The design of pre-engineered steel structure factories is becoming a popular trend in modern construction thanks to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and fast construction capability. Compared to traditional methods such as reinforced concrete, pre-engineered steel buildings not only optimize investment costs but also allow businesses to easily expand or upgrade according to usage needs. In this article, BIC will provide a detailed analysis of the benefits, design process, cost estimation, and key considerations when developing a pre-engineered steel structure factory project, helping investors gain a comprehensive understanding and choose the most suitable solution.
A pre-engineered steel structure factory refers to the process of creating technical drawings and constructing a factory using a steel frame system that is pre-manufactured in factories, then transported and assembled on-site. Unlike traditional construction methods, this type of project enables fast installation, easy expansion, high flexibility, and significant cost savings.
Amid rapid industrialization, businesses increasingly prefer pre-engineered steel structure factory designs to shorten construction time while ensuring structural durability, easy renovation, and suitability for various industries—from manufacturing and warehousing to logistics.
The use of pre-fabricated steel components enables streamlined assembly on-site, which is particularly beneficial for businesses that need to put the factory into operation quickly to meet production plans or scale expansion.
Thanks to shorter construction times, lightweight materials, and simplified processes, pre-engineered steel buildings reduce labor costs, foundation material usage, and unexpected expenses.
Unlike rigid concrete structures, pre-engineered steel buildings can be expanded or dismantled with minimal disruption to the overall structure—an essential feature in rapidly changing production environments.
Steel offers superior tensile and compressive strength. When properly designed and calculated, pre-engineered buildings can withstand storms, heavy machinery vibrations, and substantial load weights.
With anti-rust coatings and regular maintenance, steel structures can last 30–50 years without major overhauls. Inspections and repairs are also easier than with concrete structures.
Before design begins, the contractor conducts a site survey, soil measurement, and collects detailed requirements from the investor: factory area, production type, crane systems, cold storage, clean rooms, etc.
Engineers create a master layout, allocating functional zones such as production, warehouse, office, emergency exits, parking, etc. The layout must ensure functionality, convenience, and compliance with construction standards.
This crucial step involves calculating wind loads, floor loads, crane weight, and material loads to choose suitable steel frame types—e.g., Zamil frames, I-beams, trusses.
Once the plan is finalized, the team prepares detailed architectural, structural, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), ventilation, and fire protection drawings. They also extract quantities and develop a cost estimate for accurate budget planning.
It’s essential to define current and future expansion needs to design an appropriate frame. For large spans, a column-free structure should be considered for efficient operation.
Heights typically range from 6–12m, depending on machinery, production lines, or cranes. Spans of 12–30m influence the selection of beams and columns.
All technical systems should be integrated into the design to avoid costly revisions. Common solutions include natural ventilation, industrial exhaust fans, and polycarbonate roof panels for daylighting.
Design must comply with TCVN (Vietnamese standards) and fire safety regulations, including escape routes, lighting, extinguishers, and signage to ensure construction and operational permits.
Choosing between pre-engineered steel structures and traditional reinforced concrete is a trade-off between cost, functionality, and construction time. Each has pros and cons, but in the context of rapid industrialization, steel structures are gaining the upper hand.
- Steel Structures: Fabrication and assembly occur in parallel, saving 30–50% time. Components are assembled like a Lego set.
- Reinforced Concrete: Time-consuming due to on-site work, weather dependency, concrete curing, and formwork removal, leading to delays.
- Steel Structures: Easily expandable or modifiable without affecting the main structure. Suitable for phased development.
- Concrete: Difficult to modify. Expansion often requires demolition, which is costly and disrupts production.
- Steel Structures: Lower material and labor costs, reduced foundation needs, and quicker build time lower opportunity costs.
- Concrete: Requires more heavy materials, larger crews, and longer timelines, increasing total investment.
- Steel: High load-bearing capacity but prone to corrosion without regular maintenance.
- Concrete: Better fire resistance but prone to cracks over time if construction quality is poor.
Conclusion: If you need a fast, flexible, and cost-efficient solution, pre-engineered steel factory design is the more appropriate choice in today’s industrial landscape.
- Certified engineering team
- Experience with projects from 500–10,000 m²
- Detailed quotations for each item
- Assistance with building permits, fire safety, and utilities documentation
- Clear project timelines
- Minimum 2-year structural warranty
Pre-engineered steel factory design is not only a modern trend in industrial construction, but also an optimal solution in terms of time, cost, and operational efficiency. With fast construction, strong structures, and easy future expansion, steel frame factories are increasingly favored by businesses in production, warehousing, and logistics.
If you're looking for a professional, durable, and cost-saving steel factory design solution, don't hesitate to contact BIC for a free consultation and detailed project quote.
