Steel Mezzanines

Steel Mezzanines

When it comes to increasing space, it is more economical to building up rather than to expanding outward. Mezzanines are the most common solution for building additional space inwards. A mezzanine is an intermediate floor inside a building, usually with direct access from the inside of the building.

There are a few different types of mezzanine construction, depending on the size and application. To ensure the right solution for your needs, you need to understand the variety of structural options and decking types available.

Cold rolled refers to the method of forming sheet metal into a c-channel to use as the framework of the mezzanine floor.
Cold-rolled material is much lighter than structural steel and therefore easier to handle. It can also be pre-galvanized; offering a substantial savings over painted, hot-dipped galvanized mezzanines.
Cold rolled sections are generally used as a primary or secondary beam member rather than column members.

The major disadvantages of cold-rolled mezzanines is the very limited column spacing (usually 3-4 meters max) and the inability to reach the high live loads or heavily concentrated point loads accomplished with hot rolled mezzanine systems.
Structural steel mezzanines are constructed of structural I beams, which connect to tubular columns or I-beam columns to form a primary frame.

The greatest benefit of structural steel is allowing bigger column spacing. Column spacing can increase up to 8 meters without compromising the dead and live loads on the mezzanine floor.
This means more material can be stored in a smaller area ⎯ with more space for manoeuvrability underneath.

Your mezzanine does not depend on the building for support and can be used as a totally freestanding structure or can be combined with your existing equipment.
Our mezzanine floors are individually designed and engineered to suit your specific needs.

Flooring or Decking Type

Since the type of mezzanine decking you choose will be determined by a variety of circumstances, you have a lot of options when it comes to designing your flooring system.
Whether you’re establishing an office and need a deck to support the building’s visual appeal, storing large goods and require a reinforced material to offer adequate support, or anything else, the correct decking will ensure that your floor is perfectly finished.

Tekmetsan, as experts in this field, would be delighted to assist. We’ve got you covered on everything from the suitability of mezzanine decking to which materials look best.

The most durable type of mezzanine decking is concrete. Concrete should be utilised in high-capacity industrial and military applications where the mezzanine is considered permanent since it has a high point load and negligible noise transmission through the deck.
Steel decking comes with a pour stop that allows you to pour up to 15cm of concrete.

In the waste management, mining, and food service industries, steel grating, also known as bar grating or press-locked grating, is a popular alternative.
Air, light, heat, and fluids may all pass through the deck surface thanks to steel grating. It’s powerful, long-lasting, and almost maintenance-free.

Most economical selection for general storage and office applications is the OSB flooring. OSB provides good resistance to foot traffic and can handle random wheel loads up to 150 kg.

Produced from hot-rolled steel, alongside its structural configuration made up of an evenly distributed raised pattern, our chequered plate flooring type is extremely robust and durable as well as anti-slip as standard.

Conclusion

Our mezzanine floors are individually designed and engineered to suit your specific needs.
• Maximise existing floor space into profitable rentable areas
• Increase net rentable areas by utilising full building heights
• Fully engineered and certified
• Metal fabricated stairs and Balustrades

Why to choose a steel building system ?

Why to choose a steel building system ?

The best metal buildings are made with high quality, pre-engineered, commercial-grade steel, like Tekmetsan steel buildings.

In addition, TEKMETSAN metal buildings include built-in features that add value and convenience to your building project.

Why Are So Many Builders Choosing Steel Building Systems?

Prefabricated steel buildings offer so many advantages over more traditional construction methods.

Pre-engineered steel buildings are the strongest, lightest, fastest, safest, and smartest way to build.

ECONOMICAL:  Efficient designing, engineering, production, and distribution make steel buildings affordable. Your TEKMETSAN metal building system arrives ready to assemble.

STRONG:  In addition, steel has the strongest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material.  Therefore, you can build a much stronger structure and use far less material with steel.

FAST:  Pre-engineering metal buildings dramatically streamlines construction.

Fewer framing pieces mean speedier construction, less chance of weather delays— and money saved on your construction time.

All designing, cutting, welding, and drilling is done at the factory. Every TEKMETSAN building arrives clearly marked and ready to erect.

EFFICIENT:  Sandwich panels with different insulation thickness will enable different levels of insulation. Climate-controlled steel buildings with Tekmetsan sandwich panel’s offer great utility savings.

