Metal building systems (or steel building systems in Canada) are professionally engineered structures that provide cost-effective and efficient low-rise buildings. All major metal building system manufacturers utilize CADD tools to custom design each building system and all building components depending on the customer's needs and specifications and on the local and national building codes. The basic elements of the metal building system include primary rigid frames, secondary members such as wall girts and roof purlins, cladding and bracing. These elements are engineered and designed to act as an integrated building system
The primary rigid frames are typically designed and constructed in accordance with Standards, die vom American Institute of Steel Construction entwickelt wurden in the United States and the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute. In North America, the secondary framing is typically designed and constructed in accordance with Standards, die vom American Iron and Steel Institute entwickelt wurden.
Metallbausysteme kommen in nahezu allen denkbaren Anwendungen zum Einsatz. Sie finden sie in industriellen Anwendungen wie komplexen Produktionsanlagen, Lagern und Distributionszentren. Sie werden in Einzelhandelsgeschäften, Einkaufszentren, Motels, Autohäusern, Bürokomplexen, Flugzeughangars und Arenen eingesetzt. Sie werden auch in Schulen, Bibliotheken, Kirchen, medizinischen Einrichtungen und Regierungsgebäuden eingesetzt.