Quality Metal Buildings | Engineer | Supply | Erect | Steel Building Experts

Steel Building System (SBS) or Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB)?

Steel Building System (SBS) is the term embedded in the National and Provincial Building Codes and preferred by the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI), which is the industry association for manufacturer designed, steel framed buildings in Canada. The industry has evolved with computer design capabilities. There is very little about a building that is pre-engineered in the same way that it was in the early days of the building form.

What is the Certificate of Design and Manufacturing Conformance?

The certificate – sometimes called the CSSBI or A660 Certificate of Design– is a manufacturer’s statement of design basis, fabrication control and code compliance. As a requirement of CSA A660 manufacturer certification, the Certificate of Design must be provided with each Steel Building System project in Canada. Some manufacturers include the Certificate of Design on the building drawings. The certificate must be signed and sealed by the manufacturer’s engineer and submitted as part of the permit documents.

What is CSA A660 Certification?

CAN/CSA A660 Certification of Manufacturers of Steel Building Systems is the standard for an annual audit by an independent agency such as Quasar. The National Building Code of Canada and the Provincial Building Codes require that manufacturers of Steel Building Systems be certified as a convenient means for code authorities, owners and consultants to assess a manufacturer’s ability to conform to Canadian building codes and design standards. A manufacturer certified to CAN/CSA A660 obtains a certificate for each qualified facility which means that some manufacturers with multiple locations cannot provide building components to Canadian projects from facilities that have not been audited. A copy of the manufacturer’s audit certificate may be required as part of the submission for Building Permit.

The Specifications/Building Dept. wants the manufacturer to sign other documents

Many provinces and jurisdictions require that, as part of the Permit submission, the owner must prove that they have engaged a Professional Architect and/or Engineer to ensure that the project is built according to the Permit set of drawings. This is not for quality control purposes and usually consists of occasional site observations to ensure that construction is in general conformance. This commitment can be made by any engineer qualified to perform the work and may already be covered by the owner’s construction inspection firm. Generally, manufacturers do not send personnel to a site. Steel Building Experts (SBX) is qualified to sign the forms and perform the site observations.

Does Steel Building Experts (SBX) have a Business Practices or Ethics Policy?

Absolutely. In addition to complying with the requirements of many major clients it is just good business to ensure that all commercial dealings are open and honest. The potential costs (e.g. compensation, reputation and future revenue loss), can significantly outweigh any short-sighted gains. Also, SBX is committed to the professional standards required by engineering licensing and industry associations.

Can your forces meet the strict subcontractor Health and Safety policies?

SBX subcontracts site personnel that are trained and certified to all the required Health and Safety Regulations and will work within the site policies. Training and certification includes WHMIS, Fall Safety, equipment operator, supervisor and specific conditions as appropriate.

What type of Snow Barrier do you recommend?

Sloped metal roofs provide a slippery surface which permits snow and ice to slide off the roof and endanger assets and personnel below. Consultants frequently specify that a “snow fence” or “snow barrier” be installed near the eave to prevent this. Considering the potential consequences, there is no simple answer and there are some types that should be avoided under any circumstances since they may under-perform and potentially void your roof warranty.

What is QBS?

Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) is a procurement procedure whereby the capabilities of a proponent are assessed before price. This procurement method is increasingly required by government and private sector buyers. QBS leads to reduced project and life-cycle costs. Even if your customer has not implemented QBS, it is always beneficial to your project to apply QBS in selection of the designers/suppliers in a steel building project.