Metal Building Manufacturers Association

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) was founded in 1956 and promotes the design and construction of metal building systems in the low-rise, non-residential building marketplace. A non-profit trade organization, MBMA's headquarters is in Cleveland, Ohio.^[1] The organization consists of building system members, who are certified according to standards which have been set by the International Accreditation Service of the International Code Council, and associate members, who work with the metal building industry. MBMA’s
General Manager is Charles M. Stockinger and it has a Chairman who is elected by the members on an annual basis. The 2010 and 2011 Chairman is Chuck Haslebacher.^[2][3]

MBMA History

The Metal Building Manufacturers Association, commonly known as the MBMA, was founded in 1956 by a group of companies that developed a way of designing, manufacturing, and marketing buildings. The first group of 13 metal building systems companies came together under the leadership of Wilbur B. Larkin in order to work together to promote metal building systems and be the technical voice of the industry.^[4]

Early in the 1900s, prior to the formation of the MBMA, metal beams and panels were used for garages with small structures and were advertised for sale in publications such as the Saturday Evening Post. The first standing seam metal roof ^[5] was introduced by Armco Steel Corp at the 1934 Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. The use of pre-engineered buildings increased during World War II with the introduction and evolution of the Quonset Hut, a portable and inexpensive solution to housing and other needs. After the war, metal buildings became more widely accepted for other uses.^[3].

During the 1950s, the metal building manufacturers began to use a builder/dealer network model. The builders provided contracting and erection services and the manufacturers offered training courses for the building of their structures. At that time, Wilber Larkin of Butler Manufacturing wrote to a number of companies and invited them to a meeting in Chicago. On September 25, 1956, 13 companies officially formed the Metal Building Manufacturers Association. The charter took effect on October 1, 1956 with Armco Steel Corp., Behlen Manufacturing, Butler Manufacturing, Carew Steel, Metallic Buildings, Pascoe Steel, Soule Steel, Steelcraft Manufacturing, Stran-Steel Corp. and Wonder Building Corp as the original members.^[3]

MBMA member sales were $69.6 million in 1956. The association and its membership grew throughout the late 1950s, and each decade after that. In 1960, member sales were $98.6 million and they shipped approximately 260,000 tons of steel. There were 16 members in 1960, and in 1968 the Metal Building Dealers Association was formed. This group was renamed the Systems Builders Association and is now the Metal Building Contractors & Erectors Association.^[3][6]

In 1970, the MBMA had 25 members with sales of $363 million. This decade saw the industry advance through a number of new developments. The standing seam roof system^[7] came into wide production and use during these years. Additionally, modern coating systems for both metal roofs and walls allowed metal buildings to incorporate a variety of colors. During this decade, the association hired its first full-time director of research and engineering - Dr. Duane Ellifritt, a former engineer with Armco and then on the faculty of Oklahoma State University.^[8]

In 1980, member sales climbed to over $1 billion with steel shipments exceeding 1 million tons. Metal Building News became the industry’s first tabloid-size trade publication when it began publishing in 1980. It is now called Metal Construction News. In 1985, a second industry magazine begin publishing, Metal Architecture.

In 1990 MBMA member sales exceeded $1.5 billion and steel shipped was over 1.2 million tons. By 2000, MBMA member sales were over $2.5 billion and steel shipments were in excess of 1.875 million tons. For the most recent year that the association has on record, 2007 sales were $2.9 billion and members shipped approximately 1.534 million tons of steel.^[3]

Association Chairmen

The 2010 and 2011 MBMA Chairman is Chuck Haslebacher.

Past chairmen of the association are:

• 1956 & 1957—Wilbur Larkin^[9], Butler Mfg. Co.
  
