No matter where you reside, a particular building code governs the design of all buildings in your area. Building codes are necessary to ensure the safety of the public by eliminating unsafe design, poor construction practices, and unsightly buildings. When you fill out the quote request form, you are asked to provide specific location information so that SteelDirect.com can provide some guidance regarding the minimum loading requirements for snow load, live load, wind load, and seismic load—as well as the particular building code applicable for that location.
However, it is ultimately the customer's responsibility to verify with the local building code official that the correct building code and loads are being used. Therefore, a quick call to your local building department or codes administration body will verify that the code we are using is correct. Or, it will enable you to provide us with the code that we will need to follow. It is critical that your building comply with the applicable building codes and ordinances in effect at the time of construction-not at the time of delivery to you. To find the building department in your area, look under City or County Government offices in your local phone book. For many locations across the United States, the following link can help you determine applicable codes and contact information for local building officials: http://www.reedfirstsource.com/codes/index.asp
SteelDirect.com designs all buildings per the applicable code. If design certification and/or drawings are required to satisfy your local building department requirements, SteelDirect.com can provide them for an additional fee.