The Site Specific Engineering behind your Spantec frame
November 04, 2019
No two building sites are exactly the same. Even when two sites look similar on the surface, what’s going on underneath may well tell a different story. Even building sites on the same street can have very different properties. These are things that engineers need to consider when designing building projects and building components such as frames.
As such, part of every building project includes analysing and assessing the site in order to define the engineering and design parameters required to deliver a safe and long-lasting finished product.
The term builders and architects use to describe this is Site Specific Engineering. Site Specific Engineering delivers a set of detailed engineering documents pertaining to a specific building site. These documents will detail critical design requirements for your project and may include information regarding footings, bracing, and requirements for fixing to existing structures. They may also include regulatory requirements, such as Form 11 – Interim Certificate of Classification (Victoria) and Form 15 – Compliance Certificate for Building Design or Specification (Qld/SA).
What does Site Specific Engineering cover?
Every building and every location is unique, so it goes without saying that every frame must also be unique. Site Specific Engineering considers location, shielding and terrain, building classification, soil classification and wind region to accurately determine design requirements for the following:
- Footings: Not the pier itself, but rather the formation that will be supporting the pier. Footings reinforce support to individual columns while transferring the load into the soil.
- Bracing: Diagonal members that provide stability, which also help make the structure stiffer in response to lateral movement.
- Fixing to existing: While all frames can be designed as free standing, if there is an existing structure that you want to fix your frame to, then an engineer will need to determine if the existing structure can safely support the added frame.
Why Site Specific Engineering matters
Why is Site Specific Engineering so important? Because these documents provide you and your builder with assurance and peace of mind in knowing that a qualified engineer has inspected your site and certified your project.
Also, it’s worth noting that many local authorities will not accept engineering documents unless they are site specific. After all, there is no room for generalisation and ‘guesstimation’ when it comes to building, where precision and accuracy are mandatories for a successful build that will stand the test of time.
Site Specific Engineering with Spantec
When you choose Spantec Systems for your designed roof and floor frames, you’ll get peace of mind knowing that all Spantec frames are designed using engineered and certified span charts to adhere to site specific engineering requirements.
Some building suppliers may provide you with generic engineering for your frame, but with Spantec Systems you will always receive site specific engineering to ensure that your frame stringently meets the design requirements of your specific site.
Our in-house engineer can inspect your site and certify your project. We will ask you a lot of questions, but we do this because every Spantec frame is site specific and designed specifically for your site. This means it will be designed to endure the environment in which it will sit, which enables your Spantec frame to stand the test of time.
If you have your own engineer, or if you are an engineer yourself, we are happy to receive Site Specific Engineering documents from you.
Spantec for your next project
For nearly 30 years Spantec Systems has been pioneering the use of light steel flooring systems, including structural steel beams, frames and adjustable steel piers under sub-floors, for building professionals, owner-builders and DIY-ers. To find out how we can help with your next build, contact us on (02) 4860 1000 or by emailing sales@spantec.com.au.