• 1958—Donald Malcolm, Armco Inc.
• 1959—George Cobb, Soule Steel Company
• 1960—Charles Homer, National Steel Products Co.
• 1961—Howard Carew, Carew Corp.
• 1962—Harry Williams, Braden Steel Corp.
• 1963—C.L. Mitchell, Mitchell Engineering Co.
• 1964—Donald Malcolm, Armco Inc.
• 1965—William Slaton, Delta Steel Buildings Co.
• 1966—James Dennis, Atlantic Building Systems
• 1967—C.V. Blackburn, Pascoe Steel Corp.
• 1968—Jack Hatcher, Varco-Pruden
• 1969—John Von Blon, A&S Building Systems
• 1970—R.J. Atkinson, Butler Mfg. Co.
• 1971—Lon Sheally, Star Manufacturing Co.
• 1972—Gilbert Leach, Marathon Metallic Building Co.
• 1973—James D. Murphy Jr., American Buildings Co.
• 1974—John Reigle, National Steel Products Corp.
• 1975—Lou Barrenechea, Pascoe Steel Corp.
• 1976—Hugh McCarley, Atlantic Building Systems
• 1977—Scott Lewis, Braden Steel Corp.
• 1978—R.J. Atkinson, Butler Manufacturing Co.
• 1979—Robert C. Kelley, Varco-Pruden
• 1980—Charles H. Waldron, Mitchell Engineering Co.
• 1981—James L. Sullivan, Inryco Inc.
• 1982—Herman J. Oellerich, Armco Atlantic Inc.
• 1983—Donald H. Pratt, Butler Mfg. Co.
• 1984—Talmage G. Rogers Jr., Ceco Buildings Div.
• 1985—Gary Heithecker, Mesco Metal Buildings Corp.
• 1986—James D. Murphy Jr., American Buildings Co.
• 1987—Norman Yerke, Summit Buildings
• 1988—Robert C. Kelley, AMCA Buildings Division
• 1989—Clayton Richardson, Gulf States Manufacturers
• 1990—George King, Kirby Building Systems
• 1991 & 1992—Richard Jarman, Butler Mfg. Co.
• 1993—Dan Zabcik, NCI Building Systems Inc.
• 1994—Duane Stockburger, Varco-Pruden Buildings
• 1995—Robert T. Ammerman, American Buildings Co.
• 1996—Tony Raimondo, Behlen Mfg. Co.
• 1997—George King, Kirby Building Systems Inc., Div. of ABS
• 1998—J. Terrell Landrum, Ceco Building Systems
• 1999—Harry R. Lowe, Nucor Corporation
• 2000—Leonard George, NCI Building Systems
• 2001—John Underwood, The Behlen/Inland Group>
• 2002—Joel Voelkert, American Buildings Co.
• 2003—Will Feland, Pinnacle
• 2004—John Price, Chief Buildings
• 2005—Harry R. Lowe, Nucor Corporation
• 2006—Robert T. Ammerman, American Buildings Co.
• 2007–William Savitz, Garco
• 2008-Keith Fischer, Robertson-Ceco
• 2009-Phil Raimondo, Behlen Building Systems
• 2010-Chuck Haslebacher, Varco-Pruden Buildings^[3]
• 2011-Chuck Haslebacher, Varco-Pruden Buildings

Engineered Metal Building Systems

Metal building systems are professionally engineered structures. Having evolved from the steel beam and corrugated structures of the early 20th century, these buildings now use computer aided design and drafting (CAD) systems. Computer-aided design
Metal building systems have evolved through the years into assemblages of structural elements that work together as a structural system. While there are many variations on the theme, the basic elements of the metal building system are constant: primary rigid frames, secondary members (wall girts and roof purlins), cladding and bracing.

All major metal building system manufacturers utilize computer tools to custom design a building system and all building components, based on the customer’s specifications. Adhering to the local and national building codes ^[10], each metal building system is engineered to the required dimensions and designed to meet the loading conditions with the material specified.

Metal buildings incorporate different architectural finishes to provide the appropriate facade for various facility types, such as churches^[11], schools^[12], shopping centers, educational buildings, medical facilities^[13], retail stores, and office buildings. These applications can also include fire stations^[14], airplane hangars^[15],fitness centers^[16], and other types of low-rise construction.^[13][17] Metal buildings are also designed for traditional uses such as warehouses, distribution centers, and athletic facilities.

Metal building shipments were up approximately 10% in 2010. Metal building systems now comprise over 40% of the market share in the low-rise commercial building category, according to Building Toward the Future, the organization's 2010 Annual Report.^[18]

Research and Development

MBMA promotes the common interests of metal building systems manufacturers. The MBMA mission includes a mandate to provide engineering leadership by sponsoring research programs that benefit the industry. This research is used by the association members and the building community in general to improve the efficiency and quality of metal building systems and to impact the technology used to produce them.

When founded, “MBMA’s main purpose was to jointly attack technical matters that could not be addressed by individual companies,” according to the late James Murphy, former president of American Buildings Co. and former MBMA chairman.^[3] A Technical Committee was established and began to research and document important issues in metal building design and construction. Early on, an important task was to evaluate design loads and the variations in building codes that existed. The first publication of the new association was the MBMA Recommended Design Practices Manual, introduced in 1959.

