Olympia Steel Buildings Weblog

Pre-engineered Steel Buildings Work For Public Works

Case Study: Pre-engineered Steel Buildings Work For Public Works - Oakland, MD

Many municipalities are deciding to build public works projects with pre-engineered steel buildings construction. After investigating all options and receiving multiple building and construction quotes, municipalities are finding that not only are steel buildings durable, but they are cost-effective and energy efficient.

This historic Maryland town found that after considering the cost of building materials and the total bill for construction, pre-engineered steel buildings and metal buildings systems can save up to 60% off conventional construction costs. Compared to conventional construction with brick, block or wood, time to completion can be surprisingly fast - only a matter of days for small buildings and just weeks for large construction projects.

This public works building in Oakland, Maryland uses pre-engineered steel building construction and is covered with a Zeus-Shield® standing seam metal roof. The steel building was constructed with minimal crew size and once the foundations were poured the metal building system went up quickly. Several different crews were able to work simultaneously to complete this public works complex in a timely fashion.

The clear span of the steel buildings interior space provides an unencumbered area, perfect for vehicle and equipment storage, maintenance, workspace and offices. The Zeus-Shield standing seam metal roof has a number of advanced features that make it the best in its category, supplying superior performance, wind and weather protection at minimal cost.

Olympia Steel Buildings Offers Zeus-Shield™ Standing Seam Architectural Metal Roof

The Zeus-Shield™ Architectural Standing Seam Roof System is a heavy-duty architectural or functional standing seam metal roof for covering pre-engineered steel buildings, metal building systems and other types of buildings where architectural appearance, water resistance, expansion/contraction and insulation efficiency are of prime importance.

Zeus-Shield’s Architectural Roof System for steel buildings and metal building systems is designed to be water resistant and have a long life expectancy when properly specified by a qualified metal buildings designer who is aware of the conditions normal to industrial buildings and commercial building roof installations. The steel buildings designer will analyze the requirements of the specific building being covered with the Architectural Roof System to determine if the features and limitations of the system will be compatible with the design requirements of the specific building.

The Architectural Roof System is intended primarily for architecturally driven commercial steel buildings with steeper single or double sloped rectangular roof areas. Architectural roofs can be applied to more complex roof configurations with proper consideration given to the potential for increased material and labor cost and potential erection problems resulting from the complexity of the parts and their installation.

The Architectural standing seam metal roof panel is better suited for special roof details than the Trapezoidal standing seam roof panel because it is an easier metal panel to seal and make weather tight at the ends or at slope and bevel cuts.

More complex roof configurations and non-rectangular configurations such as beveled eaves, beveled gables, hips and valleys, are designed similar to their rectangular counterparts with the exception of the transitions which require field cutting of the panel and special factory or field-fabricated flashing parts.  The Architectural Roof System is not recommended for arched roofs.

Changes in roof pitch require a transition joint or ridge between the different pitched roof sections. The transition joint may require provisions for expansion and contraction of one or both roof planes. The designer may be required to provide special secondary structural members to accommodate fixing the roof panels at locations other than the eave. Panels that run “over the eave” onto a mansard will require rib clips or covers.

Ask your Olympia Steel Buildings pre-engineered metal building designer for more information about Zeus-Shield™ standing seam metal roof systems. See how a Zeus-Shield standing seam metal roof can add value to your steel building construction.

Three Seaming Systems For Standing Seam Metal Building Roofs

The Zeus-Shield™ Standing Seam Roof System for Steel Buildings Uses Three Roof Seaming Methods:

1. The “RollLok” seam does not require an electrical seamer to complete the roof. All that is required to seam the “RollLok” seam is a hand seamer, used to crimp the seam at clip locations.  The “RollLok” seam provides greater uplift loads than any of the existing no-seamed metal roof systems.
2. The “TripleLok” seam is formed using an electrically powered seamer that forms a seam that will resist higher uplift loads than any seamed metal roof system on the market.
3. The “QuadLok” seam is used in very high wind load portions of seamed roofs for pre-engineered steel buildings or metal buildings systems where other roof systems would require narrower 2'-6" purlin spacing, narrower 18" wide panels, thicker 22 gauge panels or a combination of all of these options.

