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Often, many consumers considering the purchase of a steel building are confused about the significance of building codes and the purpose of drawings for their proposed project. The aim of this article is to help answer some of those questions. A building permit is generally required before the erection of any steel building. An exception is made for agricultural buildings because many of them are in remote areas and/or outside of the city or township’s jurisdiction. You should check with a local building inspector to see if a steel building will be permitted at the intended site before purchasing the building from any company.
Most steel building companies or suppliers will represent the minimum specification requirements as being sufficient to conform to any permitting process. This is not always satisfactory, and again, you must check with your local building authorities to find out what the correct codes and loads are. Before purchasing a steel building ask for a copy of the purchase contract from the company you are considering buying from. By taking this copy to a building code office you will be a great help to the inspector in order to secure the correct information he needs to determine if your building will meet codes.
Permit drawings are sometimes required by your building code office to be submitted in order to get the necessary approvals. Inquire with the steel building company you are considering buying from as to whether these drawings are available pre-purchase. Some building inspectors also require engineer stamped drawings. Engineer stamped drawings and design calculations are available from most steel building manufacturers and suppliers. A majority of steel building companies require an engineering deposit before they will complete standard erection drawings, however. Companies tend to use a computer generated drawing to include the anchor bolt plan with reactions, which will provide your foundation engineer with all of the information necessary to design the proper foundation for your steel building.
These drawings also include diagrams of each connection that will be used in your steel building as well as cross-section diagrams for every part of your building. Remember, the ultimate responsibility for getting permitting paperwork for your steel building is yours. You must employ excellent examination of the steel building company you are considering buying from in combination with obtaining the appropriate answers from your local building code office.
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