SAFER:  A steel structure provides built-in protection from winds, snows, fire, lightning, earthquakes and aging.

ENDURING:  Steel buildings last longer, require little maintenance, and adapt to various uses easily.

TEKMETSAN’s steel building systems are also simple to expand and renovate.

 

Why Do the Best Metal Buildings Come from TEKMETSAN?

TEKMETSAN provides exceptional buildings with built-in features. We not only believe in delivering quality steel buildings, but also in delivering first-class service.  We build relationships with our clients on the strength of our product— and our service.

Conclusion

TEKMETSAN not only claims to provide the best steel buildings but also guarantees free of charge top quality service during the erection works and lifetime of its structures.

Steel building assembly

Steel building assembly

In our fast-moving world, steel buildings are offering great value to consumers.
Their large span design, versatility, and fast erection make them the ideal choice for the people investing in buildings for workshops, residential buildings, commercial and industrial space and many more other building types.

The versatility is only limited by your imagination during the design process.
The accuracy of the manufacturing of steel buildings makes erecting a steel building quick and safe; therefore, occupancy can be in weeks rather than months.

Much like any construction, careful attention must be given to the below considerations for standing a building.

What are the basic requirements to start erection ?

1. A good packed flat excavated surface is the start for the whole process. A groundwork contractor may help you to 

2. The concrete must be poured correctly with a flat uniform surface. Dips or valleys will cause you problems in the later stage if they are not dealt right after the pouring. 

3. The anchor bolts must be set and squared off to insure fit for the building columns. The blueprints provided by Tekmetsan is your guide in the anchor bolt instalment. We always recommend you to consult a land surveyor whilst placing the anchor bolts.

4. An erection must be performed according to the manufacturer’s assembly requirements. There should not be corrections needed if all phases of this project are complying with the stamped prints supplied. 

5. An accredited building manufacturer should be assigned. The building can only be erected in a safe and timely manner with no delays if the manufacturer supplies good quality and correctly manufactured parts.

How long should erecting a steel building take?

This is a frequently asked question, and the answer is dependent on several factors.

There are certain things that cannot be counted on when an erector gives you a quote to build your steel structure.

• Is the foundation ready and anchor bolts correctly placed?

• Weather forecast- Any rainy or snow days ahead

• All the steel parts are ready on jobsite.

• Any damaged or faulty part?

• Access of the crew and lifting equipment to the jobsite is possible

When an erector is scheduling their works, they have to take into account the equipment and crew required at the job site, how long it should take to complete various stages of erection, and making sure they can get to their next scheduled appointment on time.

When the next job is scheduled and any of the above problems happen, the equipment and crew become idle which will cause a financial burden either to erector, the customer or both. Crews have to wait and reschedule equipment and manpower to return for better weather or new parts. Also delays may affect the schedules of the next job of the erector causing them losing their next job. It is very important to us at Tekmetsan that the erectors have all they need. And also all parts are correct and accounted for. We provide detailed assembly drawings and part drawings to make the job of the erector as easy as possible. The easier and faster the building goes up is a compliment to us and also a value for our customers.

Erection check list

• Foundation: anchor bolts are placed correctly and levelled

• Access to the jobsite for delivery of the materials, equipment and crew

• Clear job site around the foundation so materials can be separated and stacked as needed

• Equipment to unload the truck and manpower to inventory bundles and crates.

Metal Cladding Options

Metal Cladding Options

Aluminium Composite Panels ( Alucobond)

Aluminium Composite Panels are a lightweight metal cladding ideal for external facades and rain screen cladding amongst other applications.
Aluminium Panels are a composite panel consisting of two aluminium cover sheets and a mineral-filled polymer core.
The surfaces are coated using exclusively high quality and eco-friendly lacquer systems making them weather resistant. These panels can be fully recycled.

It is the combination of formability, flatness, stability and weather resistance that characterises this façade panel as an excellent option for a building façade.

There are two ranges from aluminium composite panels which Tekmetsan supply:
• Fire rated to EN 13501-1 class B
• Fire rated to EN 13501-1 class A2
Tekmetsan offer a complete fabrication service for aluminium facades, please contact our technical department for details.

Insulated Panels (Sandwich Panels)

A modern solution for both residential and commercial construction projects, sandwich panels are composite elements that can be used to build floors, walls, and roofs. Also known as insulated panels, sandwich panels consist of an insulation layer, known as the core, ‘sandwiched’ between two structural layers.