The Technical Committee helped promote and add its expertise to research being undertaken by other groups, such as the American Iron and Steel Institute’s work at Cornell University that led to the publication of Design of Light Gauge Steel Diaphragms in 1967^[19]. MBMA first co-sponsored research in 1966 with a study on tapered structural members conducted at the State University of New York at Buffalo by Dr. George Lee.^[20]

In 1974, MBMA began sponsoring wind load research to resolve differences in various standards and codes. The then-current American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, standard was based on high-rise buildings and was not appropriate for low-rise structures. This was not simply an issue for metal buildings, but all low-rise non-residential construction. Led by Dr. Alan Davenport of the University of Western Ontario, the work was the first comprehensive investigation of wind action on low-rise buildings. In 1982, the Standard Building Code (SBC) first adopted wind loads developed by Dr. Davenport’s team.^[3]

Head of Walls: MBMA and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) sponsored fire protection tests on head of wall (HOW) joints in metal buildings. This work was performed at Underwriters Laboratories and was designed to show the fire resistive nature of the HOW joints in metal buildings. The tests resulted in three new UL Certifications (HW-D-0488, HW-D-0489, and HW-D-0490), as well as further clarification from the UL for those who work with fire rated walls and unrated ceiling assemblies.^[21]

Hot Box Testing: Buildings consume approximately 40 percent of energy used in the United States annually ^[22], and the MBMA is working to increase the energy efficiency of metal buildings. MBMA is currently working with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee to create more energy efficient structures ^[23] ORNL’s Large Scale Climate Simulator (LSCS) can enclose building assemblies to replicate different climatic conditions and provide “hot box” testing in accordance with ASTM C1363 ^[24]

MBMA’s work at ORNL is currently focused on next-generation roofing assemblies that have been designed to increase energy efficiency, primarily by using unique combinations of insulation. ORNL provides expertise on heat-transfer fundamentals and helps to target areas to improve.^[25] This kind of work is helping to make metal building systems more efficient and keep the industry ahead of code requirements.

Overhead Doors and Metal Buildings: MBMA has been working with the Door and Access System Manufacturers Association (DASMA) for the past several years to create better doors and openings for metal buildings. Five years of collaboration and research has focused on rolling steel overhead doors and the effects of wind on the doors and the building.^[26] As a result of this collective effort in the summer of 2010, DASMA released a technical guide to ensure that metal building framing can adequately support a rolling door.^[27]

As of 2010 the MBMA continues to perform research into wind loads on metal buildings^[28], roof systems, and other aspects of low-rise construction. Additionally, the association has sponsored and led research into bolted end plate connections, cold-formed steel, snow loads and wind uplift, and insurance issues for metal buildings, among other topics ^[29] that are pertinent to the industry.

MBMA Research and Engineering Directors

Duane Ellifritt, Ph.D. 1975–1984
Dale Perry, Ph.D. 1984–1988
Gil Harris, MS, 1988–1994
W. Lee Shoemaker, Ph.D., PE 1994–present^[2][3][30]

Membership

In 2010 there are 44 Building Systems Members and 57 Associate Members.^[31]

Education

The MBMA educates members of the building community, including designers, engineers, architects, erectors, contractors, and code officials about metal building systems. It works with various groups and associations to keep code officials apprised of the advances in metal building systems and how they apply to the building codes. The association also works to educate members and other parts of the building community on best practices^[32] and how to apply research and design improvements in their work.

MBMA sponsors a continuing education course through Northern Illinois University. This course, developed with the help of a team of architects, provides an overview of engineered metal building systems, how they are different from other metal structures and how to work with these structures. It is a particularly informative course for those who are unfamiliar with the specifics of engineered metal building systems. The course is accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and provides continuing education units (CEUs) for those who take the course and pass the test.^[33]

Accreditation

The MBMA has an accreditation program in conjunction with the International Code Council’s International Accreditation Service (IAS). This program replaced the AISC-MB certification that the MBMA had previously required for membership in the association. The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the MBMA mutually agreed to end the AISC sponsorship of the Metal Building Certification program at the end of 2008.^[34]

In 2008, The International Accreditation Service, Inc. Accreditation Committee approved new accreditation criteria for Inspection Programs for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems, AC472. The criteria are endorsed by the Metal Building Manufacturers Association. This comprehensive accreditation program for the inspection of metal buildings is based on the requirements of Chapter 17 of the International Building Code and provides code officials with a means to approve the inspection programs of manufacturers involved in the fabrication of metal building systems.^[35]

AC472 addresses quality management system elements such as personnel requirements, product traceability, process control, and various administrative and technical requirements that are essential for code officials to deem IAS-accredited entities as approved fabricators. “The MBMA is to be commended for initiating the development of the program that establishes high standards for the metal building industry,” says Sandi McCracken, Senior Accreditation Officer with IAS.^[35] MBMA members were previously required to be AISC-MB certified and the new IAS accreditation will be a requirement of membership in 2010.

