Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1949, Page 4

Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Fire-proof, sound-proof and well insulated, a new type of product, the Nissen prefabricated steel building, has come onto the market to alleviate the building and material shortage, said Mr C. A. Morse, of Dargaville yesterday. The buildings are being distributed for use as commercial erections, garages and even for domestic accommodation.

A British product, the buildings arc available in four different sizes, 16ft by 39ft for a 576 sq. ft floor space, 24fl by 60ft for 1440 sq. ft, 24ft by 72ft for 1728 sq. ft and 91ft by 45ft for 4095 sq. ft. All sizes are available in multiples, the 16ft and 24ft sizes by 6ft and the 91ft model by 7ft 6in. They are made of T-iron steel ribs, with 3in. by 2in timber purlins which have a curved outer shell of corrugated steel sheeting attached to them. An inner lining provides a cavity of three inches between the shells, and this makes provision for insulation. In this way the building is designed to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. STAND ON CONCRETE Outer sheets are coated with bitumastic paint, and the top side of the corrugated sheets with a heat-repel-lent material. The inside is covered with softening material, which prevents echo. The buildings are erected on concrete foundations, the smaller 16ft and 24ft models on up-stands 4in. to 2ft in height. Several commercial firms in Christchurch and Gisborne have erected Nissen buildings. Import licences have been granted on the recommendation of the building controller.