Thanks to advancements in construction materials, sandwich panels have come a long way from their early prototypes. Nowadays, these panels can be engineered to withstand a variety of internal and external conditions, which makes them a popular choice for both interior and exterior use – meaning walls as well as façades, ceilings as well as roof systems.
Airtight sandwich panels are also an excellent choice for building cold store units, which require specific interior climate conditions to safely store anything from foods to medicine. The performance of sandwich panels varies depending on the materials used for its core and its exterior layers, often referred to as the sheathing.
These days, the most popular materials for the core are expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyisocyanurate (PIR), polyurethane (PUR), mineral wool (MW). Although each material comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, PIR and PUR cores are generally more resistant to water and fire than EPS or XPS cores, and are more durable than mineral wool or other materials.

Regardless of the materials used, one of the greatest advantages of sandwich panels is that they are much faster to install as compared to ‘built-up’ systems requiring multiple components. Instead of requiring walls and roofs to be assembled step-by-step – a process which is prone to delays as well as errors in construction – sandwich panels are factory pre-engineered to be single-component systems, requiring minimal time and energy to be built. This, in turn, translates to significant savings in labour, time and material costs for builders.

Tekmetsan offers a complete design and procurement services for the sandwich panel cladding and roofing projects

Single Skin Metal Sheet

Tekmetsan offer a self-supporting steel profiled single skin cladding system suitable for both roof and walls. The profiles consist of a coated steel outer sheet rolled to several cladding profiles which can be used to form roofs and for wall cladding. 

The single skin offering includes a comprehensive range of fixings, sealants, flashings and roof lights.

Perforated Aluminium

Cladding a building with perforated metal is a very effective way to enliven the facade of what would otherwise be a simple cubed structure. … 

Large perforations allow more natural light to pass through the cladding, but still protect buildings that have large glazed elements from direct sunlight.

Perforated metal panels are produced by punching holes of different shapes and sizes into cold sheets of metal to create various patterns. 

Available in a large variety of finishes including powder coated and anodised, perforated metal provides designers and architects with the freedom to create a diverse range of patterns and designs. 

The amount and size of the perforations are a critical factor for consideration in the design process. We can supply round, square or special-shaped perforated systems as well as bespoke perforated or embossed patterns to suit your project design requirements.

A range of tools can be utilised alongside punching machines to create different perforations or emboss patterns that can be either convex or concave.

The material work hardening properties that result from the embossing process create a much stronger panel solution. As well as the aesthetic properties, perforated panel systems are an effective method of satisfying ventilation and solar shading requirements.

Our specialists can provide expert advice and guidance to assist you in selecting the appropriate format of perforated metal panel to suit individual budgets, designs and installation requirements.

Weathering Steel

When exposed to atmospheric conditions, Weathering Steel undergoes an oxidisation process, where protective layers develop on the material’s surface. These layers contribute to performance and create the metal’s rust coloured architectural aesthetic.

When first installed Weathering Steel is grey in colour. Once exposed to atmospheric conditions, the oxidisation process begins. It can take several months for the material to fully transform, morphing from grey into bright orange, and eventually settling into a deep golden brown.

As with any distinctive façade material, weathering steel ( often also referred as Corten steel) specifications require considerable thought and planning, however, as a growing number of projects have shown, when used well it can deliver truly iconic buildings which will continue to change and surprise over time.

Steel Building Foundation System

Steel Building Foundation System

Regardless of what type of steel building you choose, you will need to consider steel building foundation options before construction your building 

This selection should be carried out cautiously for any type of steel building.

Durability and sustainability of the building are very much dependent on how well the foundation is designed and how well it is constructed. An ideal foundation should transfer the dead and service loads of the buildings effectively to the soil beneath without incurring any structural damage. This includes avoiding settlement and/or tilting of the walls and building frame.

lnitial Building Foundation Considerations

Before initiating the selection process, below variables should be taken into consideration. There may be some additional considerations that your building expert will ask you about, but these are a good starting point:

1. The type of soil and its bearing characteristics. As the soil having immediate contact with the footing would be bearing a greater share of stress. So ensure to excavate any dirt poor soil and replace it with a high-quality soil if required.

2. The loading conditions depending on the type of usage. You must be clear about how many vehicles would be parked on the foundation and any other heavy items being stored on it.

