"Pre-Engineered Metal Building Issue 5

[Ron]

Does anyone know of a source for older versions of the Metal Building Manufacturer's Association (MBMA) Manual? The 2006 version is readily available, but older versions seem to have disappeared. I checked with MBMA and they don't provide.

Specifically, I'm looking for translucent roof panel criteria for any building constructed prior to 1985.

PS...For the record...I hate the term "pre-engineered metal building".....EVERY steel frame commercial building is "pre-engineered!!"

 

[JLNJ]

Fall protection every time you step on any roof? Doesn't seem practical.

Steel does not break down with age the way plastic does. Corrode, yes, but 20 years after it is installed it is not inherently unsafe like these panels must be.

 

[msquared48]

Surprised OSHA has not stepped in here for a mandatory safety modification.

But then, what do I know.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[Ron]

Thanks to all for your comments and assistance. These are always interesting. While OSHA applied in this case to the handyman company, it did not apply to the owner...that was the crux of the case.

I agree with JLNJ...it's impractical to use fall protection every time you go on a roof. As a consultant, I go on all types of roofs from 1 to 40 stories, and cannot set up fall protection on many or most of them. I do not; however, step on skylights!! I realize that accidents happen, but one cannot afford to be anything less than extremely vigilant when walking on any type of roof.

JAE...got the emails....thanks, again.

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US and to all our international friends...we'll eat an extra piece of turkey in your honor.

 

[JLNJ]

I see Nucor is still selling panels which you aren't supposed to walk or stand upon. What?

If it snows, how are you supposed to know where the panels are? I find it hard to believe that these are still on the market.

 

[apsix]

What you see around here a bit are signs saying; 'Danger, brittle roof', usually for asbestos roofs.

Perhaps the owner shares some liability due to the absence of such a sign.

 

[Ron]

Owners are "unsophisticated" with respect to construction and materials parameters. They are not expect to know such or warn against.

 

[hokie66]

I was surprised that the translucent sheeting manufacturer was not joined.

The fibreglass panels should never be trusted beyond 10 years, and that depends on the environment they live in. In Australia, they have to have a wire safety mesh installed under the panels.

 

[Ron]

hokie66...if the manufacturer had been known, I'm sure they would have been joined in the suit. The building was built in the mid-1970's and there were no records of the construction...the county in which it was built had not experienced its boom and was mostly an agricultural area. There were no markings on the building to identify its manufacturer (usually found on the end flashing at the ridge). We had an idea who the manufacturer was, but the other side was clueless about construction, so they didn't know where to look (and of course, we were not going to volunteer information...though they could have gotten what we knew had they bothered to take my deposition).

The panel configuration (r-panel) is still available; however, the materials and procedure for translucent panels have changed over the years...they are stronger now.

 

[apsix]

"Owners are "unsophisticated" with respect to construction and materials parameters. They are not expected to know such or warn against."

I agree that they may be "unsophisticated" with respect to construction and materials parameters, but they still have a duty of care to users of their facility, and need to engage the appropriate people to ensure it is 'safe' or that danger is apparent.

Whether that extends to providing signage for brittle roofing in your case, that was just wild conjecture on my part.

 

[hokie66]

Ron,
On second thought, your statute of limitations would probably have protected the sheeting supplier?? Anyway, they probably could have successfully argued that any fool knows that the material has a limited life, and they have so advertised.

 

[ishvaaag]

Furthermore, they could argue that they sell things and have not the lesser idea about how or for what what they sell is being used. Like knifes. So by whatever the reasons, property, one of the tenets of any order, is being considered a better upholder of society than local safety itself, and maybe with some reason; they need not be incompatible as apsix says, but there's some kind of a bias in western (and maybe likely world) legal order towards isolation of ownership from problems, quite akin to protection of standing leadership. You know, a battled ticket of $80 can become a neverending issue whilst a 9 billions default is an issue at which most in the matter are happy to deal with content.

 

[dik]

Also 'plastic' panels deteriorate due to UV radiation; this also contributes to them being embrittled...

Dik

 

[cntw1953]

A fool or a victim? This worker might have had heart attack, or lost his balance and fell through the sky light by tripping.

 

[Ron]

cntw1953...nope..autopsy revealed he died from injuries...had marijuana in his system at the time.

Couple lack of training, potential impairment from drugs, and old skylight with UV deterioration....

 

[cntw1953]

How wish he could fly as he felt he can after excited by that.