A very important organization in the promotion and cohesion of the present pre-engineered, pre-fabricated metal structure industry is the MBMA, or Metal Building Manufacturers Association. The intentions of this group are unwavering in the pursuit of industry-wide conformity on coverage and protection rules, building code applications, and design guidelines. In 1956 the MBMA was established here in the U.S. with 13 original members, and it continues to take its energetic work into the 21st Century.

The MBMA leads the way in providing design improvements and guidelines to fabricators and manufacturers. Prior to the establishment of the organization, each building fabricator would set its own architectural guidelines. Considerable reliability and quality gaps throughout the trade occurred as a result. The cohesion of today’s pre-engineered metal building industry is due in large part to the Association’s design guidelines.

The beginning of the 21st Century saw the MBMA with a base membership of nearly 30 metal building manufacturers—accounting for almost 10,000 constructors nationwide. Almost all pre-engineered, pre-fabricated metal building systems that have been erected in the U.S. have been a result of group member efforts. Recently, suppliers have also been extended membership to the Association.

Another of the MBMA’s effort has resulted in suitable all-metal structure wind resistance, due to wind tunnel research that it undertook in the 1970s. The findings are now widely used as the favored coding for pre-engineered metal structure construction. Also encouraged and promoted with the group’s ventures are thermal studies, fire rating, and snow loading assessment. The MBMA continues to undertake wind capacity research to this very day.

The MBMA has developed many journals that include rules for correct commercial grade metal pre-engineered roofing configuration. It has published an annual industry market review, as well as producing many videos, presentations, and promotional materials that illustrate the advantages, features, and benefits of pre-engineered metal structures. The MBMA has also developed an annual compendium for nearly 50 years that is a useful handbook for all concerned with the industry. The book is essential as to the features of proper design, efficient structural loads, and other manufacturing functions and practices.

The Association suggests licensing programs concerning metal structure producers. A recent course aimed to not only establish that a quality pre-engineered, pre-fabricated metal building product is accomplished through the production process, but also to maintain proper design and quality guidelines once the building is completed. The MBMA requires certification by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) before enrollment to the Association. The MBMA is headquartered in Ohio and remains the most important and powerful metal structure alliance in the United States.