Risk Category, Wind & Snow Ratings
Both of these factors are imperative for proper safety and for the application of proper insurance coverage…
RISK CATEGORY refers to the manner in which the structure will be used.
Will there be people in the structure most of the time, such as a home or business?
Or will the building be used for property storage, such as a garage or workshop?
WIND & SNOW RATINGS are often confused with RISK CATEGORY, so what’s the difference?
Wind & Snow Ratings
In Carports & Garages
Wind & Snow ratings (commonly referred to as “load-ratings”) vary depending on the area of the country you live in AND the risk category of the building. They refer to the amount of wind shear and lift, as well as how much snow, a building can support before experiencing catastrophic failure.
Click the button below to see what the rating requirements are for your new building…
Always check with local authorities to make sure your new building will meet all local requirements. It is the customers responsibility to be aware of, meet, and comply with all building code & permitting requirements in their specific jurisdiction. If you’re unsure of the requirements in your area, your local construction or zoning office is the ONLY source you should seek input from.
Please contact our corporate office at (770) 775-2254 if your new building requires a rating outside of our standard 35/140 MPH rated buildings.
All Drawing Requirements Are Set By Local Jurisdictions
The customer is responsible for all permitting fees.
Risk Category 1
Cannot be lived in or used as a business work space. These are designed to hold non-living items, such as agricultural (feed storage) facilities and general storage buildings.
Risk Category 2
Can be lived in or used as a workspace. These buildings have additional reinforcements, both structurally and using special attachment components, that allow them to be used as occupied structures, such as homes, offices, and businesses.
Risk Category
Why is this important?
Making sure your building is safe for its intended use will always be our #1 concern, and it should be yours too!
Often, we see customers attempting to circumvent these vitally important safety designations as way to get local approval for a building that will later be used, or “repurposed”, into a different space. We strongly discourage anyone from doing this, as you put the safety of yourself and others at unnecessary risk. You should never use, or convert, a Risk Category 1 building into a space that will be occupied by people on a regular basis (such as a residence or business office).
While it is possible to convert a Cat 1 building into a Cat 2 structure after it is built, these changes should only ever be done by specially licensed contractors, and only after guidance, planning and approval from a licensed building engineer in coordination with local inspectors.
*Important Note: Any alterations made on any R&B Metal Structures building, by anyone other than a contractor designated by R&B Metal Structures, voids any/all warranties associated with that building.
Contact
R&B Metal Structures HQ
We hope you’re excited for your new metal building! We’re grateful for your business, and our sales professionals and customer service representatives are available to help you through the process.
If you require any further assistance, please contact us as we are always happy to help you every step of the process!
