Key Trade Associations And Their Roles In The Metal Building Industry

Key Trade Associations And Their Roles In The Metal Building Industry

In the United States there are a number of valuable associations that govern quality guidelines and operational developments in the all-metal and all-steel pre-fabricated, pre-engineered building industries. The American Iron and Steel Institute is a chief alliance in the industry. Founded in the mid 19th century, as the American Iron Institute, the Institute’s key functions have included implementing correct all-steel building pre-engineering construction standards. These are mostly applied to cold-formed (building parts made without heat) metal members. The AISI also monitors auxiliary components and wall and roof applications along with most major pieces of a steel building system. The Institute has published a handbook for over six decades, which is the acknowledged authority on cold-formed procedure. The AISI is committed to promotion of pre-engineered steel building manufacturing together with hi-tech education.


The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is ten decades old and includes many roof builders in its enrollment. It also welcomes steel building manufacturers and wholesalers. One of the Association’s functions is the circulation of information on new and existing roof structure materials and engineering applications.

The MCA or Metal Construction Association advances the use of premium quality metal in any building project. This group distinguishes metal building endeavors that are judged as outstanding during an annual convention. The Metal Construction Association, which is headquartered in Illinois, also determines new business locations for metal structures. NAIMA, or the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association, is based in Virginia. It acts for the leading manufacturers of insulation and maintains guidelines and safety administration for building insulation products.

An essential group increasing support for the promotion of cold-formed pre-engineered steel systems is the Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS). The Center unites the known resources of advisory panels, manufacturers, universities and the national government to help further cold-formed metal modifications. A satellite campus of the University of Missouri hosts the CCFSS headquarters.

The Light Gauge Structural Institute, also known as LGSI, is a partnership of fabricators for light gauge building framing. A reference guide published by the LGSI looks at the fundamental load-bearing capacities for those chief steel or metal parts. It also supports disclosed audits of manufacturing facilities in order to ascertain performance characteristics in the production of certain essential materials.

Finally, the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) is located in Ohio. Its members comprise of building erectors and contractors of metal and steel structures. Members in various areas can discuss issues and meet to exchange information using a decentralized program that the MBCEA promotes. It also endorses contractor/client activities and agreements complementing manufacturing standard legal certificates.