Steel Buildings

Fertilizer is the true workhorse of American agriculture. More vital than any tractor or farm equipment and as helpful as any farmhand, its plays an integral role in the production of fruit and vegetables we enjoy every day.

During the pandemic, many supply chains worldwide were disrupted, causing shortages that still severely affect farmers today. However, with Covid restrictions and quarantines easing, the fertilizer market is set to expand by nearly 14% in 2022 alone. Key drivers for this market are a growing population and an increase in technological capabilities.

And sitting at the forefront of those advances is the metal building industry. Prefab metal buildings have long been integral to both agricultural sectors and chemical production and storage. But now, with the help of innovation, these structures can offer a wide variety of additional features that have made them one of the most popular choices on the market.

Why the Fertilizer Industry Trusts Custom Metal Buildings

The proper storage of chemicals plays an essential role in many different industries. After all, fertilizer, like many other chemical products, can be extremely dangerous if not correctly stored. From explosive concerns to environmental pollution, understanding how to use, maintain, and house these materials is absolutely necessary.

But what about custom metal buildings make them such a useful tool for chemical storage? Let’s dive into the details of what these structures have to offer:

1. Clear Span Interiors

Unlike most conventional structures, metal buildings can be built at enormous sizes with little need for internal support columns. These clear-span structures are a fantastic solution for offering an incredible amount of interior square footage.

2. Fully Customizable

Metal buildings have the added advantage of being fully customizable. From top to bottom, almost every aspect of a prefab structure can be customized or adjusted to fit your needs. The dimensions, footprint, roofing, paneling, and framing are just a few of the facets that can be changed.

3. Superior Ventilation

To safely store fertilizer and certain chemicals, proper ventilation is a necessity. And warehouse metal buildings come with the ability to customize the ventilation to suit your application.

4. Corrosion-Resistance

Another crucial aspect of storing chemicals according to regulations and guidelines is preventing corrosion. For example, corrosion can compromise chemical containers, opening businesses to the risk of fires, explosions, or worse.

5. Moisture Protection

Like corrosion, moisture damage and rust can also compromise vital machinery and containment tanks, possibly resulting in catastrophic consequences. Luckily, the galvanized steel used in prefab metal buildings is resistant to moisture damage and rust.

6. Fire Resistance

Did you know that metal buildings can withstand temperatures up to 1,200 degrees? That makes these structures some of the most suitable options for chemical storage. And while no building is truly fireproof, having a structure that naturally holds up against most fires is invaluable for many businesses.

7. Insulation

With proper insulation, steel buildings can maintain a more even internal temperature and keep excess moisture at bay. Both qualities are essential for safe and effective chemical storage.

Vital Things to Consider When Investing in a Metal Building

Purchasing any type of structure is a considerable investment. But buying a commercial-sized building that’s built to house potential volatile chemicals is an entirely different animal.

Nevertheless, having a comprehensive grasp of your needs is a great start! For everything else, we’ve put together a small checklist of things you’ll need to keep in mind.

1. Find a Suitable Location

Location is everything! Before you purchase a structure, you’ll need to find a suitable location. To prevent flooding, you will need to choose an area that rests above any natural water drainage or runoff. The building site will also need to be leveled appropriately and cleared of debris.

As for chemical storage, you’ll want to choose a location that’s a safe distance from residential homes, with easy access for employees or emergency crews.

2. Zoning Issues and Building Codes

As with any commercial business, your first outward step will be to secure the proper zoning for your property and to ensure that you’re following all local building codes. You’ll want to work closely with your local building inspectors for this part of the project.

3. Safety

Handling hazardous materials is a serious business. The most critical elements of chemical storage are the safety of your employees, nearby citizens, and the environment. Fertilizers and certain chemical compounds can be volatile and pose a real explosion risk if mishandled. Therefore, you’ll need to be trained on HAZMAT safety procedures, and you will need to consult with safety consultants to ensure that you’re following all legal guidelines.

4. Sizing

How big will you need your structure to be? Having a comprehensive grasp on how much square footage you’ll need will help you make a more educated decision on what size metal building works best. In addition to size, you’ll want to plan your building footprint and account for any extra rooms or utilities it will need to contain.

5. Local Weather Patterns

While most of the US has a moderate climate, many regions are home to various potentially hazardous weather patterns. From thunderstorms to flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, and even hurricanes, your building will need to be designed to handle the weather in your area. This is especially important for structures that contain or produce fertilizers and hazardous chemicals.

6. Choose the Right Metal Building Provider

Let’s face it. There are a ton of different metal building providers out there. And not all of them are great at their jobs. Therefore, when choosing a steel structure, it’s crucial to do the homework and choose a provider with a history of producing quality structures and delivering excellent customer service. By performing this due diligence, you’ll significantly streamline your metal building project and eliminate many construction-related headaches.

Safeway Steel is Your Trusted Name for Custom Metal Buildings of All Kinds

Whether it’s a metal storage building or an enormous commercial warehouse built for storing fertilizer, Safeway Steel has the expertise to deliver strong, durable structures and low metal building prices.

So, if you’ve been thinking about building a fertilizer storage facility for your farm or entering into the chemical storage business, we can help! Give us a call today at +1 (800) 818-2245 and let our team of building experts help you design and customize a commercial-grade steel structure for your next project!

Steel Buildings and Firehouses

When local municipalities require a new building, steel is often the construction method of choice due to its strength and cost-effective design. Most regional governments have precise timetables in which they’re required to operate and work stringently to maximize the ‘bang’ for their buck.

And that’s precisely why so many fire departments trust steel buildings for their firehouses and equipment storage buildings. These sturdy structures offer the flexibility required to work for any job or application and deliver the dependability expected from the community. Today, we’ll walk through some of the biggest reasons fire departments across the US choose metal buildings for their firehouses.

