Steel structure buildings are commonly used worldwide for constructing factories, warehouses, stadiums, and even residences due to their lightweight, sturdiness, and rapid construction. However, their lifespan actually depends on “how it’s built” and “how it’s maintained.” Canglong Group, with over 20 years of experience in steel structures, has summarized a simple and easy-to-operate “longevity secret” to help extend the lifespan of your building by more than 10 years.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Materials
Steel itself is very strong, but the quality of the raw materials is crucial. When selecting materials, Canglong Group only chooses hot-rolled H-beams and C/Z-beams from major steel mills, checking the material certificates for each batch. Is the strength sufficient? Are there any hidden cracks? Just like checking the specifications when buying a mobile phone, a solid foundation prevents problems later.
Step 2: Rust and Corrosion Prevention
Dampness, acid rain, and salt spray at the seaside are all “enemies” of steel. Canglong’s standard is that all exposed steel components must be protected with two layers of “protective clothing”:
First layer: Sandblasting to remove rust, removing surface oxide scale and oil stains to expose the natural metal.
Second layer: Applying epoxy zinc-rich primer (rust prevention) and fluorocarbon topcoat (UV aging resistance).
Seaside projects may use a thicker coating or galvanized steel components.
Step 3: Planning for maintenance during the design phase
Many buildings deteriorate quickly because they lack access panels in the design. Canglong specifically incorporates these in its drawings:
Large roofs have access panels every 20 meters;
Beam-column connections use removable bolts, allowing for direct replacement of damaged parts without dismantling the entire column;
Equipment supports are kept away from the main structure to avoid touching the steel frame when replacing air conditioners or pipes.
Step 4: Regular inspection
Canglong provides each client with a “Steel Structure Maintenance Manual” and recommends inspection at least once a year.
Check the appearance: Is the paint peeling? Are there any cracks in the welds?
Detect Hidden Dangers: Use an ultrasonic scanner to scan for internal damage invisible to the naked eye.
Clean Up Debris: Leaves on the roof and silt clogging drains can cause water accumulation; clean them immediately!
Don’t Delay Repairing Problems: Small rust spots can be sanded and repainted, and loose bolts can be tightened. This saves 90% of the money compared to waiting for a collapse.
Step 5: Canglong’s Lifetime Service
Relying solely on customers for maintenance isn’t enough. Canglong offers steel structure lifespan management:
Free regular inspections for the first 3 years;
Establishing electronic records to document the maintenance history of each steel component;
72-hour response time for emergencies, such as assistance after a typhoon.
Summary
As long as steel structure buildings use high-quality materials, have proper rust prevention, and are regularly inspected and maintained, they can easily last 50 years or even longer. Canglong Group’s solution doesn’t rely on fancy jargon; it focuses on meticulous attention to detail. After all, buildings, like people, need careful maintenance to live long.
Send us the inquiry form