The “QuadLok” seam is formed by seaming over the “TripleLok” seam to further tighten and form an additional strengthening bend in the seam. The “QuadLok “ seam is typically used in areas of the roof that require extreme uplift resistance such as the corner and edge zones of roofs in high wind areas.

Standing Seam Roofs for Steel Buildings & Metal Building Systems

The aesthetic appeal of a roof seen from the street or above, including both steep-slope roofs and even low pitch roofs is important. Zeus-Shield™ “Architectural” and “Trapezoidal” standing steam metal roof systems for pre-engineered steel buildings and metal buildings systems are designed with aesthetics in mind for use in architectural or functional applications where both appearance and weather resistance are primary concerns. Many metal standing seam roof systems may have a similar appearance but have major differences in performance. Zeus-Shield standing seam metal roof systems have many advantages over other roof systems, offer excellent weather resistance and are practically maintenance free.

Zeus-Shield’s Architectural and Trapezoidal standing seam metal roof systems are adaptable for use on new construction or as a replacement roof for existing buildings where weather resistance and architectural appearance are the most important design considerations.

The Classic “Trapezoidal” standing seam metal roof system for pre-engineered steel buildings and metal buildings systems is a heavy-duty roof system intended for use where water resistance, expansion/contraction and insulation efficiency are of prime importance. This metal roof system is designed primarily for industrial buildings and commercial steel buildings roofs with single or double-sloped rectangular areas, but can be used for more complex roof configurations as well.

The minimum allowable roof slope is .5:12 as standard; the maximum allowable roof slope is 6:12 as standard, based on general and typical roof applications.

Both “Trapezoidal” and “Architectural” roof systems consist of metal panels joined together by Zeus-Shield’s patented factory-formed interlocking seam, and are easily assembled and seamed in the field.

The roof panels are Galvalume coated steel, the strongest, most durable and maintenance free of practical roof materials, with proven weather resistance. Roof panels are available in nine Trinar® Cool Chemistry® Series color coatings with a 35-year limited warranty, providing long-lasting weather protection. These remarkable color coatings contain ceramic pigments that reflect infrared energy while absorbing visible light so the roof retains its richness of color while keeping your steel building 20 degrees cooler in the hot sun. The steel panels are impervious to moisture and resist falling objects and roof traffic better than other commonly used roofing materials. They resist live load and wind uplift without the complexity and cost of additional sub-framing that most other roofing systems require.

Olympia Steel Buildings Announces Recent Building Projects

Olympia Steel Buildings is proud to announce the completion of these recent building projects:

• Indoor little league baseball facility in Trenton, Colorado


• 27,500 square foot industrial building in Eastern New Mexico


• Cold Region Test Center in Ft. Greely, Alaska


• 5,600 square foot Baptist Church in Montezuma, Indiana


• 3,000 Square foot Equipment rental Building in Morgantown, West Virginia

Let us know if you have a pre-engineered steel building or prefab metal building project, either current or past, that you would like to see highlighted on www.OlympiaBuildings.com or on our corporate blog! We love to hear from you about your building projects, and we love to receive your building photos too! In fact, all of the building photos and videos on our website are projects we have completed, photos and videos provided courtesy of our large and growing contingent of loyal, happy customers. 

Building Specifications For Steel Buildings Updated

Architects, engineers, developers and specification writers throughout the United States are converting non-residential building specifications for steel buildings from AISC-MB criteria to IAS AC472 for qualified metal building manufacturers. IAS AC472 replaces the AISC-MB certification program that has provided third-party certification for pre-engineered steel buildings and metal building system manufacturers since 1989. IAS (International Accreditation Service) AC472 is a new high quality standard written specifically for the metal buildings industry in cooperation with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association.

“We are pleased and proud that the manufacturing facility for Olympia Steel Buildings®, a Metal Building Manufacturers Association member, has achieved IAS AC472 certification. It is a big accomplishment and everyone involved is to be commended for their hard work and commitment to quality control and quality assurance,” says Arnold Davis, Company President.