Publications

The MBMA offers various publications. MBMA also works with other associations and groups to put together publications that are available through those groups. Following is a list of some of the more notable publications of the association and others to which it has contributed.

Concrete Masonry Walls for Metal Building Systems: MBMA collaborated with the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the International Code Council (ICC) to create this 116-page manual for architects, engineers, code officials, and metal building manufacturers. Published in 2011, it describes various advantages and requirements for building concrete masonry hardwalls on metal buildings. The resource provides masonry design standards and industry practices, as well as design aids, construction recommendations and schematic details that show how to integrate masonry with metal buildings. It also includes an appendix with design examples using the NCMA Structural Masonry Design System Software (CMS10V5). The publication can be purchased at NCMA.org.

Metal Building Systems Manual: The MBMA Metal Building Systems Manual has been published since 1959 when the MBMA Recommended Design Practices Manual was introduced. Since then, this guide for metal building designers and builders has been updated at regular intervals and is now entitled the MBMA Metal Building Systems Manual. The most recent edition was published in 2006 and also included a CD-ROM version. The 2006 Manual includes important topics for metal buildings such as load application, crane loads, guide specifications and common industry practices. The 2006 Manual includes provisions of the 2006 International Building Code (IBC).^[36]

2010 Supplement to the 2006 Metal Building Systems Manual: A free update to the 2006 MBMA Metal Building Systems Manual was published in the Spring of 2010 and is available for download at www.mbmamanual.com. The 2010 Supplement to the 2006 Metal Building Systems Manual includes a new procedure for assessing longitudinal wind drag on open buildings as well as background information on the testing that led to this procedure. Other revisions and additions include, but are not limited to, a new seismic design example for metal buildings with concrete masonry walls (hardwalls), new Underwriters Laboratories (UL) fire resistance listings for head-of-wall (HOW) joints, information on the newly created International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS) AC472 inspection program for manufacturers of metal building systems, a discussion on one-sided welding, and an updated section on lightning protection.^[37]

Seismic Design Manual: The illustrated guide includes narratives about metal building systems, examples of realistic design situations, engineering diagrams and code commentary. It references the 2006 International Building Code, the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures ASCE/SEI Standard 7-05. Structural steel design is based on the American Institute of Steel Construction’s Specification for Structural Steel Buildings Standard AISC 360-05 and the Seismic Provisions for Steel Buildings Standard AISC 341-05. Additional details can be found at www.iccsafe.org/seismicmetal2006.

Tapered Member Design Manual- Frame Design Using Web-Tapered Members, authored by Richard C. Kaehler, CSD, Donald W. White and Yoon Duk Kim of Georgia Institute of Technology and coordinated by the MBMA Technical Committee has been completed. It has been reviewed by American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and will be published by them as an interpretation of, and an extension to, the provisions of the 2005 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.

MBMA Fire and Insurance Bulletins: These are a series of fire and insurance bulletins that the association created and updates to help building officials and builders understand the insurance and fire protection issues associated with metal buildings and low-rise construction. These are located online at http://www.mbma.com.

Energy Design Guide for Metal Building Systems: MBMA published the Energy Design Guide for Metal Building Systems in early 2010. There are 10 chapters plus appendices and a comprehensive bibliography. The guide has an overview of metal and sustainable buildings followed by detailed chapters on insulation, cool roofs and daylighting. There are also chapters devoted to the International Energy Conservation Code, ASHRAE Standards and state energy codes, as well as compliance tools. Detailed information is provided on the most prominent rating programs, such as the USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED), Green Globes and Energy Star.

AISI Design Guide for Cold-Formed Steel Purlin Roof Framing Systems: The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) published the 2009 edition of the Design Guide, based on AISI S100-07, the 2007 edition of the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members.

Fire Resistance Design Guide for Metal Building Systems: MBMA published this design guide in 2010. It provides information for building owners, architects, engineers, specifiers, fire marshals, building code officials, contractors, product vendors, builders and metal building manufacturers on how to effectively meet fire resistance requirements of a project with metal building systems. It covers passive forms of fire-resistant systems, codes, detailed explanations of specific fire protection materials and ways to provide one- and two-hour fire-rated assemblies for walls, columns, roofs, floors and ceilings.

