CAN A METAL BUILDING BE MOVED? RELOCATING AN EXISTING STEEL STRUCTURE

Steel buildings, large and small, are moved all the time. Also known as structure relocation or structural moving, taking a large steel building for a ride can be done. In fact, a metal building can be one of the easiest large structures to move, simply because it is designed in pieces which can be taken apart carefully and put back together.

In fact, many steel buildings have already been assembled and disassembled before you received them. However, a building that has been in place for some time may need a little extra work and care to take apart successfully.

Unless you are experienced at moving these structures, you should hire experienced structural movers with the trucks, tools, and people to do the job. Steel building manufacturers sometimes offer these services.



WHY MOVE A METAL BUILDING?
Structures of all types are moved for a variety of reasons.

The location of the building may be smack in the middle of an area of redevelopment. You may want to improve the views from the building by shifting its direction or changing locations.
The land under your building is being sold, but you want to keep the building. Maybe your building is in danger where it is; it may be in a flood plain or the ground beneath it is eroding.
Sometimes buildings are moved due to construction or to fix errors.
Moving something the size of a metal building, even when it’s in pieces, takes a lot of planning and coordination. If it's an older building, you may need to have openings cut for steel beam installation; newer ones already have them. If your building has pre-welded clips, it can speed things up considerably.

Depending on the size, it can take numerous 18-wheeled vehicles to move everything from one place to another.

WHAT EQUIPMENT IS NECESSARY FOR RELOCATING A STEEL BUILDING?
If the entire structure is to be moved, a temporary steel framework may be installed under the structure for support. “Mains” are installed along two or four sides of the structure to support the cross beams and rest on the roll beams. Interior bracing may take the form of shear walls or diagonal bracing while exterior bracing may be provided by tension cables.

Wood beams, called cribs, cribbing, or box cribs, are stacked under the structure as it is lifted. Once the building is at height, a flatbed truck is driven under the structure, or it is placed on hydraulic jacks or manual jackscrews, which are placed between the mains and roll beams, and keep the structure level. Push jacks are sometimes used to move the structure horizontally.

MOVING SMALLER BUILDINGS
A smaller steel building may be moved as a unit, especially if you are only moving it a few feet. Picture a child’s sled; you can place wooden skids underneath the wall units on both sides of the structure. If needed, you can cut 2X4s to the width of the building and attach them to the skids to create a frame. Now attach a tow rope and slide the building to its new location.

Carefully remove the skids, lower it to the ground, and you’re done.

DECONSTRUCTION
There are a series of steps in disassembling a metal building to get it ready for transport.

Remove the trim and accessories
Remove roof panels
Remove wall panels
Remove or disassemble frame
Once the parts arrive at the new location, simply reverse the process. Oh, you did have a new foundation with anchor bolts installed and cured, right? If not, you should do that first.

RECONSTRUCTION
Once the building is back together, inspect the frame for structural integrity and the panels for scratches and scuffs. If the paint or coating has been removed, the exposed metal can quickly corrode and weaken the panel.

HIRING A STRUCTURAL MOVER
As when hiring any other service, you want to do due diligence when you hire a company to move your building. A few things to look for include:

Insurance, including general liability, worker’s compensation, and cargo. Find out the limits of coverage as well as request a certificate of coverage when you ask for bids.
Find out how long the company has been in operation; you want experienced movers to take care of your structure.
Ask for examples and references. Have they moved a structure the size of yours before?
Do they have the right equipment available or will they need to rent?
Are they part of a trade group like the International Association of Structural Movers (IASM) or the Texas Association of Structural Movers (TASM)?
Find out if the mover is or must be licensed in your area and get a copy of the certificate.
Request a detailed contract outlining the obligations of all parties before beginning work.
Get a written estimate of the timeline for moving.
If they use subs, ask for a certificate of insurance.
Ask them to schedule a site visit to see the building in operation.
Pay in increments as parts of the work are completed.


roof panel machine for sale Light Gauge Steel Roll Former china c z purlin machine roll forming machine price in india