Sustainable Structural Steel

Steel, by virtue of its high recycled content and capacity for reuse, is the ideal structural Steel for projects seeking to meet sustainable goals. Since the creation of the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) rating system by the United States Green Building Council in 1996, the organization has undergone four iterations, and was used to rate approximately 45% of nonresidential construction in 2015¹.  With the creation of Standard 189.1 by ASHRAE and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) by the International Code Council, there are now numerous methods through which sustainability goals can be achieved.  At PVS, we are equipped to address the dynamic requirements of this emerging market and to provide documentation for each step of the process.

As an American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and ISO 9001 certified structural fabricator, PVS is preferred by clients, locally and nationally, due to our proactive project development, strategic sourcing and meticulous documentation. Our process is informed by our contribution to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado, which, as a LEED Platinum project, represented the highest standard in sustainable construction and required the innovative use of salvaged material, including structural steel, and close collaboration between all members of the construction team. In addition to this, 13 years of experience in exceeding the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 (ASME NQA-1) standard has given us the knowledge necessary to meet the stringent requirements of the LEED, ASHRAE, and IgCC standards.

THE STRUCTURAL STEEL FABRICATION PROCESS

PRE-BID

Early collaboration with the design team allows PVS to maximize its contributions through carefully considered material sourcing and selection of subcontractors that meet sustainable standards and adhere to the project schedule. PVS will also work to identify potential cost-saving opportunities at the onset of the project.

ESTIMATING

With LEED requirements in mind, the estimating department at PVS will coordinate with erectors, detailers, and mills in the region to ensure that they meet all necessary criteria for your structural steel. Specific project goals will be conveyed to the structural team members early in the process to ensure proper documentation is provided.

DELIVERY

Different shipping methods increase the allowable travel distance for structural steel material. With careful freight management, PVS can deliver the highest quality material from a wide range of approved industry partners.

DOCUMENTATION

The Project Management team at PVS will provide the travel distance and recycled content of our material in a standardized format to ease the review process and ensure that the targeted goals are met or exceeded. All items requiring documentation will be tracked and available for evaluation throughout the construction process.

Please contact Brent Pfeiffer at bpfeiffer@pvsteel.com or call 712-347-4289