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Before the construction of a steel building can begin, there are many preparations to be made. Read on to find out what should be done prior to assembly and erection.

Building Site

Preparation should start by ensuring easy access to the building site, particularly for vehicles that will transport the building components. The more accessible the site is for the vehicles, the easier it will be to unload the parts and the sooner the process of assembly can begin.

All vehicles carrying building components should access the building site through an adjacent road or highway. Before the vehicles arrive, the path should be prepared. All obstructions, found both overhead (like power lines) and below, should be cleared from the path. If it seems like the soil cannot support the cumbersome wheel loads, the route should either be planked or gravelled.

If easy access to the building site is only possible through another individual’s property, it is best for the  owner of the steel structure to ask permission. In some cases, it seems like asking for permission is not needed, but steel building owners should ask for it anyway. The other person will appreciate the courtesy. One will find that it is easier to address future building concerns related to neighbours if he or she is in good terms with them.

Of course, the building site itself should be prepared. Before the building components are delivered on site, the area should be checked and evaluated. One should make sure that the area offers enough room to do tasks related to the assembly and erection. Tasks like the trim and sheeting application are made more complicated, not to mention more expensive, if the working space around the building site is not enough. There may be too little room to move around in if the nearby structures are too close to the site or if there are obstructions around that limit movement.

A spacious working area is not the only thing that should be guaranteed prior to steel buildings construction. It is also important to ensure that the equipment and utilities necessary for working are available.

Unloading

Before the steel building can be properly erected, the components should be properly unloaded from the vehicles first. There should also be plan in place for the unloading of building parts, as it is a crucial part of the erection process. Planning is most important in cases where available storage is limited. Building materials should be organized according to the order of the erection process to prevent double handling, which can be costly.

One thing that should be included in the plan is the location of the carrier vehicles. It is most recommended that trucks should be situated in areas near the points where the parts they carry will be used. This reduces lifting, travel as well as the re-handling of the components during assembly. If access ramps are needed to unload the trucks, these should be prepared beforehand to keep everything on schedule. Ramps may be made with wood or stone.

If the kind of lifting involved in the construction requires more than manpower, then there should be lifting equipment prepared. Determine the right type and size of such equipment based on the building site and its conditions. Consider other factors to find out the best place to put the equipment, including the equipment’s manoeuvrability and capacity. The use of lifting equipment is costly, but one can save a lot by using these both to unload and erect the structural components of the steel building.

Handling and Storage

When the trucks arrive, the shipment should be checked and matched with the bill of lading and tally sheets. In the event that there is shortage or damage, the driver should be notified and asked to note the shortage or damage on both documents and sign it.

Sheet metal should be inspected for moisture that may have accumulated during shipping. If the sheets have moisture, they should be dried before they are stored to prevent rusting. Bundled sheets should be unbundled and put upright against a wall. If not possible, sheets can be put on the floor at an angle. Building materials should never be stored outside; these should be kept in a dry storage area if they cannot be assembled or erected yet.

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