Thursday 31 July 2014

Checklist for Installing Solar Panels on a Steel Building System



The installation of solar panels is spreading across North America and many are being put on top of buildings. This is a checklist of items to consider if solar panels are to be installed on the roof of a Steel Building System (SBS) or steel roof.

  • Is the Steel Building System manufacturer aware that a solar panel will be installed on the roof? 
  • Does the existing structure have the structural capacity to take the additional load of the solar panels (dead weight and any additional snow load build up)? 
  • If the roof is standing seam will the solar panel attachments overstress the panel ribs of roof clips? 
  • If solar panels are tilted do they cause additional snow or wind load on the roof? 
  • Are the solar panel components compatible with the roof panel finish? 
  • What is the actual weight of PV Panels and attachment connections? 
  • Will solar panels be installed with inspection walk paths between rows for roof maintenance? (Every forth or fifth row is recommended). 
  • Who will be responsible if the solar panels cause roof maintenance or warranty issues? 
  • How are panels being attached to roof: on roof plane with cleats or on racks? 
    • If using cleats, what is the frequency? 
    • If using racks, how are racks connected to the roof structure: frequency, span, connection reaction?

Thursday 24 July 2014

Donation made from CSSBI-CSPI Annual Charity Golf Tournament

The Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute and the Corrugated Steel Pipe Institute made a donation to Grands Frères, Grandes Soeurs de l'Outouais.


The Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held on June 1, 2014 during our Annual Meeting held in Calgary, AB.  In total, $1360 was donated to Grands Frères, Grandes Soeurs de l'Outouais.


http://www.cssbi.ca

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Register Now for the Design in Cold Formed Steel Seminar


Our sister organization, the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute Canada is hosting a Design in Cold Formed Steel Seminar. Below are the details.

Design in Cold Formed Steel: Using the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members CSA Standard S136-12

When:
Monday September 15, 2014
8:30am - 4:30pm

Where:
ArcelorMittal Dofasco
1330 Burlington Street East
Hamilton, ON L8N 3J5

Registration:
CFSEI Members - $225
Non-Members - $275

Each registrant will also receive a comprehensive set of lecture notes full of explanatory material and worked examples.

Registration is limited to 50 people on a first-come first-serve basis.


About the Seminar
The primary objective of this seminar is to make the designer conversant with the latest edition of CSA Standard S136-12 (North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members). This is a harmonized document between Canada, the US and Mexico, and supersedes the 2007 edition (including Supplement 2010). The Specification was developed through a joint effort of the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI) Committee on Specifications and the Canadian Standards Association’s S136 Technical Committee. In comparison to the 2007 edition of S136 (including Supplement 2010), a number of significant changes have been incorporated into the North American Specification, in part due to the harmonization process and in part due to latest research developments.

Topics
The intent is to bring the participant up-to-date with the current design provisions contained in the new North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (S136-12), highlighting significant changes from the 2007 edition of S136. As well, numerous illustrative examples will be presented.
  • Introduction 
  • Materials
  • General Design Considerations
  • Elements in Compression
  • Members in Tension
  • Members in Bending
  • Members in Compression
  • Combined Bending and Compression
  • Connections
  • Member Bracing
  • Testing and Fatigue
  • Direct Strength Method
Also, the latest Editions of the AISI North American Design Standards for Cold-Formed Steel Framing will be reviewed since these design standards are referenced by CSA S136 for use in Canada.

Registrants are encouraged to bring a copy of the S136-12 Standard to the seminar. If necessary, this can be purchased from CSA by telephone [416-747-4044, or 800-463-6727], E-mail [sales@csa.ca] or by visiting their web site at www.csa.ca.

Schedule
8:00 am     Registration and coffee
8:30 am     Seminar begins
10:15 am   Break
12:00 pm   Lunch provided
12:45 pm   Seminar resumes
2:30 pm     Break
4:30 pm     Seminar concludes

Who Should Attend
  • Anyone involved in the design of cold formed steel structural members. This seminar will provide a quick and effective means of learning about the 2012 edition of CSA S136 (North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members).
  • Anyone who would like the opportunity to have questions answered concerning all aspects of cold formed steel design.
Speakers
Dr. R.M. Schuster, P.Eng.
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario

Dr. S. R. Fox, P.Eng.
General Manager
Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute
Cambridge, Ontario


http://www.cssbi.ca

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Member News: WGI Westman Group Inc. - Grand Opening of New Cambridge Super Centre

WGI Expresses Gratitude for a Successful Grand Opening at Their New Cambridge Location

(Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) – On June 17, 2014, the new WGI Westman Group’s Super Centre had a successful Grand Opening/Open House which commemorated the expansion of their massive network into Ontario, and officially opened their new Cambridge facility.

WGI Westman Group Inc., is a dynamic entrepreneurial group of companies comprised of Behlen Industries LP, Canada Culvert, Frontier Laser, Meridian Manufacturing, and Westman Steel Industries. The Westman Group operates manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities in 27 centres across Canada and one in the United States. As well, it maintains dealer networks throughout North America and has a worldwide customer base.

Through WGI’s expansion into the Ontario marketplace, they have created over 120 new jobs to date and firmly plant their roots in the City of Cambridge. On June 17, they formally introduced themselves in a celebratory Grand Opening event. This special event was held in appreciation of their clientele, host city, talented employees and welcoming market. It was a monumental occasion.

“WGI wishes to sincerely thank the more than 200 people that attended our Grand Opening at our new 605 Sheldon Drive location. The day was an amazing success filled with guided tours, fabulous food, stimulating addresses and inspired conversations! We appreciate each person that joined us, from representatives from the City of Cambridge and Conestoga College, to delegates from the Chamber of Commerce and our valued clients. Above all and most importantly, it was a day that would not have been a success without the organization and dedication of ALL of our employees”. – Mary Taylor-Keefe, General Manager, Westman Steel Industries.

“Our Grand Opening offered incredible tours of all of the businesses that reside at this location and were led by our accomplished employees that run the daily operations in our 140, 000 ft² plant. This was a unique effort within our industry and was very informative. Our event was designed to provide transparency as well as raise awareness of the array of business units and their products that are unique parts of WGI”, said Bob Carswell, National Sales Manager for Canada Culvert.

Being a privately held company such as WGI, ensures that an environment which caters to their clients’ needs can be part of their company’s culture. All aspects of business can be conducted in a more personal manner than at a large public company, and part of this personal approach is demonstrating their gratitude through presenting an incredible Grand Opening event.

WGI Westman Group is looking forward to years of growth in their new community through membership with the Chamber of Commerce, participation in apprenticeship programs, continued R&D and the evolution of their manufacturing facility. They fully anticipate that the Cambridge, Ontario, market will take them to new heights, creating further employment for the region of Waterloo and continued business success!


http://www.cssbi.ca