Building Toward the Future: MBMA's 2010 Annual Report highlights significant achievements in its research, accreditation, and technical initiatives conducted during the year. The association's technical committees delivered results to move the industry forward through activities in the codes arena, research, testing, and resource development. Industry leadership was provided by MBMA committees in the areas of energy, sustainability and safety.

See also

Internal links

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
American Institute of Steel Construction
American Iron and Steel Institute
International Code Council
Metal Construction Association
Underwriters Laboratories

References

1. ^ Metal Construction News, MBMA 50th Anniversary Guide, July 2006, available at http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=86&pp=2
2. ^ ^{a b} http://www.mbma.com
3. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=59&pp=3&i=139
4. ^ http://www.designandbuildwithmetal.com/IndustryNews/Archives/2007/10_October/mbma_larkin_memorial.aspx
5. ^ http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=1558
6. ^ www.mbcea.org
7. ^ http://www.fireengineering.com/display_article/350281/25/none/none/Depar/Metal-Buildings-for-Firehouses
8. ^ www.aisc.org/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=15144
9. ^ http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=39&pp=3&i=129
10. ^ http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/2009-10cycle/
11. ^ http://www.churchexecutive.com/article.asp?IndexID=1074
12. ^ http://www.designandbuildwithmetal.com/Columnists/Writers/wendy_burke_3_5_08.aspx
13. ^ ^{a b} http://www.facilitymanagement.com/articles/green1-1208.html
14. ^ http://www.fireengineering.com/display_article/350281/25/none/none/Depar/Metal-
15. ^ http://www.designandbuildwithmetal.com/SubmittedProjects/Projects/mesaba_hangar_des_moines_airport_metal_framing_walls_roof.aspx
16. ^ http://www.fitnessworld.com/articles/article_p.aspx?articleid=2227&zoneid=50
17. ^ http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=84&pp=2
18. ^ http://www.mbma.com/pdf/MCN%20-%20MBMA%20Annual%20Report%20without%20ads.pdf
19. ^ http://technopress.kaist.ac.kr/samplejournal/pdf/scs0701003.pdf
20. ^ http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/~gclee/leevitae-4-05allcb.pdf
21. ^ Building Safety Journal Online: http://bsj.iccsafe.org/june/features/how_test.html
22. ^ National Renewable Energy Laboratory, www.nrel.gov
23. ^ Oak Ridge National Review: http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v43_1_10/article08.shtml
24. ^ http://www.astm.org/Standards/C1363.htm
25. ^ http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v43_1_10/article08.shtml
26. ^ Door and Access Systems Newsmagazine, Summer 2010: http://www.dasma.com/articles/newsline/Newslines_Industry-Technical_Summer2010.pdf
27. ^ Door and Access Systems Newsmagazine, Fall 2010: http://www.dasma.com/articles/newsline/Newslines_Technical_Fall2010.pdf
28. ^ http://www.dasma.com/PDF/Publications/TechDataSheets/CommercialResidential/TDS155.pdf
29. ^ http://www.gostructural.com/article.asp?id=220
30. ^ http://www.gostructural.com/article.asp?id=2777
31. ^ http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=4
32. ^ http://www.metalmag.com/docs/06_link_pages/06_OCTOBER/OCTOBER_EDUCATIONAL.pdf
33. ^ http://www.learn.niu.edu/mbma/
34. ^ http://www.aisc.org/newsdetail.aspx?id=11150&terms=mbma*
35. ^ ^{a b} http://www.iasonline.org/More/NR051908MBMA.html
36. ^ 2006 MBMA Metal Building Systems Manual. Published by MBMA.
37. ^ http://www.gostructural.com/news-mbma_releases_supplement_to_2006_metal_building_systems_manual-447.html

External links

• Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA)

MBMA Manual http://www.mbmamanual.com

• Metal Building Architecture CEU online course

International Accreditation Service (IAS) http://www.iasonline.org
International Code Council (ICC) http://www.iccsafe.org
Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association http://www.mbcea.org

• American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) http://www.aisc.org
American Institute of Architects (AIA) http://www.aia.org
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) http://www.asce.org
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) http://www.astm.org
Underwriters Laboratory http://www.ul.com
Seismic Design Guide press release http://www.coccies.com/2008/11/new-metal-buildings-design-guide.html

Sources

• Design and Build With Metal Online
• Wilbur Larkin Memorial Dedication
• International Accreditation Service
• International Code Council
• Metal Construction News
• Metal Construction News, MBMA 50th Anniversary Supplement, July, 2006
• Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association
• AISC
• American School and Hospital Facilities
• DesignandBuildwithMetal.com Keith Fischer Article
• Environmental Design and Construction Article
• Church Executive Article