Need help assembling steel building

I purchased an unassembled steel building that had lain out in a field for a few years. The man who bought it died of a heart attack before he could put it together. I was helping his widow move to an assisted living facility when I saw the pile of material. I offered to purchase it and she wanted to give it to me. I refused to take it unless I paid for it. Needless to say I got it for next to nothing, her refusing to take any more for it than what she said she wanted. Now my problem. It is a "Z" post building. I have no idea what size it is to pour the pad or how to determine size or how to put it together. I have searched the web for help but was unable to find anything on this type building. Can anyone help me with any information on how to determine size or how to assemble it?
 
(quoted from post at 09:13:28 09/18/15) I purchased an unassembled steel building that had lain out in a field for a few years. The man who bought it died of a heart attack before he could put it together. I was helping his widow move to an assisted living facility when I saw the pile of material. I offered to purchase it and she wanted to give it to me. I refused to take it unless I paid for it. Needless to say I got it for next to nothing, her refusing to take any more for it than what she said she wanted. Now my problem. It is a "Z" post building. I have no idea what size it is to pour the pad or how to determine size or how to put it together. I have searched the web for help but was unable to find anything on this type building. Can anyone help me with any information on how to determine size or how to assemble it?

Never heard of "Z" post. Does it not have pre-assembled trusses?
 
Stephan Newell is probably correct, the "Z" steel is most likely the side purlins and possibly the roof gerts. As he said the posts will be "I" type beams or maybe flared type beams. Pictures of the materials would help tremendously as many contributors on this board were involved in the construction industry. We can help. Just give us a bit more information. gobble
 
It will be well worth pursuing any leads that might identify the manufacturer. I'd ask his widow if she had any information to share or that she could recall, hopefully she is of sound mind etc. The deceased person must have had some manufacturer documents, drawings, product data, at this point just remembering the name of the company would solve the problem, that is if they are still in business and this pile of material has not been there 20-30 years.

Maybe a relative knew what he was up to. Just a thought. You could look at the materials and see if anything stands out for identification.

Next thought would be to shake out the materials, and inventory what you have. I've done a similar thing with a project that we took over for a bonding company years ago, whereas the former contractor was defaulted, we were left a "pile" of materials and a lot more complicated issues to resolve. The first thing I did was shake out all the materials and inventory what was there.

Once that is done, it might be more visible as to what is what, and how its configured.

The other thing is any applicable codes, if you need to have a stamped set of drawings approved prior to construction, its possible to be an issue. You really should have that information, the structural components if constructed improperly could be a hazard. Worst case, detail what you can and have it reverse engineered. Given the deal you got on the material, you'd still be ahead.

My biggest issue would be the concrete details, strength/size/thickness/reinforcing of slab, column footings, connections etc.
 
I worked in the metal building industry the summer between my undergrad and graduate degree. Send me some pictures of what you have and I can try and help. One of the things you really need if it is a true engineered steel building is the engineered plans and all the small nuts/bolts/clips/bracing cable. Without these the building may not be stable if you try and use it. Even if you have the plans you should also get the foundation designed properly.
 
The lady that sold (gave) me the building has no paperwork or any idea where her husband bought it. So, the 'Z' pieces are the purlins and not the posts? I am going to unstack all the pieces, stack then together as per style, and count and photograph them. I will repost later. Thank you for the replies.
 
Is all you have is the purlins or is there any support beams like in this picture. That would determine the width of the slab and the length of the purlins would determine how much space between the support beams and the amount of parts would determine the length of the building.
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Good idea, inventory everything, be on the lookout for any packing slips, part numbers, anything that could identify the mfg. It was probably purchased locally, could see who sells metal buildings close by, take the mans name, they may have a record of the sale, maybe even some prints.
 
i put up two in the last two years and they are not hard at all to do. the instructions are all about the same not worth a dam. your best bet will be to stop and look at some buildings that are up then lay yours out as for the main I beams. extra work but that is about the only way to know the size
 
Would the widow have a cancelled check for the building, so you would know who her husband bought it from?
 
Steel buildings are made up from standard parts. Usually 20 foot bays. Purlins support the roof sheeting and girts support the siding. If you inventory the parts you should be able to figure it out.
 
Richard my e mail is open. I would be glad to call you and give you help. $) 45 years ago I bought one that had been laying out and all the marking washed off and like yours no blueprints. Finally traced down the manufacture and got help. After that experience became a dealer for the company and sold/erected metal buildings for several years. I can tell you what parts to look for to determine how many BAY you have and how to tell end walls apart from interior bays. Also most of the Z s as you call them are punched for two different bay lengths the most common are 25 and 27 ft , some codes call for different live load ratings on the roof. You should be able to count the roof panels and get close to the actual ground size. The problem will be how to turn things like little corner clips ect.
 

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