3. Wind, Snow, and Earthquake conditions. As the steel building would be anchored with the foundation, any lateral or uplifting load is directly transferred to the building. Because of this if you live in an area prone to earthquakes, then this is something to let your building rep. know. Also if you happen to be in an area with heavy winds, or snow loads then those need to be factored in since any pressure put on the building is transferred down to the foundation itself.

4. The area of the building and the size of the plot: The land can be surveyed for grading and area. This may seem simple, but be sure to get the tape measure out at the very least and ensure you have enough space. Not only space for the building itself, but for a perimeter around it as well.

Steel Building Foundation Options

Slab Foundations (Floating Foundation)

Slab foundations are also sometimes called floating slabs or floating foundations. This is because of the fact that it literally floats over the undisturbed soil. If large enough, it can span patches of poor bearing soils. This feature makes it an ideal choice for softer soils, like in coastal areas that could sink or settle unequally.

If you’re working on a budget then a slab foundation is likely your best choice. As an economical solution, this floating type of slab foundation is very popular and common. It can be poured easily and quickly. If you’re planning to construct a shed, a garage or some extension work which is not wider than 15 meters, than this is the most suitable option. Unlike other types, it does not require any extensive excavation and also fewer labours are adequate.

Often, on the exterior perimeter of the slab foundation, a thickened reinforced edge beam is added. It’s referred to as a grade beam. The thickness of the slab would be decided by the engineer of record, keeping in view the above-stated inputs. Typically a slab in between 12-18 cm would be enough.

Reinforcements are embedded in the concrete. If you intend to store a particularly heavy load on the steel building foundation then you must use concrete of high compressive strength i.e. about 4000 psi. For normal usage, 2500 psi could do the job.

If you have a problem fixing the reinforcement mesh in the concrete slab; you can use fiber reinforced concrete which has considerable tensile strength when compared with that of un-reinforced concrete.

Pier Foundation

There are two main ways to go about a Pier Foundation. You can either construct your steel building directly on pile or pier, or you can embed the pier in the floating concrete slabs. It looks similar in style to the foundation of decks for the building. In slab foundation type, the top of concrete slab serves the purpose of the floor while in this type the floor is left as dirt or rough gravel.

This type of foundation is ideal for agricultural sheds and open pavilions where an enclosure is never a need. The most common type of pier foundation has a grade beam which ties together all the piers which help in resisting horizontal column reactions. Pier foundation is comparatively expensive than slab foundation but it offers resilience against wind uplift pressure and seismic stress reversals.

Perimeter Wall Foundation

Referred to as standard foundation, this type is used for steel buildings wider than 15 meters. You can also call it a T-wall foundation, perimeter wall foundation or frost wall foundation. The strip which is wider than the width of the perimeter wall provides stability by distributing the load over a larger area. The columns of the steel buildings are anchored trough embedded bolts in concrete pedestals in the strip wall. This type of footing should run below the maximum anticipated frost line.

You can cast this foundation in three stages; first, the strip is cast followed by concreting the perimeter wall. After curing, the plinth of the building is backfilled and the floor is afterward cast. This type of foundation requires labor force and is time-consuming as you’d require fixing formwork and waiting for the curing of the concrete.

Who Designs a Metal Building Foundation?

You will need to hire a local concrete engineer to design your steel building foundation.  They will be best qualified to determine the specifics for using perimeter walls, piers, or a concrete slab for metal building foundations.

TEKMETSAN provides the anchor bolt plans and technical information for your foundation engineer and contractor in order to plan the perfect foundation for your steel structure.  This allows your foundation to be poured and cured in advance, so construction can begin immediately when your steel framing arrives.

Engineer of Record for the Steel Building

Engineer of Record for the Steel Building

The engineering team of Tekmetsan has a wide range of structural diversity and expertise. With more than 10 years of experience in the metal building industry, we can meet any of your structural design needs for your next metal building project. 

However, typically the metal building manufacturer is only responsible for the structural design of the metal building system. Items not provided by Tekmetsan must be designed by “another” design professional. 

Please see below for a list of services that that should be provided by the EOR (Engineer of Record).

