Tomorrow! METALCON Live! and RAINA Present – “NFPA 285 & Other Fire Considerations”

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According to the Metal Construction Association, “Fire Safety is an important responsibility of the building designer and owner. Even if individual elements of a wall assembly are not combustable, the assembly must be tested. NFPA-285 is an important test that measures for vertical and lateral flame spread of the geometry and layers in a wall panel.” Don’t miss this FREE opportunity to learn more about the exterior wall assembly fire performance code with industry expert, Steve Gaynor, co-founder of RAiNA and Principal of PIVOTH.

NFPA 285 IS THE CRITICAL TEST FOR EXTERIOR WALL ASSEMBLIES.

In 2 Weeks – METALCON Live! and RAINA Present – “NFPA 285 & Other Fire Considerations”

REGISTER TODAY AND EARN 1 AIA LU HSW

NFPA 285 IS THE CRITICAL TEST FOR EXTERIOR WALL ASSEMBLIES.

According to the Metal Construction Association, “Fire Safety is an important responsibility of the building designer and owner. Even if individual elements of a wall assembly are not combustable, the assembly must be tested. NFPA-285 is an important test that measures for vertical and lateral flame spread of the geometry and layers in a wall panel.” In two weeks, you won’t want to miss this FREE opportunity to learn more about the exterior wall assembly fire performance code with industry expert, Steve Gaynor, co-founder of RAiNA and Principal of PIVOTH.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Repurposed Steel Frame Used for Award Winning Office Project

Photo: Patrick Tang, Take Flyt Imaging, Building Design + Construction

Located in the redeveloped Hayden Tract neighborhood in Culver City, California, this three-floor office building offers about 25,000 sf of office and amenity spaces, as well as a variety of sustainable and energy-efficient components. Situated in a former industrial zone that has become a technology and corporate hub, Del Amo Construction has completed the adaptive reuse of 3516 Schaefer St and has been given the top Gold award in the commercial office category by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

METALCON Live! and FMA Present “Roll Forming Safety” TODAY, May 3 at 1:00 PM EST

Join us in 4 hours and get your continuing education credit with this FREE webinar.

Whether you’re a fabricator with multiple machines or a contractor using a portable hand brake on the job site, maintaining a safe work environment is your top priority. With labor shortages as challenging as ever, how do you get your employees to eat, breathe and sleep safety while still meeting your production deadlines? Industry leaders from two companies with exemplary safety records, voestalpine Roll Forming, and AMS Controls, will lead the discussion on roll forming safety in today’s METALCON Live! presented by METALCON Live! and The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International^® (FMA).

Safety on Our Mind – FMA Announces 2023 Safety Award Winners

Experts say safety should never be an afterthought. The set-up, operation and maintenance of roll forming equipment requires a keen safety awareness for anyone working in the same facility. Creating a safe place for employees should be at the top of the list.

The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International®, (FMA), puts safety  as one of the organizations’ top priorities with their annual Safety Awards and Annual Safety Conference. Announced last month in the fabricator, “The Safety Awards program are open to all FMA Business members and acknowledges metal fabrication companies for achieving safety records better than the OSHA recordable rate for their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Sponsored by CNA Insurance, the awards will be presented at next week’s FMA’s Annual Safety Conference.”

METALCON Live! and FMA Present “Roll Forming Safety” Next Wednesday, May 3 at 1:00 PM EST

Get your continuing education credit with this FREE webinar – RESERVE your virtual seat TODAY!

Whether you’re a fabricator with multiple machines or a contractor using a portable hand brake on the job site, maintaining a safe work environment is your top priority. With labor shortages as challenging as ever, how do you get your employees to eat, breathe and sleep safety while still meeting your production deadlines? Industry leaders from two companies with exemplary safety records, voestalpine Roll Forming, and AMS Controls, will lead the discussion on roll forming safety in next Wednesday’s METALCON Live! presented by METALCON Live! and The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International^® (FMA).

