Designing a PEMB for Bridge Cranes and Heavy Equipment
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMBs) are known for their strength and efficiency — but when your operation involves bridge cranes, hoists, or heavy equipment, that standard building frame won’t cut it. Designing for these loads requires early planning, structural upgrades, and precision coordination between your contractor, crane vendor, and engineer of record.
Whether you're running a fabrication shop, manufacturing facility, or service center in Utah, here’s what to expect when designing a PEMB around heavy-duty operations.
Understand the Forces Involved
Adding a bridge crane to a PEMB isn’t just about bolting on rails. It changes the entire load profile of the building. You’re no longer dealing with static live/dead loads — you now have:
Vertical loads from the crane weight and the maximum lifted load
Lateral loads from acceleration, deceleration, and side pull
Dynamic loads from moving components
Impact loads if materials shift or the hoist slams
A standard PEMB frame won’t account for these stresses unless they’re engineered into the design from the beginning.
Collaborate Early With Your Crane Vendor
The earlier you involve your crane vendor, the better. You'll need their exact specifications to design the building properly:
Crane capacity (tons)
Span and runway length
Hook height (how high the crane lifts)
Operating speed (slow or high-speed cranes have different impact factors)
Rail type and mounting requirements (top-running vs. underhung)
These details directly inform the size and reinforcement of the PEMB columns, rafters, and bracing systems.
Structural Reinforcement Is a Must
For a PEMB to support cranes or heavy equipment, it needs significant reinforcement beyond a standard kit:
1. Crane Columns & Bracing
You'll likely need independent crane columns inside or alongside the PEMB columns. These are designed to handle the vertical and lateral crane forces without transferring them through the wall system.
2. Runway Beams
The horizontal beams that support the crane rails must be designed for high loads with tight deflection tolerances. These can be built into the PEMB package or fabricated separately depending on the crane setup.
3. Tighter Deflection Criteria
Standard PEMBs allow a certain amount of flex under wind or snow loads. But cranes require limited deflection to ensure safe, level operation. The structural design must account for this added rigidity.
Don’t Forget the Foundations
Cranes increase not only the weight of the building but also the point loads on your foundation. Your foundation engineer will need to size footings and reinforcements based on:
Crane capacity
Load frequency
Soil conditions
Heavier-duty machinery may also require equipment pads, isolated slabs, or pit-mounted areas — all of which must be coordinated before the concrete is poured.
Ventilation, Electrical, and Clearance Planning
Designing a PEMB around heavy equipment isn’t just about the structure — it also affects:
Electrical service: Cranes often require dedicated 3-phase power with specific amperage
Ventilation: Welding shops, maintenance bays, and foundries may require exhaust hoods or fresh air intake
Access: Oversized equipment needs larger doors, higher clearance, and drive-through pathways
Plan these details early with your design/build contractor to avoid expensive revisions later.
Why PEMBs Are Still Ideal for Heavy Equipment
Despite the added complexity, PEMBs are still the best option for crane-ready and equipment-heavy facilities in Utah. Here’s why:
Custom engineering allows tailored support for your exact crane specs
Open floor spans are ideal for equipment layout and maneuverability
Durable steel frames hold up under constant movement and vibration
Faster build times help you operationalize your facility sooner
With the right team, your building will meet code, handle your equipment loads, and remain adaptable as your operations grow.
Conclusion: Build It Right From the Start
If you're adding bridge cranes, hoists, or heavy-duty machinery to your operation, don’t retrofit a standard building — design it from the ground up with those loads in mind.
At A.D. Constructors, we’ve helped industrial developers across Utah design PEMBs that handle serious equipment without compromise. We coordinate with crane vendors, structural engineers, and your ops team to ensure every detail is right — from runway beams to concrete pads.
Let’s talk about your crane-ready PEMB.
We’ll help you design a system that works for your workflow — not against it.