Essential Things to Consider When Purchasing a Steel Building

Buying a new metal building of any size is an immense investment. That’s why it’s critical to perform the necessary research to find a structure that works for you and your needs. Below, we’ve put together a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when buying your new steel structure.

1. Building Size?

How large of a building will you need? Having a solid grasp on the structure size that best suits your requirements is a fundamental step that will help you throughout the remainder of the process. You’ll want to take measurements of vehicles and generate an idea of how much square footage you’ll require. Performing these steps will minimize any issues or headaches you may encounter along the way.

2. Budget

All building projects will require a budget. Drafting a budget will allow you to complete a project on time while considering any extra expenses that may occur. For many government departments, a budget will already be drafted before the construction of any structure.

3. Foundation

What foundation will you pick for your metal building? While there are several options available, most fire stations will require concrete slabs, which are one of the strongest, most durable foundations.

4. Functionality

How will you use your structure? Fire departments will need a building that features vehicle storage, changing rooms, kitchens, sleeping quarters, and more. You’ll need to design your structure to account for all these necessities.

5. Location

Do you have an installation site ready? If not, you’ll need to ensure your build location is level, properly graded, and cleared of debris. Additionally, a concrete foundation must have ample time to properly cure before construction begins.

6. Customization

One of the most prominent features that sets metal buildings apart from the competition is their customizability. From top to bottom, almost every facet of a steel structure can be customized and adapted to fit your needs. You can change the paneling, trim, roofing styles, windows, doors, and even the wainscoting!

Why Steel is the Best Option for Fire Stations and Government Buildings

While metal buildings have been around for years, modern engineering has made them the go-to solution for many construction projects. At one point, metal buildings were relegated to garages and backyard sheds, but now they’re the most popular choice for commercial, industrial, and governmental facilities. This prevalence is due to:

1. Construction Speed

Steel buildings can be built in a fraction of the time it takes to construct a similar-sized wooden structure. For example, a wood building might take weeks or months to complete, but a metal building can be completed in mere days.

2. Low Cost

With lumber prices soaring, it’s no surprise that people are turning to steel buildings for cost-efficiency. As a result, your average steel structure can be built for much less than you’d spend on traditional construction options.

3. Strength and Durability

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a building more stable and capable of taking on the elements than a metal building. These structures are engineered to withstand high winds, heavy rain, snow, and seismic activity.

4. Energy Efficiency

Since metal buildings are constructed using precise mechanical components, they fit together more snugly than a wooden structure. And combined with proper insulation, a metal building provides a more even internal temperature and can drastically lower your energy consumption.

5. Eco-Friendly Construction

Did you know that steel is 100% recyclable? Not only does it carry a much smaller carbon footprint than lumber, but it can also be melted down and reused with no detriment to its strength.

6. Insurance Savings

Many insurance companies base their rates on the relative risk of a structure. And since metal buildings are resistant to rust, mold, pests, and even fires up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, insurance providers will often quote lower rates on policies covering steel buildings.

7. Reduced Maintenance Costs

Since metal buildings are forged from galvanized steel, they’re naturally resistant to elemental dangers like moisture, mold, pests, and fire. As a result, you’ll spend far less time maintaining or repairing metal buildings than you would with a wooden structure.

8. Customizability

Steel buildings can be customized for a wide variety of purposes, putting you in the driver’s seat to change your paneling, roofing, color schemes, trim, and much more. The only limit here is your budget and your imagination!

Important Features for Your Metal Fire Station

When designing and building a fire station, there are a few qualities your structure will need to possess.

1. Strength and Heavy-Duty Design

Your building will likely undergo years of intense wear and tear from heavy equipment, traffic, vehicles, and more. Therefore, your new building needs to be built to handle it.

2. Space

A building that houses an entire fire department will need plenty of room. And that’s why metal structures are the superior option! Some metal buildings, like our clear span buildings, can be built at enormous sizes with no need for internal supports.

3. Fire-Resistance Capabilities

While firefighters aren’t likely to bring fire back home with them, having a structure that can stand up to potential fires is vital. Luckily, steel buildings are designed to resist temperatures as high as 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, making them one of the most fire-resistant construction types on the market.

4. Extensive Planning

As with most government agencies, the planning and design phase takes considerable time. These institutions will have many procedures, regulations, and rules they must abide by. Planning your structure early is a great way to avoid potential pitfalls.

Safeway Steel is Your Number One Choice for All Metal Buildings

Whether you’re building a new firehouse, governmental building, or residential metal structure, you can count on Safeway Steel to deliver premium quality structures at affordable prices. Our buildings are engineered for strength, durability, and flexibility, allowing them to work well for a wide array of purposes.

So, if you’ve been planning your next building project, you’ve come to the right place. Give our building specialists a call today at +1 (800) 818-2245 and let them help you design, customize, and construct a steel structure that works for you!

Sometimes, a regular building just won’t cut it. You need a large metal building, with plenty of interior space. Large metal buildings from Safeway Steel have a clear-span interior, leaving ample space inside. This space is ideal for large storage, ample workspace, or just about anything you may require one for. It’s the large metal building’s customizability that makes them an essential part of everyday communities.

Metal church buildings are popping up all over the US, and while they look amazing, many of us are unsure why they have chosen steel over timber.

Society has long demonized cold storage warehouses. Pop culture depicts them as perfect grounds for mob gunplay, torture, and good, old-fashioned movies — but the truth is far from such exaggerated imagery. The fact of the matter is, we rely on cold storage every day to keep our food refrigerated and safe to consume.