Celebrating MCA’s 40 Years – “Life with MCA Over the Years” by Six Industry Veterans

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) kicked off their 40th anniversary at its Winter Meeting held in January in Clearwater, Florida, and will continue to celebrate throughout the year. MCA’s 40th Anniversary is covered in depth in this month’s issue of Metal Construction News including a look back at the association’s history, a look forward at their newest program “Future Leaders,” a list of service award winners, current MCA Members, and featured here, interviews with six industry veterans to see how “Life with MCA Over the Years” has been.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Aluminum “Main Act” in “Amorphous” Design of New Theatre in China

Credit: Dezeen | Open Architecture

Dezeen reports, “Chinese studio Open Architecture has revealed the visuals for the new Yichang Grand Theatre in China, which will have an amorphous form intended to evoke flowing water.”

The 70,000 square-meter theatre will be located at the Pinghu Peninsula in Hubei Province, at a site where the Yangtze River meets the Huangbai River tributary.

To achieve these design goals, curved, matte anodized aluminum tubes will be used on the building’s outer surface.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Innovative New Door Frames by Schweiss

Schweiss Doors Erects New Manufacturing Building As Showcase For New Door Frames
Photo Credit: Schweiss Doors | DesignandBuildwithMetal.com

A leader in hydraulic doors and header frames for over 40 years, Schweiss continues to innovate. Recently featured in DesignandBuildwithMetal, their latest is erecting a new manufacturing facility to serve as a showcase for the company’s new “free-standing” header frames. The 90 by 94-foot metal building will have an inside clearance of 20 feet and will feature three hydraulic doors that illustrate the company’s free-standing header frames integrated into the hydraulic doors, allowing the doors to support themselves with no reliance on the building structure itself. Owner Mike Schweiss says, “The building and free-standing hydraulic door design will be a real exhibit that displays the new stand-alone hydraulic door. There’s nothing on the market like it.”

April is National Welding Month – Tune in Tonight to AWS’ Weld Wednesday

The metal construction industry is the sum of many parts, an integral one being welding. Since 1996, the American Welding Society has designated the month of April as National Welding Month to bring awareness to the welding industry and its available career paths. This year’s theme, “Be Part of The Future of Welding,” celebrates the industry’s vast and diverse welding community. With welding and other skilled trades continuing to see labor shortages, it is more important than ever to bring awareness to the importance of this industry.

Magnificent Metal Monday – “Take Me Out to the Ballgame …”

“Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks …” For many, this past weekend meant the opening of baseball parks around the country for the official start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. “America’s favorite pastime” is more than just the sport, it’s the experience of being in and “part of” the stadium. Thanks to an article from Steel Specialties, Inc, here’s a look at the “steel foundation” of some of America’s most beloved baseball stadiums, and what goes into building one of these beauties, the oldest being Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox since its opening in 1912.

Credit: Steel Specialties: 3d render emptry stadium evening without people

Magnificent Metal Monday – Broad Street Self-Storage Case Study

Photo Credit: Inside Self-Storage

According to Storeganize, “The self storage industry, currently valued at $54 billion, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.53% between 2022 and 2027 to hit a whopping $83.6 billion at the end of the forecast period, with the North American market is projected to contribute the largest chunk of this figure.” Given this projected demand, how will communities maintain their aesthetics as green space or older buildings give way to these typically nondescript, linear, modular looking buildings? Take a look at this MCA Case Study where metal roofing and wall panels achieve a desired aesthetic for a visible self-storage facility in a southern Californian town.

MCN 42nd Annual Contractor Survey Results Show Optimism is Prevailing Factor

Credit: Metal Construction News

Published earlier this month, the results from MCN’s 42 Annual Contractor Survey show “2022 was a year of steady work but not much growth.” Editorial Director, Paul Deffenbaugh comments, “If you wanted to sum up the overall attitude among respondents, you would use this phrase: ‘hold the course, and hope for better.'” Across all the project types surveyed — metal building systems, metal roofing, metal wall panels, and light-gauge steel framing — the survey takers who report they do those kinds of projects remained relatively flat in 2022 compared to 2021.

Regardless, Paul says, “One of the hallmarks of the construction industry and contractors in particular is their abiding optimism.” While numbers were relatively flat between 2021 and 2022, the same survey respondents report optimism toward 2023. With the exception of metal building systems, respondents anticipate being more involved in specific projects, especially with metal roofing and metal wall panels, than they had been in 2022.

