Pre-engineered Steel Buildings use a combination of built-up sections, hot rolled sections and cold formed elements which provide the basic steel frame work with a choice of single skin sheeting with added insulation or insulated sandwich panels for roofing and wall cladding. The concept is designed to provide a complete building envelope system which is air tight, energy efficient, optimum in weight and cost and, above all, designed to fit user requirement like a well fitted glove.

These Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings can be fitted with different structural accessories including mezzanine floors, canopies, fascias, interior partitions, crane systems etc. The building is made water-tight by use of special mastic beads, filler strips and trims. This is a very versatile building system and can be finished internally to serve any required function and accessorized externally to achieve attractive and distinctive architectural styles. It is most suitable for any low-rise building and offers numerous benefits over conventional buildings.

Pre-engineered buildings are generally low rise buildings; however the maximum eave heights can go upto 25 to 30 metres. Low rise buildings are ideal for offices, houses, showrooms, shop fronts etc. The application of pre-engineered concept to low rise buildings is very economical and speedy. Buildings can be constructed in less than half the normal time especially when complimented with other engineered sub-systems.

The most common and economical type of low-rise building is a building with ground floor and two intermediate floors plus roof. The roof of a low rise building may be flat or sloped. Intermediate floors of low rise buildings are made of mezzanine systems. Single storeyed houses for living take minimum time for construction and can be built in any type of geographic location like extreme cold hilly areas, high rain prone areas, plain land, extreme hot climatic zones etc.

There are basically nine major components in a pre-engineered building such as:

• Mezzanine system
• Bracing system
• Paints and finishes
• Miscellaneous services

Applications of PEB

PEB in India

In India, PEB industry is still in the growth phase. It is a highly fragmented industry as many players are competing for the same share of pie in different parts of the country. The barriers to entry for pre-fabrication which is major aspect of pre-engineered buildings are minimal. Profits margins have eroded as a result. However, companies can create switching costs and competitive advantages for themselves by focusing on engineering and supply chain aspects.

Major players include Kirby Building Solutions, Interarch Buildings, Zamil Steel Buildings, Everest Industries, Era Buildsys, Tiger Steel Industries Pvt. Ltd, PEBS Pennar, MBPhenix, Lloyd Insulation Pvt. Ltd., Jindal Buildsys & Tata BlueScope Steel.