1. CODE OF PRACTICE FOR BUILDINGS
GUYANA STANDARD

2. Section 9 - Structural Steel
Scope
This code deals with the design and construction of steel buildings

3. Design
Material Standards Steel for structural applications in buildings shall conform to the “Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Steel Plates, Shapes, Sheet Piling and Bars for Structural Use” by the American Society for Testing Materials, or the equivalent British Standard. The design, fabrication and erection of cold formed stainless steel construction shall conform to the “Specification for the Design of Cold Formed Stainless Steel Structural Members” of American Iron and Steel Institute or the equivalent British Institution.

4. Design - Cont’d
The design and construction of cold formed steel structural members shall be in accordance with Part 2 Section 7 B, Sub-Section 14, of the Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CUBIC)
The design, fabrication and erection of open web steel joist construction shall comply with the following specifications:
- Standard Specifications for Open Web Steel Joists, H-Series adopted by the American Institute of Steel Construction or
- Part 2 Section 7B Sub-Section 17 of CUBIC

5. Open Web Steel Joist

6. Design - Cont’d
Welding The design, techniques and workmanship for welding shall conform to: - Structural Welding Code by the American Welding Society or equivalent British Standard - Specifications for Welding Sheet in Buildings by the American Welding Society or equivalent British Standard

7. Design - Cont’d
Design Loads Designs shall be based on dead, live, wind and other loads as set forth in CUBIC, ASTM or BS. Minimum Thickness of Material In accordance with BS 5950 “Structural Use of Steelwork in Buildings” or equivalent American Standard a minimum web thickness of 6mm (0.25 in) is recommended for steel used in buildings or other structures to resist wind forces and where members are exposed to corrosive agents.

8. Design - Cont’d
Minimum Thickness of Material For primary members used for interior works, the minimum thickness shall be 5 mm (o.20 in) Steel used in exterior walls of structures should be at least 5 mm in thickness when protected, and at least 6 mm thick when not so protected.

9. Pre-fabricated Steel Buildings
Prior to design and construction of pre-fab steel buildings, testing of elements should be carried out by a recognised testing laboratory and copies of certificates filed with the Authority.
A developer must provide calculations or test results for the proposed design for a building that is resistant to the wind and other loads. The steel members must be protected from corrosion, and the building must have the fire resistance required for the class of use.

10. Construction Handling
Before fabrication, steel work should be cleaned of rust by shot or sand blasting and then painted with two coats of red lead oxide metal primer

11. General Review by the Authority
All proposed technology will be considered and examined by the Authority or an experienced engineer appointed by the Authority, to determine whether the building is acceptable.
The building Engineer can/must recommend changes which are needed to make the building resistant to the environmental hazard.
It is the responsibility of the developer to show by supporting documentation that the building proposed is structurally adequate.