2023 Top Metal Builders – Deadline to Submit Tomorrow

Each year, Metal Construction News publishes its list of Top Metal Builders by identifying the largest metal building contractors and erectors as measured by square footage and tonnage. This year’s list will be published in the May issue of MCN and it is a great way to raise the profile of your company and help differentiate you from your competitors. The deadline to enter is TOMORROW, Friday, March 17 so take a few minutes to complete a simple survey and enter your company for consideration. 

Go online and complete the form or download the form to submit by email.

VIEW the 2022 Top Metal Builders.

Metal Construction News is a publication partner of METALCON and sponsors the official show guide.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Curved Metal Roofing Panels

Thanks to our friends at DrexelMetals and the MetalCoffeeShop®, this recent article highlights the limitless design potential of curved metal roofing panels. With the advent of innovative production methods like on-site roll forming, constructing curved roofs has become a more straightforward practice. Not only do metal roofing panels simplify the installation process, but they also provide a weather-tight solution for curved roofing. Discover how these features translate into versatile building designs and learn about the innovative ways in which curved metal roofing panels are being utilized today. Read on for three examples of the versatile power.

Int’l Women’s Day and WIC Week – Featuring Women of Excellence in Metal Forming & Fabricating

Today is International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week is underway so let’s take a look at some of the women who are making strides and positively impacting the metal forming and fabricating industry. MetalForming Magazine, in conjunction with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and with the support of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), presented its Seventh Annual Women of Excellence (WoE) in Metal Forming and Fabricating Awards at the end of last year. The annual program is designed to recognize the increasing role of women in manufacturing and to spur continued advances. From scores of entries, 35 honorees were selected, representing a full range from leadership positions to those on the shop floor.

FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW – METALCONLive! and the FMA Present “Roll Forming Basics”

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Join us tomorrow, March 8, at 1:00 pm EST for a live presentation with leading roll forming expert, Paul Tiefenthal, as he covers the basics of the roll forming industry. Roll forming isn’t a single process carried out on a single type of system, but a family of processes performed on a variety of systems. Learning about roll forming is a matter of learning about roll forming lines, the processes they perform, and the roles and capabilities of auxiliary equipment including seam welders, and more. Discover all this and more details about what makes roll forming an indepth process.

METALCONLive! and the FMA Present — Roll Forming Basics — Next Wednesday, March 8

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Join us next Wednesday, March 8, as leading roll forming expert, Paul Tiefenthal, leads us in an important presentation on the basics of the roll forming industry. Roll forming isn’t a single process carried out on a single type of system, but a family of processes performed on a variety of systems. Learning about roll forming is a matter of learning about roll forming lines, the processes they perform, and the roles and capabilities of auxiliary equipment including seam welders, and more. Discover all this and more details about what makes roll forming an indepth process.

Metal Construction Hall of Fame Call for Nominations

Metal Construction News‘ call for nominees for this year’s Metal Construction Hall of Fame is underway. Founded in 2012, this annual award honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the success, innovation and growth of the metal construction industry.

The deadline to nominate is March 10, 2023.

Click here to nominate a person to the Metal Construction Hall of Fame

Magnificent Metal Monday – IDEAS² Award Winners

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has announced its annual Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) Award winners for 2023. These awards are the industry’s most prestigious design honor, recognizing projects that illustrate the exciting possibilities of building with structural steel and highlighting the many ways steel can help express architectural intent while harnessing its unique advantages for both simple and complex structural systems. This year’s winners are a mix of adaptive reuse and brand-new structures.

AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD., says, “I love how this year’s winners not only use steel to create modern masterpieces but also take full advantage of steel’s unique ability to give a second life to structures that would otherwise be demolished.” Winners are listed below, separated into the categories of “Less than $15 million,” “$15 – $75 million,” “$75 to $200 million,” and “Greater than $200 million.”

Magnificent Metal Monday – 2023 Forge Prize Finalists

The American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) annual Forge Prize competition celebrates emerging architects who create visionary designs that embrace steel as the primary structural component while exploring ways to increase project speed. AISC recently announced the three finalists, who will each take home $5,000 from the first round, will now have the opportunity to work with a steel fabricator before presenting their final concepts to the judges during a live YouTube event in late March. The winner will take home a $10,000 grand prize and be invited to present before an audience of the industry’s best minds at NASCC: The Steel Conference in April.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Steel Fabrication Pushed to New Heights with Canadian Museum Renovation Project

Photo credit: Elliott Lewis Photography

Designed by Studio Libeskind, the extension to the Royal Ontario Museum, located in downtown Toronto, truly represents the versatility of how the use of metal can bring art and design to life. Now almost five years now since the extension opened, the ROM is considered the largest Museum in Canada and attracts more than a million visitors a year. It’s new name “Michael Lee-Chin Crystal,” is derived from the building’s five intersecting metal-clad volumes, reminiscent of crystals were inspired by the crystalline forms in the Museum’s mineralogy galleries.

