The Metal Building Manufacturers Association, Cleveland, is making significant investments in the future. In keeping with MBMA’s mission to enhance the collective interests of the metal building systems industry, the association is developing educational guides and manuals to help all those involved in the development, design and construction of metal building systems. MBMA pledges to its members that it will represent and promote the common interests of the member companies and wisely invest their resources to benefit the group. These new publications represent concrete examples of this pledge in action and continue the longstanding commitment, by MBMA and its membership, to increase the body of technical knowledge for our industry and share this information with the public.
Two current publications are of particular interest and both are available at www.mbma. com. The first is the MBMA Energy Guide for Metal Building Systems, an initiative of the MBMA Energy Committee. This document is a synthesis of all the pertinent information on how to design, construct and maintain metal buildings to be energy efficient. It was co-sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute and reflects MBMA’s confidence that the systems solutions available through our members provide more energy-efficient building solutions for end users. This guide i also a resource for informing building owners, architects, specifiers, contractors, builders and metal building manufacturers about the compliance options for satisfying the building envelope provisions of energy codes.
Metal building systems are already recognized as some of the most cost-effective and sustainable building types available. The new Energy Design Guide provides anyone who works with or owns a metal building the knowledge to increase energy efficiency and save money on both new and existing buildings.
Another important resource is the 2010 Supplement to the 2006 Edition of the Metal Building Systems Manual developed through the Technical Committee. This document provides more than 100 pages of valuable updates that incorporate the 2009 edition of the International Building Code, along with bringing all other references in the manual up to date. Significant additions and updates in this supplement relate to such items as: longitudinal wind drag on open buildings, new seismic design examples, new fire resistance updates,a discussion of one-sided welding and a updated section on lightning protection. These are just a few examples of the important improvements provided through this document.In my opinion, MBMA’s technical committee,under the leadership of Lee Shoemaker, has assembled some to the best engineering and technical talent in our industry to publish a series of state-of-the-art materials.
There is no doubt that these are very difficult times for both the overall nonresidential construction market and our membership. However, MBMA is taking a longer-term view, believing that these investments will provide valuable knowledge to the market about the benefits of systems construction; knowledge that will pay dividends for many years to come. It is consistent with MBMA’s mission and our membership fully supports these educational initiatives—even in today’s economic environment.
Investments in Quality
Beyond the development of educational guide and manuals, I personally find the International Accreditation Service effort to be a very exciting endeavor. I’ve had the opportunity to support the MBMA accreditation committee over the past few years and I’m amazed at the willingness of the membership to provide their best people to spearhead this effort.
MBMA members have always been committed to the highest quality standards for both engineering and manufacturing, as evidenced by the success of the long running AISC-MB program. When that program was discontinued at the request of American Institute of Steel Construction, the membership began diligently searching for a partner to help us administer a comprehensive quality program. The IAS quickly came to the forefront as the best solution for our needs.
I’ve witnessed the wholehearted support of this program from our membership through the leadership of both MBMA and IAS. I’m confident our members will meet the deadlines for compliance by the end of 2010. As a public program and with support that IAS has from the International Code Congress, our members understand that this quality program can become recognized worldwide as the premier standard for our industry. The IAS Accreditation Criteria (AC472) addresses quality management system elements and technical requirements and includes periodic auditing of fabrication processes which are essential for code officials to deem IAS-accredited metal building manufacturers as approved fabricators.
I must also congratulate the leadership of MBMA for being publicly honored at the 2009 ICC Annual Conference in Baltimore for its contribution to the development of the IAS accreditation program. This accolade confirms the commitment, dedication and quality of MBMA’s staff and volunteer leadership.
