What’s in a name? Some people call the buildings produced by Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) members PEMBs—pre-engineered metal buildings. We prefer to call them metal building systems. Why does this matter? If we want greater acceptance of our product by the design community, we need to have a common vocabulary, starting with what we call our product.
We’ve waited and lobbied and persisted, and now, finally, at long last we have great news! I am very pleased to report that metal building systems will be defined in Chapter 19 of the 2024 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC). This is significant because, for the first time, IBC will be providing a clear explanation of what constitutes a metal building system. This removes all confusion and speculation and helps architects and engineers to clearly differentiate between metal buildings and conventional steel construction. It also brings attention to metal building systems as an accepted structural solution comparable to other types of buildings that are constructed using wood, concrete, etc.
Please educate your own staff, consultants, clients, potential customers and your local code officials by sharing this important information with them.
Now, on to METALCON 2022
As you read this issue of Metal Construction News, you may be making notes to decide which sessions of METALCONyou intend to attend. I’d like to offer up a few suggestions.
First, don’t miss Robert Tiffin, national accounts manager for Silvercote, Greenville, S.C., and Tony Bouquot, general manager, MBMA, presenting MBS—A Creative Design Approach. This fun, interactive, perception-shattering session will explore the design potential of metal buildings systems and demonstrate their many high-performance benefits within a wide range of low-rise, nonresidential buildings. Bring your team, your clients and your industry friends and enjoy a high-energy, highly engaging look at the metal building universe.
Another session that will offer cutting-edge research is Under Pressure: An Update to Air Leakage Testing presented by Tiffin; Vincent E. Sagan, PE, senior staff engineer, MBMA; and David Tomchak, director of marketing for Bay Insulation Systems, Green Bay, Wis. Changes are underway for energy standards and building codes that will reduce air leakage limits and require testing to validate compliance. In most areas, whole-building air leakage testing is an alternative compliance path, but many states will soon require on-site testing of new buildings to affirm that the code leakage limits are met. This could have significant impacts on your metal building customers.
To understand the impact of these changes, MBMA—in collaboration with North American Insulation Manufacturers Association and the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association—performed detailed testing to determine how well metal buildings will comply with the new air leakage code requirements, and to analyze which elements of metal buildings could contribute to leakage. Come hear the test results and discover lessons learned from two professionals who witnessed the testing and fully vetted the results. You’ll come away with knowledge to help you ensure that your buildings and/or your clients’ buildings pass the test the first time.
And Guess What’s Next
Finally, I leave you with a word of caution as we move toward the final quarter of 2022. I believe it will be wise for all of us to take a look at what’s around the corner. Our industry has been blessed with plenty of work and a hefty backlog over the last year and a half; but the tonnage reported by members for metal buildings being shipped is seeing a plateau, if not a little softening. There has not been significant industry growth. As inflation continues, interest rates rise and costs increase, we need to plan for a potential dip in building sales and any subsequent impacts on metal building industry suppliers.
Paying close attention to leading and lagging indicators may be warranted. We must not become complacent because the metal building market has been strong. If you are an MBMA building systems member, I encourage you to inform yourself on the latest economic and other data applicable to our industry. An ounce of prevention and attention to detail will inevitably pay off.
Post time: Sep-26-2022