“Because pre-engineered steel buildings and metal building systems are manufactured at facilities generally remote from the erection site,” explains Davis, “building elements such as structural steel members, secondary members and welding processes must be inspected and verified as being in compliance with the IAS AC472 code during the manufacturing process. The steel building factory is doing just that each and every day for every building they manufacture and ship out of the plant – that is the level of their commitment to quality control and manufacturing a quality building product.”

“What this means is that Olympia Steel Buildings will continue to provide our customers with the same high quality pre-engineered steel buildings, competitively priced and now fully IAS AC472 certified!”

About IAS
The International Accreditation Service (IAS), a recognized accreditation body in the United States since 1975, is a non-profit, public benefit corporation. IAS accredits testing and calibration laboratories, inspection agencies, building departments, fabricator inspection programs and IBC special inspection agencies. IAS accreditation is internationally recognized as a mark of consumer confidence and product quality.

About MBMA
The Metal Building Manufacturer’s Association (MBMA) provides engineering leadership through sponsorship of research programs used to improve the performance, efficiency and quality of metal building systems and to elevate the technology used to produce them. The Metal Building Manufacturer’s Association membership represents more than $2.9 billion in annual shipments and accounts for approximately 43% of the total non-residential low-rise construction market in the United States.

Olympia Steel Buildings Metal Building Manufacturer IAS AC472 Certified

Olympia Steel Buildings metal building manufacturer has become the 16^th manufacturing facility to successfully complete and pass the new IAS AC472 certification and accreditation requirements and become approved and recognized for full manufacturing and engineering accreditation.

Architects, Engineers, Developers and specification writers throughout the United States are converting non-residential building specifications for metal buildings from AISC-MB criteria to IAS AC472 for qualified metal building manufacturers. IAS AC472 replaces the AISC-MB certification program that has provided third-party certification for metal building system manufacturers since 1989. IAS (International Accreditation Service) AC472 is a new high quality standard written specifically for the metal building industry in cooperation with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association.

What this means is that Olympia Steel Buildings will continue to provide you with the same high quality pre-engineered steel buildings, competitively priced and now fully certified!

Before You Spend Thousands On A Pre-Engineered Steel Building ...

Before you spend thousands on a pre-engineered steel or prefab metal building … Don't be fooled by the old saying that all metal buildings are the same. They are not. When it comes to building construction, stronger is better. That's why steel buildings are so popular. But not all buildings are created equal. Let Olympia Steel Buildings show you how our unmatched quality and customer service set our buildings apart from all the rest. Before purchasing a steel building or starting construction review the features, benefits, and quality that are part of every Olympia Steel Building.

First you need to know the facts. Straight wall steel I-beam construction is a flexible and affordable way of meeting your building needs. Steel metal buildings are virtually maintenance free, are fire-resistant, impervious to corrosion and rust and can reduce insurance, heating and cooling costs up to 30% compared with conventional building construction. Computerized pre-engineering allows a metal building to be customized to your exact specifications and assembled and maintained with ease, and you can save you up to 50% off the cost of a stick-building or conventional construction with traditional building materials.

Knowledge is power and an educated consumer is our best customer. Educate yourself, investigate, check and compare when selecting a steel building supplier. We want you to be completely satisfied as to price and quality.

Know your building codes. Because of the wide variations throughout the country in loading and zoning requirements and environmental conditions, including snow, wind, and seismic, it is up to you as the customer to confirm that the metal building about to be purchased conforms to all codes and is adequate to withstand local environmental conditions. You can find your local code information on your own by calling your local building department and telling them that you would like to build a metal building at the given location. Or you can do it the easy way and call Olympia Steel Buildings.

Olympia Steel Buildings can engineer and supply building components to meet your special requirements whatever they may be. We are a Pittsburgh-based company shipping Nationwide and have engineers certified in every state. Upon request Olympia Steel Buildings will find out your local buildings codes for you and determine whether a particular building will meet those codes.