Wide Span Sheds supply our steel buildings in kit form, which allows our customers to either erect the shed as an owner builder (permits may be required), or to employ the professional services of a qualified shed builder.
Either way, whoever does assemble the building is responsible for ensuring safe practices are carried out throughout the construction phase. Construction bracing is a necessary step when erecting a new steel building and will give your structure the support it needs should there be strong wind forces.
Think about it, a fully constructed building can still move/sway slightly when there is strong winds, imagine what that wind force could do to a partially built steel structure? It could be an utter catastrophe!
A steel building is designed to withstand certain wind and storm forces, but that is only once the building is complete. A steel structure during the construction phase is at risk of permanent damage until it is completed.
During the construction of your steel building kit, you must ensure it is fully secured with braces that have been installed in AT LEAST two directions. These braces will stabilise your steel structure in the event of a “design wind event” – and give your shed a better chance of survival.
As we mentioned earlier in the blog, it is the builder’s ultimate responsibility to ensure all care is take to fully secure your steel structure while they are assembling it. They must adhere to certain rules and regulations as stipulated in the Building Codes of Australia. If you are acting as an Owner Builder, it is your responsibility to educate yourself on these rules and regulations.
The team at Wide Span Sheds high recommend that you take every precaution to secure your steel building as structural damage due to builder negligence will result in lost of insurance, possible injuries and even fatalities.