Before you request quotes, lock your local criteria: IBC year, wind speed, exposure category, ground snow load, seismic design category, frost depth, setbacks, and floodplain. These numbers size your steel, drive price, and determine whether cold-formed or rigid frame fits.
Design wind speed (ASCE 7; Vult/Vasd) is set by your jurisdiction’s adopted IBC. It governs uplift and lateral forces on metal building systems, roll-up doors, wall panels, and connections. Confirm whether your AHJ uses 3-sec gust (Vult) or allowable stress design (Vasd) and the required importance category.
Higher wind increases frame size, purlin/girt spacing, panel gauge, fastener count, bracing, and foundation reactions. Correct wind data prevents re-engineering, change orders, and schedule slips during metal building permit review.
Exposure Category (B/C/D) reflects surface roughness: suburban/wooded (B), open fields or airfields (C), coastal with unobstructed water (D). Moving B→C→D raises wind pressures on PEMB frames and sheeting.
Mis-stating exposure is a hidden cost driver. Accurate category locks pricing, aligns sealed drawings with AHJ expectations, and avoids last-minute steel and anchor bolt changes.
Ground snow (Pg) is climatic; roof snow (Pf) is derived from Pg with exposure, thermal, slope, and drifting factors. Your engineer provides Pf in the calcs that size frames, purlins, and fasteners for metal roofs.
Higher snow loads increase frame weight, require drift checks at step-downs and parapets, and can push larger spans from cold-formed steel to rigid frame solutions.
Seismic Design Category (SDC) reflects site ground motion. Even central U.S. sites may require detailing beyond “minimal.” Drawings list SDC, importance category, and detailing level per IBC/ASCE.
Seismic can alter bracing layout, base plates, hold-downs, and anchor design. Installers must follow stamped details to maintain performance and warranty on steel buildings.
Foundations must bear below local frost depth to prevent heave. Rigid frames often use isolated footings; cold-formed buildings frequently use a continuous grade beam below frost line.
Specify vapor barrier, rebar schedule, edge thickening, and anchor bolt templates. Flatness and bolt accuracy speed erection and reduce re-work for PEMB crews.
Verify FEMA flood zones, finished floor elevation (FFE), easements, and setbacks. Floodplain rules can change slab height, utilities, and drainage on metal building sites.
Plan gutters/downspouts, splash protection, and swales to prevent panel staining, door freeze-ups, and slab damage. Good drainage = longer coating life and fewer callbacks.
Jurisdictions adopt IBC editions (e.g., 2018/2021) on different timelines and often add local amendments. Your sealed drawings and calcs must match the exact edition used by your AHJ.
Package a one-page loads & codes criteria sheet, PE-stamped drawings/calcs, site plan, and energy/soils docs if required. This shortens review and avoids resubmittals.
Higher wind/snow/exposure raises steel weight, tightens purlin/girt spacing, bumps panel gauge, increases fasteners, and ups foundation reactions—directly impacting price and lead time.
Cold-formed shines for small–mid spans and lighter loads; rigid frames carry wide spans, tall eaves, mezzanines, and cranes. Compare total installed cost, schedule, and usable interior height.
Ask for IBC year, design wind (Vult/Vasd), exposure category, ground snow (Pg), SDC, frost depth, setbacks, floodplain, and any local amendments. Get a contact name for your records.
Put the criteria on a one-page sheet and send the same spec to every supplier and installer. This yields apples-to-apples quotes and smoother permit review.
Enter your ZIP to generate a clean loads & codes sheet and see pre-qualified metal building suppliers and installers for your project type.
With criteria locked, define geometry and openings, choose frame type, and finalize sheeting/trim/insulation to begin quoting with confidence.
Disclaimer: Educational guidance only. Always verify loads, code adoption, setbacks, floodplain, and soils/drainage with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Use licensed engineers and follow stamped drawings and manuals.
