Steel Buildings Glossary

If you’re asking for quotes for steel buildings with the intent of putting up a metal building on your property, you’ve probably noticed that the pros speak a different language. Understand common terms associated with steel buildings can make it easier for you to understand what’s including in your steel building quote and help you discuss your needs with a salesman. This isn’t an all-inclusive glossary of steel building terms, but it does hit the most common terms you’re likely to hear when you’re pricing steel buildings.
Accessories
You may think of accessories as unnecessary items, but in the metal building industry, accessories refer to anything that isn’t part of the basic steel building package, like doors, windows and vents. In general, your steel building will include the openings, but you’ll usually have to pay extra to actually get the items to fill those openings.
Anchor Bolt Plans
The anchor bolt plan is a drawing that shows the location, diameter and other specifics of all the anchor bolds needed to secure your steel building securely to its foundation or support.
Architectural Drawing
An architectural drawing shows the appearance of your planned steel building. It will usually show the plan view and all the elevations of the finished building.
BBC
No, it’s not the British Broadcasting Company. When you’re talking about steel buildings, BBC refers to the “basic building code,” a set of minimum standards to which all structures must comply. The basic building code varies from one state and even from one region to the next.
Building Code
Every city, county or state establishes a set of procedures and construction details to which all structures must adhere. They generally ensure the safe construction of the building.
Covering
The exterior metal wall panels and roof of a steel building.
Dead Load
The dead load is the weight of all the permanent construction of the steel building, including the floors, roof, framing and covering. Live loads include the weight of workers, equipment, materials and other movable objects in and on the building. Other loads include wind loads, snow loads and seismic loads.
Quonset Buildings
During World War I and II, the military used Quonset buildings as barracks, hospitals and other structures. They are basic hoop frame buildings that can be easily erected and dismantled.
Walk Door
Also known as pedestrian doors, walk doors are standard doors that allow people to walk in and out of a steel building without opening bay doors or garage doors.
Zinc-Aluminum Coated Steel
The walls of steel buildings are often coated with a zinc-aluminum alloy to prevent corrosion.