  • Local Building Codes
    • Code & Design Load Determination
    • Serviceability Determination
    • Other
  • Foundation Design
    • Footings and Slabs
    • Block Foundations
  • Wall Cladding Design
    • CMU
    • Tilt-up Concrete
    • Brick and Metal Studs
  • Retrofit of Existing Buildings
    • Expansion
    • Occupancy Change
    • Unanticipated Load Additions

Metal building systems have evolved over the decades into collection of structural items that work together as a very efficient structural system. The fundamental parts of the metal building system are: primary members of load bearing frames, secondary members composed of wall girts and roof purlins, bracing and cladding. Metal building system design may seem simple at first, but the complex interaction of these components into a durable and robust system is a challenging engineering job. Tekmetsan have demonstrated this experience and are on the leading edge of systems design.

In a metal building systems, design responsibilities are usually divided between the manufacturer and the design professional or EOR (Engineer of Record). Therefore, a clear understanding of their respective roles, as well as coordination and interaction are vital for success. Tekmetsan has a deep experience engaging with clients’ EORs and interact in the most effective way from initial contact to the completion of the building construction.

For a successful project execution and compliance with the local building regulations, the building manufacturer is responsible only for the structural design of the metal building system it sells to the building.
The manufacturer is not the EOR for the construction project. The manufacturer is not responsible for the design of any components or materials not sold by them.
Nor are they responsible for the interface and connection of other components with the metal building system, unless such design responsibility is specifically required by the order documents.
However, Tekmetsan always take a further step and engages in the design of the components which are connected to its steel building system.
It is the responsibility of the metal building manufacturer to design a metal building system to conform to the specifications, including the design criteria and design loads incorporated by the builder.

We recommend that the customer to work with a local EOR which will be responsible for specifying the design criteria for the metal building system.
These design criteria should include the geometric requirements, all applicable codes and design loads, site and construction conditions that affect design criteria, and serviceability criteria.
This will enable the client to ensure the builders/manufacturers bidding on the project understand and interpret the requirements in a similar and accurate manner.
Just as importantly, a proper specification ensures the building performs satisfactorily and meets the owner’s requirements.
The metal building system is just one element of the total construction project.
Tekmetsan does not provide site preparation, mechanical work, electrical design, and certain building envelope components/accessories.
The EOR is typically responsible for these important elements of the project as well as floor slabs, interior/exterior concrete masonry and /or tilt-up walls, and the connection of these walls to the metal building framing.
With regard to the foundation design, Tekmetsan does prepare the anchor bolt plans showing the location, diameter, and projection of the bolts required to attach the metal building system to the foundation.

Conclusion

Tekmetsan engages with the clients’ EOR throughout the project to provide a smooth progress and peace of mind to its customers while at the same time complying local building regulations and specific project requirements.

Sourcing building materials from Turkey

Sourcing building materials from Turkey

Tekmetsan not only produces steel buildings but also assists its clients with construction project management and procurement of construction materials from Turkish vendors.
Our Procurement department have vast experience with various Turkish construction material manufacturers. We assist our clients to find right materials from reliable sources.

What information do you need from me to start the product sourcing service?

We will need your product photos, specifications, estimated order quantity, and your target price.
The more detailed the information the better it will help our product sourcing agents find the most suitable suppliers.

How soon will I receive a product quotation?

Depending on the complexity of the product, our product sourcing lead time is 3 to 7 working days.
If you need to get an urgent quote, please let us know. But if you can wait, the additional time allows us to perform a more thorough product sourcing process.

Besides product sourcing services, what other services do you offer?

We provide buyers with all the services they need to import from Turkey, including order follow-up, factory inspection and ocean freight.

What products do you specialize in sourcing?

We have sourced and shipped many building materials for our buyers including rock wool, perforated railings, aluminium panels, furniture and lightings. 

Do you have your own storage for the shipping of these materials?

We have our own warehouse to collect the ordered goods and efficiently load them into minimum required number of containers.

