CONCRETE PAD

[flINTLOCK]

I'm hoping to put in pad for tractor barn this summer. If the local jurisdiction deems it an "agricultural building" my code requirements will be lessened. What would you consider adequate footers and pad thickness for 20' by 30' pad on which metal kit building to be erected. I'm in NE PA for purposes of frost and snow effects.

 

[RobA]

All metal? No wood poles set in the ground?

I just had a 48'x24' pole barn built. No metal. All wood framing. I had 4" of gravel and 4" of concrete. No footers - floating slab. I'm in SE PA. Not as cold as you.

If you require footers wouldn't you need 36" in your area?

 

[dqdave1]

NE Ohio requires bottom of footer at 42" below grade; footer depth will depend on size of building, 4" on up.

 

[flINTLOCK]

Obviously, wide variability in codes out there. Will have to wait until the local township rules on "agricultural building" status.

 

[dqdave1]

No matter what zoneing rules on; frost can and will destroy your pad and metal building if it is not properly installed below the frost line. If you only want to install a floating pad; then do not use any footer system; as it would not be wise to put a footer and foundation that does nort extend below frost level. Just clear a level spot, pour a 5" pad; erect metal building; it will float on frost.

 

[flINTLOCK]

I'm hoping my local regs allow that, as it would be sufficient for my needs

 

[FULLPULL]

Depending on the metal building manufacture some only require a series of piers every so many feet they may be as little as 2x2xbelow the frostline .This could cut cost and get you below the frostline at the point where the piers are located.The piers could span from 8 to 12 ft depending on the building manufacture.I would look into a monolithic slab with piers below the frost line.As always check with your local officials for what they require.

 

[roermo]

just built a 26x34 garage here in north east missouri. I had 3 foot deep footing where the pad was ground level. back 15 feet into the hill I was 8 foot down below grade at the pad so I did a footing of 16 "or so. good luck on your project.

roger

 

[Jsheds]

Be sure to check with the manufacturer of the metal building kit, as well as the local building department. The local building department will tell you the required depth to frost, but the kit manufacturer should tell you the footing requirements for the steel frames. Many buildings of this type require 1 or more pairs of piers on opposite sides of the building. Depending on the design of the steel frames, these piers may need to be tied together through the concrete floor slab or with grade beams between the piers. If the exterior walls are bearing walls, the perimeter footing and the piers must extend to below the frost line as determined by your local building department (between 36" and 42" in NEPA if I remeber correctly). Also be sure that your building kit meets the design requirements of the 2006 International Building Code, adopted by Pennsylvania as the 'Uniform Construction Code' as of January 1st 2007.
Jim

 

[flINTLOCK]

10-4 guys. Waiting for the building code guys to get back to me before making final decisions. Sounds like deep footers are best, no matter what they say!!

 

[pat32rf]

We used to pour a 6" floating pad with a thicker perimeter section. If I remember right the perimeter was about 18" wide and about 6-8" thicker than the rest(with rebar in the perimeter). We used fiberglass reinforced concrete and made sure we had good drainage underneath. We also made sure that the slab did not stick out too far past the walls so we could flash it to prevent water entry. That was a while back however, codes change but the ones we built seem to be still OK

 

[praha]

When a pole building is erected and a concrete floor added later, no under frost foundation is considered. Why? The water could get under somehow.too........????????
I"ve read somewhere asome time ago, that a frost is not an issue under the roof or under any overhead cover. Is it true??
Is it the water I suppose , that destroys the slab? How and why, and why a concrete floor is spared?

Sorry for this stupid post from a heating guy. I remodeled my previous house completely, I never built anything on a concrete slab, or anything serious outside....shed doesn't count.

Joe

 

[bones1]

Not a stupid question.I would like to know this as well.I have to pour a floor in a pole barn soon.

 

[praha]

The only difference /major I understand/ between a floor in a pole building and a slab is that floor doesn't SUPPORT the structure /already erected /.The slab does. BUT,
The concrete is under the roof in either case.
Moisture can get under the slab just like under the floor.
So what's the deal???????? Anybody knows//.
Thanks,

Joe