Pre-Engineered Metal Building Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about PEMB planning, budgeting, design, engineering coordination, permitting, fabrication, delivery and erection for metal building projects throughout California.
Understanding the Metal Building Process
Pre-engineered metal buildings involve more than selecting a building size and ordering steel. Building use, dimensions, loads, openings, roof and wall systems, insulation, foundations, permitting, delivery and erection can all affect the final building system.
The answers below address many of the questions Northern State Steel receives from owners, developers, contractors and design teams during the planning and construction of California PEMB projects.
Pre-Engineered Metal Building Fundamentals
What is a pre-engineered metal building?
A pre-engineered metal building, commonly called a PEMB, is an engineered building system in which the primary framing, secondary framing, roof and wall components are designed to work together as a coordinated structural system. Each building is designed around its dimensions, intended use, site conditions, applicable loads and project requirements.
What types of projects are well suited for PEMB construction?
PEMB systems can be used for commercial and industrial facilities, warehouses, distribution buildings, manufacturing facilities, contractor shops, equipment and fleet buildings, agricultural facilities, aircraft hangars, storage buildings and other projects where efficient structural framing and flexible interior space are important.
Can a pre-engineered metal building be customized?
Yes. A PEMB can be designed around project-specific dimensions, eave heights, roof slopes, framed openings, overhead doors, personnel doors, canopies, roof and wall panels, insulation systems, equipment requirements and many other project conditions. The building system should be coordinated around the intended use rather than treated as a one-size-fits-all package.
Are PEMBs only used for simple warehouse buildings?
No. Although warehouses are a common PEMB application, modern metal building systems can support a wide range of commercial, industrial and specialty building designs. Architectural elements, varying wall systems, large openings, canopies and other features can be coordinated with the structural building system.
Getting the PEMB Team Involved Early
When should Northern State Steel become involved in a project?
Earlier is generally better. Involving the PEMB team during conceptual planning allows building dimensions, structural geometry, openings, loading requirements and system options to be considered before the project becomes difficult or expensive to change.
Can Northern State Steel help with preliminary PEMB budgeting?
Yes. Northern State Steel can assist with preliminary PEMB budgeting when enough project information is available to establish the basic building configuration and requirements. Early budgeting can help owners and project teams evaluate the building system before proceeding into detailed design. Request preliminary PEMB budget pricing for your project.
What information is helpful for preliminary pricing?
Helpful information includes project location, building width and length, eave height, roof slope, intended use, framed openings, overhead door sizes, roof and wall system preferences, insulation requirements and any special structural loads or equipment. Plans or conceptual drawings are helpful when available.
What affects the cost of a pre-engineered metal building?
Cost is affected by building size and geometry, steel market conditions, structural loads, eave height, roof slope, framed openings, panel systems, insulation, accessories, project location, freight, erection conditions and other project-specific requirements. For this reason, square-foot pricing should be used cautiously during early planning.
Coordinating the Building Before Fabrication
Does Northern State Steel provide PEMB design and engineering coordination?
Yes. Northern State Steel supports the PEMB process from early building-system planning and design through PEMB engineering coordination, approval drawings, engineered permit drawings and calculations, detailing and fabrication documentation associated with the contracted metal building scope.
Can Northern State Steel provide drawings for permitting?
Northern State Steel can provide engineered PEMB drawings and calculations associated with the metal building scope for permit submittal. The project's architect, engineer of record and other design professionals remain responsible for portions of the permit package outside the contracted PEMB scope, which may include architectural, civil, foundation, fire, energy and other project-specific documents. Northern State Steel coordinates its PEMB scope with the project design team as required.
Who designs the building foundation?
Foundation design is typically performed by the project's foundation engineer or engineer of record and is outside Northern State Steel's PEMB engineering scope unless specifically included by contract. Northern State Steel provides the PEMB reactions and applicable anchor-bolt information required for foundation design and coordinates with the project design team so the foundation and metal building systems can be properly integrated.
Can overhead doors and framed openings be coordinated with the PEMB?
Yes. Door dimensions, clearances, jamb locations, header elevations and other opening requirements should be identified during the building design process. Early coordination is especially important for large sectional doors, hangar openings and other specialty openings.
Can a PEMB be designed for cranes, solar or future equipment?
Project-specific structural requirements such as bridge cranes, future solar loading, suspended equipment and collateral loads can often be incorporated into the building design when identified early. These requirements should be established before engineering and fabrication whenever possible.
Planning a Larger Commercial or Industrial Project?
Northern State Steel works with owners, developers, contractors and design teams on commercial and industrial pre-engineered metal building projects throughout California. Early coordination can help align the PEMB system with the project's budget, design and construction requirements.
From Approved Design to the Jobsite
When does a metal building move into fabrication?
Fabrication follows completion of the required design, engineering, approval and release process. Project-specific requirements should be resolved before release because changes after release can affect cost and schedule.
How long does it take to fabricate a PEMB?
Lead times vary based on building type, complexity, plant workload, material availability and market conditions. Northern State Steel provides project-specific scheduling information as the building progresses toward fabrication rather than relying on a single standard lead time for every project.
How is the metal building delivered?
Building components are delivered to the project site by truck. Delivery planning should account for site access, truck movement, staging area and unloading requirements. These conditions should be discussed before delivery so the jobsite is prepared to receive the building package.
Building the PEMB in the Field
Does Northern State Steel provide metal building erection?
Yes. Northern State Steel provides PEMB erection services for projects throughout California. Depending on the project, NSS can support the building from early design and supply through delivery and field erection.
Does Northern State Steel provide material-only building packages?
Yes. Project scope can vary. Northern State Steel can provide PEMB material packages as well as projects that include erection. Project requirements and responsibilities should be clearly established during pricing and contracting.
What should be ready before PEMB erection begins?
Site access, foundations, anchor bolts, staging areas and other prerequisite work must be ready for the agreed erection scope. Project-specific requirements are coordinated before mobilization so crews and equipment can work safely and efficiently.
Does Northern State Steel install overhead doors?
Door scope depends on the project and contract. The PEMB can be designed with framed openings for overhead or sectional doors, and installation responsibilities should be confirmed during project pricing and scope development.
Working With Northern State Steel
Does Northern State Steel work throughout California?
Yes. Northern State Steel supports pre-engineered metal building projects throughout California, including Northern California, Sacramento and the Central Valley, the Bay Area and Central Coast, Fresno and Bakersfield markets, Southern California and other locations statewide.
Who does Northern State Steel work with?
Northern State Steel works with building owners, developers, general contractors, architects, engineers and other project team members. The role can vary depending on whether the project is in conceptual planning, design, permitting, procurement or construction.
How do I get started with Northern State Steel?
Start by sending Northern State Steel the project location, approximate building dimensions, intended use and any available plans or conceptual information. From there, we can determine the appropriate next step for preliminary planning, budgeting or project-specific pricing.
Let's Discuss Your Metal Building Project
Every PEMB project has different requirements. Send us your project information and Northern State Steel can help determine the appropriate next step.