PEMB Trends
The Future of Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings
TL;DR
PEMBs integrate smart technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative materials to improve design, construction, and functionality. BIM modeling, automation, and IoT-connected systems are making buildings more efficient from concept to occupancy. New materials like insulated metal panels, and cool roofs improve performance and sustainability. Future trends include modular and multi-story PEMBs, expanded market dominance, and continued innovation.
Trends, Innovations and Emerging Technologies
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) have come a long way from the bland boxes of yesteryear. Today’s PEMBs are at the forefront of smart technology, sustainable design, and esthetic innovation. And the future promises even more extraordinary advances.
Getting Smart
Smart technology has transformed the construction field, making the building process and the structures themselves more efficient and livable. These improvements are showing up in a variety of areas, from the initial planning to the long-term use of PEMBs.
In the Design Phase:
Building information modeling (BIM) enables architects, designers, owners, and contractors to contribute ideas and see them realized in a virtual model of the structure. This allows for design improvements and troubleshooting before the first worker arrives at a building site.
BIM models typically incorporate all the systems involved in a commercial building, from roofing and wall cladding to plumbing and electrical. At the job site, the interaction of all these elements and the separate trades involved in their construction can cause unforeseen problems. BIM helps planners avoid those issues. The time and expense saved by solving problems early in a virtual environment can’t be overestimated.
In the Building Phase:
Automation is making the construction process more efficient than ever. Since the components of a PEMB are made in a factory setting and are often duplicative, their fabrication can be automated using sophisticated computer programs. This decreases the time involved in production while improving the bottom line—without sacrificing accuracy or quality.
The same BIM technology that has revolutionized building design can also be useful during construction. As problems arise, they can be addressed in the virtual model first, without specialists having to travel to the site.
Robots are now being used to investigate problems in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas at construction sites. This saves employees’ time while protecting their safety.
In the Occupancy Phase:
The benefits of smart technology become especially apparent when a PEMB is completed and in use.
Virtually all the systems in a building can be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT)—the vast online network of devices that are now a normal part of modern life. Lighting, security, access control, fire safety, plumbing, and HVAC can then be monitored and controlled from one location.
The use of sensors can make automatic adjustments to these systems, improving efficiency while enhancing the occupants’ comfort. For instance:
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- Sensors can adjust HVAC and lighting based on room occupancy.
- Lights can be automatically switched off when rooms are unoccupied.
- Window treatments can auto-adjust in response to changes in outside light.
Innovative Building Materials
For a strong, resilient, corrosion-resistant building material, it’s hard to improve on steel. That’s why PEMBs use steel for frames, roofing, wall cladding, and more. But there are also many innovative materials available today that can perform useful functions in a PEMB.
Here are some of the cutting-edge products that are making a difference:
Insulated Metal Panels
Combine the strength of steel with the insulating properties of foam or mineral wool. A core, usually of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate, is sandwiched between two metal sheets. The panels can then be used for wall cladding or roofing.
FRP Panels
Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) panels. These units combine a polymer matrix with glass fibers, making them especially strong, lightweight and impact resistant. They are used for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas that require sanitary surfaces that are easy to clean.
Cool Roofs
Use reflective coatings to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by buildings. This innovation is especially effective in areas that experience extreme heat, such as the American Southwest. The savings in reduced air conditioning expenses can be substantial.
Moving Toward Sustainability
The trend in construction, as in the rest of society, is to prioritize the use of sustainable materials and processes. Steel is 100 percent recyclable, which helps enormously in those efforts. Glass, concrete, asphalt and other materials commonly used in PEMB construction are also recyclable.
Energy Efficiency
Is greatly enhanced by the state-of-the-art materials we’ve described that reduce energy consumption.
Smart Building Technology
Optimizes energy usage while providing a comfortable environment for occupants.
Solar Canopies
Are a common sight nowadays in commercial parking lots. This ingenious innovation maximizes the use of space that would otherwise lie idle, while providing shade for vehicles and electrical energy.
PEMB Trends for the Future
The PEMB construction industry is dynamic, so expect tomorrow’s builders to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The innovations described here will continue to evolve, bringing more efficiency and cost savings to builders and owners, and a more agreeable experience for PEMB occupants.
Meanwhile, here are some emerging trends to watch for:
▶More modular construction.
Modular designs allow for easy expansion of existing buildings as needs arise. This makes sense for growing businesses and others that find themselves needing more space.
▶More multi-story PEMBs.
In the past, the relatively simple, lightweight frames of PEMBs made it impractical to construct buildings of more than one or two stories. But the ingenuity of American builders and designers has never accepted such limitations. One solution to this issue is a hybrid design that combines the low cost and practicality of a PEMB with traditional construction elements. Such innovations promise to greatly expand the possibilities of PEMB designs.
▶More PEMB domination of the market.
PEMBs already account for the majority of commercial construction projects. That share is expected to grow by more than 4 percent annually over the next several years. Builders and owners have recognized the benefits of low costs, practicality, and quick construction times, and responded accordingly.
The future of PEMB construction is bright indeed. And Fleming Steel Erectors is proud to be at the forefront of this dynamic industry.
Fleming Steel Erectors – Building the Future with PEMBs
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