Steel Buildings - Glossary of Common Terms
S
Sag Member
A tension member such as rods, straps or angles used in a steel building to limit the deflection of a girt or purlin in the direction of its weak axis.
A tension member such as rods, straps or angles used in a steel building to limit the deflection of a girt or purlin in the direction of its weak axis.
Sandwich Panel
A panel used as covering consisting of an insulating core material with inner and outer metal skins.
A panel used as covering consisting of an insulating core material with inner and outer metal skins.
Screw Down Roof System
A roof system for steel buildings in which the roof panels are attached directly to the roof substructure with fasteners.
A roof system for steel buildings in which the roof panels are attached directly to the roof substructure with fasteners.
Sealant
Any material that is used to seal cracks, joints or laps.
Any material that is used to seal cracks, joints or laps.
Secondary Framing
Members, such as girts and purlins, that carry loads from the surface to the main framing of a steel building system.
Members, such as girts and purlins, that carry loads from the surface to the main framing of a steel building system.
Seaming Machine
A machine that is used to close and seal the side seams of standing seam roof panels.
A machine that is used to close and seal the side seams of standing seam roof panels.
Sectional Overhead Doors
Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections and equipped with springs, tracks, counter balancers, and other hardware, which roll the sections into an overhead position..
Doors constructed in horizontally hinged sections and equipped with springs, tracks, counter balancers, and other hardware, which roll the sections into an overhead position..
Seismic Load
The lateral load acting in any direction on a structural system due the action of an earthquake.
The lateral load acting in any direction on a structural system due the action of an earthquake.
Self-Drilling Screw
A fastener that combines the function of drilling and tapping.
A fastener that combines the function of drilling and tapping.
Self-Tapping Screw
A fastener that taps its own threads in a predrilled hole.
A fastener that taps its own threads in a predrilled hole.
Shear
A force causing two contacting parts slide upon each other in opposite directions.
A force causing two contacting parts slide upon each other in opposite directions.
Shim
A piece of steel used to level base plates or align columns or beams.
A piece of steel used to level base plates or align columns or beams.
Shipping List
Also called a bill of materials, a shipping list enumerates each piece of material or assembly to be shipped by part number or description.
Also called a bill of materials, a shipping list enumerates each piece of material or assembly to be shipped by part number or description.
Side Lap Fastener
A fastener used to connect panels together above their length.
A fastener used to connect panels together above their length.
Sidewall
The exterior wall that runs perpendicular to the frames of a building system.
The exterior wall that runs perpendicular to the frames of a building system.
Sill
The bottom horizontal framing member of a wall opening such as a window or louver.
The bottom horizontal framing member of a wall opening such as a window or louver.
Simple Span
The term used to describe a beam support condition at two points which offers no resistance to rotation at the supports.
The term used to describe a beam support condition at two points which offers no resistance to rotation at the supports.
Single Slope
A steel building roof that slopes from one sidewall to the opposite sidewall.
A steel building roof that slopes from one sidewall to the opposite sidewall.
Single Span
A building or structural member that does not have intermediate support.
A building or structural member that does not have intermediate support.
Siphon Break
A small groove to arrest the capillary action of two adjacent surfaces.
A small groove to arrest the capillary action of two adjacent surfaces.
Skylight
A roof accessory that allows natural light into a steel building.
A roof accessory that allows natural light into a steel building.
Slide Door
A single or double leaf door, which opens horizontally by means of sliding on an overhead trolley.
A single or double leaf door, which opens horizontally by means of sliding on an overhead trolley.
Sliding Clip
A clip used with standing seam roofs which allows the roof panel to thermally expanded independently of the roof substructure.
A clip used with standing seam roofs which allows the roof panel to thermally expanded independently of the roof substructure.
Snow Load
The load induced by the weight of snow on the roof of the structure.
The load induced by the weight of snow on the roof of the structure.
Soffit
Material used to cover the underside of an overhang.
Material used to cover the underside of an overhang.
Soil Bearing Pressure
The load per unit area a steel building structure will exert through its foundation on the soil.
The load per unit area a steel building structure will exert through its foundation on the soil.
Span
The distance between two supports.
The distance between two supports.
Specification (Steel Building Systems)
A statement of a set of Steel Building System requirements describing the loading conditions, design practices, materials and finishes.
A statement of a set of Steel Building System requirements describing the loading conditions, design practices, materials and finishes.
Splice
A connection in a structural member.
A connection in a structural member.
Spud Wrench
A tool used by steel building erectors to line up holes and to make up bolted connections; a wrench with a tapered handle.
A tool used by steel building erectors to line up holes and to make up bolted connections; a wrench with a tapered handle.
Square
The term used for an area of 100 square feet.
The term used for an area of 100 square feet.
Stainless Steel
An steel alloy containing a high percentage of chromium to increase corrosion resistance.
An steel alloy containing a high percentage of chromium to increase corrosion resistance.
Standing Seam
Side joints of roof panels that are arranged in a vertical position above the roofline.
Side joints of roof panels that are arranged in a vertical position above the roofline.
Standing Seam Roof System
A roof system in which the side laps between the roof panels are arranged in a vertical position above the roofline on a steel building structure. The roof panel system is secured to the roof substructure by means of clips attached with screws to the substructure.
A roof system in which the side laps between the roof panels are arranged in a vertical position above the roofline on a steel building structure. The roof panel system is secured to the roof substructure by means of clips attached with screws to the substructure.
Stiffener
A member used to strengthen a plate against lateral or local buckling.
A member used to strengthen a plate against lateral or local buckling.
Stiffener Lip
AA short extension of material at an angle to the flange of cold formed structural members, which adds strength to the member.
AA short extension of material at an angle to the flange of cold formed structural members, which adds strength to the member.
Stiles
The vertical side members of framed and paneled doors.
The vertical side members of framed and paneled doors.
Stitch Screw
A fastener connecting panels together at the sidelap.
A fastener connecting panels together at the sidelap.
Strain
The deformation per unit length measured in the direction of the stress caused by forces acting on a member.
The deformation per unit length measured in the direction of the stress caused by forces acting on a member.
Strut
A member fitted into a framework, which resists axial compressive forces.
A member fitted into a framework, which resists axial compressive forces.
Stud
A vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering or collateral material may be attached. May be either load bearing or non-load bearing.
A vertical wall member to which exterior or interior covering or collateral material may be attached. May be either load bearing or non-load bearing.