Posted on October 24, 2017 by Heritage
You’ve ordered your metal building and it’s on its way! Perhaps this is your first building that you’ve ordered from Heritage. Has anyone discussed with you the proper way to unload and store your building once it arrives? Let’s look at a few helpful pointers and reminders when it comes to unloading and storing your metal building.
To make the process of putting your building together easier on you or your general contractor, you should separate your material. When unloading, separate your material into the following groups:
Upon delivery you have 2 hours to unload. Often, there is more than one building on the truck and the driver is making another delivery after dropping your building off. Be prepared to unload within the given time frame. You should have ample wood, like 2×4’s, for blocking or bridging. This saves your material from being on the ground where mud, water and other elements can damage your material.
Your primary material are the first parts you will need when beginning to build your building. Put your primary material close to or on the concrete slab. Remember to put 2x4s underneath so you don’t scratch the concrete. Place your end walls on and at the end of the concrete. Make sure to leave room to get a forklift under. When unloading your secondary material, keep it nearby but separate from the primary material.
When unloading your metal sheets, make sure you have a spreader bar. Spreader bars are 15 to 20-foot-long. They lift apart your metal sheets and are the best way to unload without damaging them. Galvalume is an unpainted metal sheet. Therefore, if it is submerged in standing water for a significant time, your metal could begin to rust. Remember when storing wall and roof sheets to keep one end of the sheet elevated so water runs off the other end. Your trim will come in cardboard boxes. Make sure you inventory the trim boxes, re-close them, cover them with tarps and keep them away from standing water.
You should always inspect, inventory and verify your material against the Bill of Materials (BOM) when unloading. The BOM details everything that should be on the delivery truck. If any part of your delivery is damaged by the shipper, make a note with the shipper on the extent of the damage. Heritage wants to be sure you have all your building parts. If something isn’t in your shipment, Heritage needs to know about it immediately to get it to you in a timely manner.
As always, remember safety first when unloading. Make sure you have the proper gloves, shoes and safety gear when unloading your metal building. We want to make this a seamless process for you. If you have any questions on the unloading and storing of your metal building, please contact your Heritage project consultant.
Content for this article was provided by Casey Jones, Heritage Field Services.