year, recipients are selected from projects submitted by MCA members to Metal Architecture Magazine’s annual Design Awards Program. This year, the honorees were chosen by an experienced panel of architects and an engineer. The panel consisted of:

-Elaine Fitzgerald, CSI, CDT, former project architect for Goettsch Partners, Chicago, IL. Ms. Fitzgerald is a registered architect with experience in commercial, higher education and high rise building design. She is an active member of the Construction Specifications Institute and Illinois Landmarks.
-Andrew M. Koglin, AIA, president of OKW Architects, Chicago, IL. Mr. Koglin has over 25 years experience with residential, retail, institutional and office buildings. Currently, he directs OKW’s retail and mixed-use project group.

-James C. Tuschall, president and CEO of Tuschall Engineering Company Inc., Burr Ridge, IL. Mr. Tuschall has 34 years of experience at Tuschall Engineering, an installer, fabricator and distributor of metal wall panels. He is active in MCA, serving as chairman of the Wall Panel Council and a member of the MCA Board of Directors.

The MCA President’s Awards were given in five categories: Overall Excellence, Roofing, Commercial-Industrial, Municipal-Institutional, and Residential. MCA also honored four projects with an Honorable Mention Award for each project’s unique or exceptional application.

The projects that received their respective 2010 President’s Awards were:

-Overall Excellence: Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. MCA member manufacturers are Contrarian Metal Resources; Firestone Building Products; and Umicore Building Products.
-Roofing: Firecreek Restaurant, Downingtown, PA. Petersen Aluminum is the MCA member manufacturer.

-Commercial-Industrial: River Crossing Corporate Center, Tucson, AZ. MCA member manufacturer is Morin: A Kingspan Group Company.

-Municipal-Institutional: Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phase 2, Phoenix, AZ. Firestone Metal Products is the MCA member manufacturer.

-Residential: BeauSoleil Home, Lafayette, LA. MCA member manufacturer is MBCI.

The following four projects were acknowledged with an Honorable Mention Award:

-Child Saving Institute, Omaha, NE, for its retrofit application. MCA member manufacturers are Alpolic and Centria.
-Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, Cambridge, MA for exceptional use of sunscreens. The member fabricator is Doralco Architectural Metals.

-St. Bernard Parish Fire Station No. 7, Violet, LA for application of traditional profile panel. The member manufacturers are Kingspan Benchmark and Morin: A Kingspan Group Company.

-Piedmont College Arrendale Amphitheater, Demorest, GA for its unique overhang application. The MCA Member manufacturer is Alcoa Architectural Metals.

Overall Excellence: Art Gallery of Alberta

The Art Gallery of Alberta is a new visual arts center located in the city’s arts and government core in downtown Edmonton, Alberta. The building’s architectural design formally and philosophically extends out into the community, welcoming visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience contemporary art firsthand. The 84,000-square-foot building was opened to the public in January, 2010.

The MCA judging panel was impressed with the materials used for the curved linear design that changes throughout the day and cited this project as an exceptional example of excellent workmanship.

Crafted of 60,000 square feet of zinc with a quartzite backing from Umicore Building Products, 50,400 square feet of coil applied bead blast stainless steel from Contrarian Metal Resources, 22,500 square feet of painted aluminum from Firestone Building Products and high performance glazing; the building has a timeless appearance and extraordinary durability in the northern climate.

A. Zahner Company designed, engineered and fabricated both the metal panels installed on the facades and all of the robust and very curvilinear forms — using their patented structural aluminum ZEPPS system. All ZEPPS, stainless and zinc panels were fabricated and delivered to installation contractor Flynn Canada by A. Zahner. Ledcor Construction Ltd. was the lead contractor.

Designed by Randall Stout Architects, Inc., the materials selected for the building were designed to create a dramatic quality that allows the building to transform along with its natural surroundings.

Roofing: Firecreek Restaurant

This project involved a massive renovation of the historic Brandywine Paper Mill located on the Brandywine River. Built in the early 1800′s, the low-lying 6,200 sq. ft. fieldstone building was first a sawmill and then a paper mill. The recently completed Phase 1 includes the Firecreek Restaurant & Bar and several condo units in an adjoining three-story building. Building owner SHDC Papermill Associates, LP used a contemporary design that incorporates huge gears and bull-wheels from the long-dormant printing operation, as well as the original steel roof trusses.

According to the MCA judges, the two roof types and finishes chosen are a nice compliment to the historic stone building.

Carroll Build Design chose 3,700 sq. ft. 24 gauge Galvalume Plus High Snap-On Panels and 2,240 sq. ft. 16 oz. 1/2′ Copper Corrugated Panels from Petersen Aluminum for the roof. Munn Roofing was the installer and the contractor was Carroll Contractors.

Commercial-Industrial: River Crossing Corporate Center

River Crossing Corporate Center is a new two-story office development and the home office for the architectural and engineering firm, M3. One of the primary goals for River Crossing Corporate Center was to express, through the architecture of the new building, the nature of the work M3 does and be reflective of its client base. The aesthetic of ribbed metal cladding best fit this expression as a textural compliment to the exposed braced-framed steel building. Metal facing provides a sleek, strongly vertical surface to convey stability and strength.

The MCA judges were impressed with the palette of materials used and the thoughtful use of three different profiles — all integrated.

15,000 square feet of X-12-E Integrity Series Single skin, non-insulated panels from Morin: A Kingspan Group Company, were chosen by M3/Kappler LLC, the architect and building owner. The contractor was TBR Construction and Engineering and the metal installer was J.R. Tuttle Company.

Municipal-Institutional: Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation

The rapid growth of Arizona State University and the birth of their new downtown Phoenix campus create a special architectural and urban opportunity. This compact, five-story building, owned by the City of Phoenix, serves as the campus’ primary gateway on its marquee corner.

MCAs judging panel complemented the beautiful, well-detailed use of the copper panel system. To them, the building felt very lightweight and is a nice reflection of the unison between the university’s campuses.

The project demanded an affordable, no maintenance material that could blend with a series of existing and new buildings on campus.

The project architect, SmithGroup, specified more than 36,000 square feet of UNACLAD Architectural Grade Sheet Copper (AGSC) from Firestone Metal Products in three different profiles with a randomly repeating pattern to create texture and a play of light and shadow.

The general contractor was DPR Construction Inc. and the metal installer was Kovach, Inc.

Residential: BeauSoleil Home

The University of Louisiana in Lafayette wanted to produce an affordable prototype for a solar home. They made a conscious effort to make performance and affordability a high priority. Metal can resist up to 130 mph winds, which is completely necessary in an area such as Louisiana.

According to the judges, this entry shows the progression in the roofing market and the future of the industry with the use of photovoltaics.

The project used MBCI’s 16″ LokSeam in Slate Gray and PBC Corrugated profile in Galvalume. The university in the building owner and also served as the architect, general contractor and metal installer.

About the Metal Construction Association

The Metal Construction Association is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world. The association’s mission is to grow the use of metal through market development, education, technical programs and selective action on public policies that affect the use of metal in building projects.

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