The National Frame Building Association (NFBA), a non-profit organization representing the post-frame building industry, has developed a model guide specification in CSI three-part format for post-frame building systems.
A draft of the model specification was developed over a six-month period in 2007 and 2008 by the NFBA Technical and Research Committee. The draft was approved by the NFBA Board of Directors at its spring, 2008 meeting. The association has now posted the specification online for download in Microsoft Word format from www.nfba.org.
The document, titled "Guide Specifications for Post-Frame Building Systems" is listed as part of Construction Specifiers Institute (CSI) Division 13—Special Construction.
The Guide Specification is intended to be used for the development of an office master specification or in the preparation of specifications for a particular project. In either case, the Guide Specification must be edited to fit the conditions of use. A construction specifier may use the document by deleting provisions inapplicable to the project they are working on, choosing appropriate options where indicated, and including necessary requirements where blank spaces are provided. The specifier includes the necessary items appropriate to a particular project.
The Guide Specification was developed due to the expansion of post-frame building systems into the commercial construction market. Although post-frame buildings have long been used for industrial, agricultural and residential applications, commercial applications have claimed a significant share of the post-frame construction market in recent decades. Recognizing that post-frame has become increasingly accepted for commercial construction, NFBA developed the Guide Specification as a generic template that was not builder- or manufacturer-specific, and is adaptable to any commercial or other building project.
NFBA is now developing a more user friendly version of the guide specification. The current Word format, while technically correct and technically complete, still requires the specifier to write the spec document.
NFBA is now working to program an online application to streamline the development of specifications for unique projects. Design professionals will be able to complete a questionnaire using an online form, which will export a finished specification for their project as a rich text formatted document. The association will unveil the online application at its upcoming Convention and Trade Show, Frame Building Expo, Feb. 25-27 in Nashville, Tenn. The Expo will also feature educational programming on a variety of post-frame design-related topics, including an eight-hour seminar on how to properly design and engineer a post-frame building.
Post-frame buildings are structurally efficient, clear span buildings composed primarily of wood wall columns, wood roof trusses or rafters, purlins, girts, bracing and sheathing. The primary element of the design is the solid sawn or laminated rectangular wall wood posts or columns, which may be utilized with a variety of foundation options. The post-frame building market is comprised of a total building sales volume in excess of $12 billion each year. Post-frame is very well suited for low-rise commercial applications. For more information, and to download a copy of the guide specification, please visit www.postframeadvantage.com.
NFBA was established in 1970 to address building code changes that may affect the post-frame industry. The organization represents post-frame contractors, design professionals, manufacturers and distributors. NFBA is the only trade association representing the interests of the post-frame construction industry throughout the United States.
For more information about the National Frame Building Association or the association’s annual convention and trade show, Frame Building Expo, please call NFBA headquarters at 800-557-6957 or visit www.nfba.org/Expo.