2022 MBMA Annual Report and Results of 1st Annual Student Design Competition

Our friends with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) have released their 2022 annual report, “From Form to Function.” It focuses on the growing popularity of metal building systems and how the organization and its members are serving the needs of this vital industry. DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE.

MBMA Chair Tom Boal says, “2022 has seen tremendous growth in the industry despite ongoing supply chain, labor and pricing challenges. With the need for metal building systems growing, MBMA continues to lead the industry through advocacy, working with building officials and steel suppliers, and providing educational resources.”

Magnificent Metal Monday – A Round Up of the Most Anticipated Projects of 2023 by ArchDaily

As the new year begins, we travel around the world to look at some exciting projects planned to open this year as compiled by ArchDaily, ranging in scale and program, from international airports to sculptural arts galleries or museum expansions. With a mix of cultural and commercial programs, the designs are located across five continents, with many under construction for multiple years. While all of the projects listed are incredible on so many levels, we’ve highlighted few stand-outs as to their use of metal to accomplish the unique design goals of the project.

Outlook for Construction in 2023

According to Construction Dive, “The industry will continue to face labor shortages, high materials costs and other headwinds, but infrastructure will be a bright spot.” Top construction economists say much like in 2022, signals are mixed. In a recent article, they took a look at five key indicators and what they suggest for contractors in the year ahead.

ATAS Announces 2023 Metal Wall Panel Installation Seminar Dates

Photo credit: ATAS International

To meet the demand of the growing metal wall cladding sector in the design and construction of both residential and commercial buildings, beginning in the new year, ATAS International will offer installation training in three of their manufacturing locations. The training is designed to assist contractors who may not be familiar with installing single skin metal wall panels and be taught by industry experts with many years of experience working with metal wall cladding.

Final Week to Make Your Voice Heard | State of the Construction Industry Survey

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METALCON and Shield Wall Media have joined forces to conduct this “State of the Construction Industry” survey. By collecting, evaluating and disseminating valuable industry data, we can all make better business decisions, chart a course towards a more prosperous future, and gain some clarity in an uncertain world. Let’s work together to grow our industry by gathering and sharing market data on the segments of the construction industry we serve.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Park Union Pedestrian Bridge a “Work of Wonder”

Recognized by Architectural Digest as a 2022 Work of Wonder, this winning project also won first place in the 2022 MCA Design Awards for the Single-Skin Metal Wall Panel category, as announced at METALCON in October. Spanning 250 feet over an active railyard, the Park Union Pedestrian Bridge in Colorado Springs, Colorado, connects visitors to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum with America the Beautiful Park. According to the MCA Design Award judges, “This pedestrian, bike, and wheelchair-friendly bridge looks like a sculpture, truly an outstanding level of craftsmanship.”

MCA 2023 Winter Meeting Details and Registration

The Metal Construction Association‘s annual Winter Meeting will take place January 22-25, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa in Clearwater, FL. The MCA Winter Meeting is open to members and non-members and the event will cover an array of topics pertinent to the use of metal in the building envelope, plus several opportunities to network with industry leaders. Registration is NOW OPEN.

S-5! Celebrates 30 Years and Announces New Products and Patents

S-5! exhibiting at METALCON last month in Indianapolis; Photo Credit: McBoat Photography

S-5!, one of the world’s leading developers of engineered, manufactured, metal roof attachments, is having a big year! Not only are they wrapping up their 30th anniversary year, but they just exhibited at METALCON for the 31st time! Additionally, they have introduced another new mounting product to the market adding to their family of clamps and attachments, and just announced 14 new patents awarded in 2022. On behalf of the METALCON team, we congratulate the S-5! family on their successes and thank them for their continued support and leadership in the metal construction community.