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            The 1960’s saw many revolutionary changes in the social and technological make-up of the United States. It also saw the emergence of the term “pre-engineered steel building”.
            The term “pre-engineered was applied to the evolved new generation of steel buildings because it was based on standard engineering designs that were applied to a small number of “cookie-cutter” buildings with limited size and shape selection. There were several developments that made this particular period very important for the steel building industry. First, and foremost, new technology was available to widen the “clear-span” (no interior support column) capacity of the steel building. For perspective, it is important to note that at the end of the 1940’s the initial metal rigid frame buildings could only expand a maximum of 40 feet. This expanded to 70 feet over the next few years. At the end of the 1950’s 100 foot clear span capabilities were possible. (It should be noted that present day improvements have made clear-span capabilities of 300 feet possible). Also, in the 1950’s, ribbed panels were produced that were very attractive when compared to the metal corrugations used in the past. To make the industry even more vibrant and progressive colored panels were also introduced at this time along with cold formed Z purlins of high strength steel which were to become an important industry standard up to and including today’s construction processes. The 1960’s also saw the introduction of factory insulated steel panels and the appearance of a UL-approved metal roof.
            The technology boom continued in the 1960’s with the advent of the first computer-design generated steel buildings. Computerization of the many design features allowed for a virtually limitless store of size and shape possibilities for steel building projects.
            The use of the term “pre-engineered” has been previously applied to a steel building that was limited to certain non-deviating designs. With the introduction of present day custom steel building designs that fit the individual needs of the customer, the term “pre-engineered” actually became applicable to the processes applied to each individual order and not to the previous standard of confined design and size selections.
            The steel building industry has, in large part, taken on the nomenclature of “steel building systems” (in lieu of the term “pre-engineered metal buildings”) to define their product offerings. The steel building system is made up of the basic components of walls, roof, framing, bracing, and its foundation all working together to solidify and secure the structure. Inherent in this system is the specific engineering that allows all building components to participate in resistance to the elements and provide a safe and secure interior working or storage environment. This is truly a functioning integrated system and certainly defines the state-of-the-art in steel building technology today.