Common Metal Building Terminology

Common Metal Building Terminology

Anchor Bolts
The bolts or rods that fasten components to the foundation or other support. Anchor bolts are usually set in concrete, but they may also be drilled and then set with an epoxy.
Approval Drawings
Product drawings sent to the customer to verify the dimensions and design. These drawings are also used to verify the services and materials the manufacturer will provide.
Bay
The horizontal space between the main frames or primary supporting members. A structural steel system with rafter beams that are supported by columns.
Bracing
Rods, cables and angles used in the plane of the walls and roof for the purpose of transferring loads to the foundation.
Clear Span
Describes a building with no internal supports. This makes the entire space under the roof usable.
Clip
A metal fastener that holds a component or panel in place.
Corner Column
Corner columns are usually “C” shaped and are placed along the corner of a bearing frame endwall.
Curtain Wall
These are perimeter wall panels that only carry their own weight.
Dead Load
Describes the weight of the structure as well as any permanent stationary loads.
Deck
A structural surface in which the insulation, roofing or waterproofing system is applied.
Eave
A line that runs along the sidewall. Eaves are formed by the intersection of the wall panels and the roof.
Eave Height
Refers to the distance between the finished floor and the top of the eave strut. The roof panel height is not included in the eave height.
Eave Strut
A structural member located at the eave. The strut supports the wall and roof panels.
Endwall
The exterior wall that runs parallel to the building’s primary frame.
Envelope
Separates the interior and exterior of the building. Screws or clips used to attach panels to frame members or other panels.
Flashing
A piece of metal that seals edgings along walls, drains, expansion joints or gravel stops.
Footing
A mat or pad, usually made of concrete, that sits underneath a wall, column or other structural member. The footing distributes loads from the member onto the supporting soil. The substructure that the building rests on. Foundations are typically made of concrete and has footings for columns to rest on.
Frame
A series of columns and rafters that support the secondary framing.
Framed Opening
An opening in a wall formed by flashing and framing members.
Gable
A triangular area of the building’s endwall that sits above the eave height and below the sloping roof.
Girt
A horizontal structural member that attaches to endwall or sidewall columns. Wall coverings are attached to girts and supported horizontally.
Haunch
Sometimes referred to as “Knee.” The haunch is the roof’s lowest point, and it’s designed to handle the stress of where columns and rafters connect.
Joist
Open web beams used for support in the floor or roof of a mezzanine. They can effectively carry large loads or span large distances.
Live Load
A varying or moving load that the structure supports. A roof live load, for example, usually refers to snow load.
Main Framing
Consists of steel frames that support secondary framing members, such as purlins, eave struts and girts.
Sandwich Panel
Insulation panels cover the roof and wall areas.
Pier
Concrete structures that transfer a vertical load from a column’s base to a footing.
Pitch
A slope or incline measured by percent or degrees, or by the rise and run ratio.
Purlin
A horizontal structural member in the roof that supports sheeting and is supported by the building’s primary framing.
Rake
Where the plane of the endwall and the plane of the roof intersect.
Rafter
A primary structural member that runs from haunch to apex. Rafters are any beams used in the main framing to support purlins.
Ridge
The highest point of the roof; a horizontal line that runs along the length of the building.
Secondary Framing
Structural members that carry loads from the surface of the building to the primary framing members. Girts and purlins are both considered secondary framing.
Self-Tapping Screws
A special fastener that taps, or creates, threads inside a predrilled hole.
Standing Seam
A standing seam is an upturned ribbed that has a watertight seal.
Trim
Used to finish a building. Trim is typically applied to framed openings and where surfaces intersect. Light gauge metal is used for trim.
Truss
Consists of three or more members. Each member carries a tension or compression force, therefore acting as a beam.
Wall Covering
Exterior wall panels or sheets and their attachments, trim and sealants.
Wind Load
Refers to the load from wind blowing in a horizontal direction.
X-Bracing
Provides additional strength and bracing through the use of rods, cables and sometimes, angles.

Quality Assurance of Tekmetsan Steel Structures

Quality Assurance of Tekmetsan Steel Structures

At Tekmetsan, we go above and beyond to provide our customers with the best quality metal building systems we possibly can. 

Metal fabrication requires an eye for detail, and with so many variables coming into play it is crucial that those overseeing your job have the knowledge and experience necessary to deliver a quality product. 

Sloppy and hasty workmanship can negatively affect the appearance, structural integrity and overall lifespan of the steel structure.

In this post, we’ll be shedding some light on the quality assurance procedures and what makes our structural steel stand out from our competitors.

 
The Need for Quality Assurance

Metal fabrication is not a simple process, particularly when it comes to structural steel. You are already aware of the incredible properties of steel which include its strength, longevity, aesthetic appeal and robustness to name just a few. 

But what you may not be aware of is that poor refinement and fabrication can compromise the finished product, leading to vastly reduced strength and longevity.

