Consumers are sometimes confused about building codes and drawings for proposed projects when purchasing a steel building. This article will ease with your questions and concerns.

In most cases a building permit is required before erection of any steel building, however agricultural buildings are often exempt from this since many of them are in remote areas and/or outside of a city or township’s jurisdiction. You should check with a local building inspector to see if a steel building will be allowed at your site before buying the building.

Most steel building companies, or suppliers, will represent the minimum specification requirements as being sufficient to conform to any permitting process. But this is not always satisfactory and you need to check with your local building authorities to find out what the correct codes and loads are.

Before purchasing a steel building ask for a copy of the purchase contract from the company you are considering buying from. Taking this copy to a building code office will be helpful for the inspector to get the information he needs to determine if your building will meet codes.

Permit drawings are sometimes required by your building code office to be submitted in order to get approvals. Inquire with the steel building company you are considering buying from whether these drawings are available before buying.

Additionally, some building inspectors require engineer-stamped drawings. These drawings and design calculations are available from most steel building manufacturers and suppliers. Most steel building companies require an engineering deposit before they will complete standard erection drawings. Drawing, or drafting, companies use a computer generated rendering to include the anchor bolt plan with reactions which will give your foundation engineer all of the information necessary to design the right foundation for your steel building.

These drawings also include diagrams of each connection that will be used in your steel building, along with cross-section diagrams for every part of your building.

Remember, the ultimate responsibility for getting permits for your steel building is yours. You must exercise close scrutiny of the steel building company you are considering buying from, and get accurate answers from your local building code office.