At Tekmetsan we keep a close eye on the finish, aiming to remove all defects prior to delivery to ensure a great customer experience.

How We Ensure Quality

1. Cutting Edge Equipment & Machinery
We invest in the success of our business, using the CNC controlled machinery ensuring they are calibrated on a regular intervals. We hold regular quality assurance inspections to ensure our equipment are in good condition and all welding/fabricating equipment is properly functioning.

2. Experienced Staff
Our production team have extensive training/qualifications and experience in welding, and they recognise their role within the customer experience. We utilise tried and true welding methods and oversee all work to ensure that it meets our strict specifications.

3. Expert Steel Knowledge
Tekmetsan has been in operation since 1971. As a leading Turkish steel fabricator, it goes without saying that we know our product. We have expert knowledge on the different types of steel and what they are like to work with, and our aim is to make working with steel easy. With the right processes, people and vendor relationships in place you can rest easy knowing that we are the steel experts.

 

4. Strong Relationships with Mills and Vendors
We source our steel from renowned mills and vendors who share our passion for quality. Throughout our history we have developed strong business relationships built on trust, and our vendors know that we make no compromises when it comes to the quality of our materials. We pay close attention to the grade of steel, carbon levels, alloy composition and tensile strengths to ensure it meets your exact specifications.

5. Attention to Detail
Structural steel fabrication must be carried out with care and attention to detail, otherwise the longevity and safety of a structure will be compromised. Just a few millimetres difference could bring a project to a halt. We have processes in place to ensure all design/measurement specifications are adhered to.

6. Weld Quality Management

We have a full-time Internal Welding Coordinator, a Quality Assurance Checker and an external Welding Coordinator who are solely responsible for overseeing manufacture and fabrication of our steel structures.

We also have strict weld quality management processes in place and are certified as a structural steelwork manufacturer up to Execution Class (EXC) 2 in accordance with BS EN 1090-2:2008+A1:2011.

Our Fabrication and Welding team members performing welding duties have demonstrated their competence skills in accordance with EN 9606-1 and are all trained in Defect Identification and Visual Inspection of Welds.

7. Accreditation, standards and quality

We are ISO 9001 Quality Management System accredited and CE Marked.

CE marking of our construction products is achieved through our Factory Production Control (FPC) in compliance with EN 1090-1: 2009 + A1:2011.

All of our structural steelwork conforms to current international codes.

How to Erect a Steel Building

How to Erect a Steel Building

The erection of structural steelwork consists of the assembly of steel components into a frame on site. The components are then lifted and placed into position before they are connected together.

Steel erection essentially consists of four main tasks: 

• Establishing that the foundations are suitable and safe for erection to commence.

• Lifting and placing components into position, generally using cranes but sometimes by jacking. To secure components in place bolted connections will be made, but will not yet be fully tightened. Bracings may similarly not be fully secured.

• Aligning the structure, principally by checking that column bases are lined and level and columns are plumb. Packing in beam-to-column connections may need to be changed to allow column plumb to be adjusted.

• Bolting-up which means completing all the bolted connections to secure and impart rigidity to the frame.

Generally, connection is achieved through bolting but, in some cases, site welding is used. The assembled frame needs to be aligned to within tolerance expectations before final bolting up is completed. 

The completed steel frame may then be handed over to following trades in an acceptable condition. 

Design for construction

The successful construction (including erection) of steel structures safely, quickly and economically starts long before the actual steelwork arrives on site from the fabrication shop. The ‘buildability’ of the structure is influenced significantly by decisions made during the design process long before erection commences.

It is important that designers clearly understand the impact of their decisions. Design for construction is a valid design objective and one that should be considered along with the other usual design objectives in play.

Erection planning

Planning for erection should start at the very beginning of the design process. Such planning should consider the construction sequence, the design factors that affect buildability and site practice in terms of typical erection plant.

 

In the broader design and planning context, there are three planning factors that affect the buildability of steel structures:

1. Practical erection sequence: the location of both temporary and permanent bracing systems or other means of maintaining structural equilibrium are crucial here

2. Simplicity of assembly: simply assembled connections are the main factor here

3. Logical trade sequences: which will affect the development of the master contract programme as the pre-tender plan metamorphoses into the construction plan.

Conclusion

Tekmetsan supports its clients during the erection works and offers free consultation and installation guideline to assist the clients.