Metal Buildings Glossary: Main Frame to Multi-Span Building

Main Frame: An assemblage of rafters and columns that support the secondary framing members and transfer loads directly to the foundation.
Main Wind Force Resisting System: A structural assembly which provides for the overall stability of the building and receives wind loads from more than one surface. Examples include shear walls, diaphragms, rigid frames, and space structures.
Manufacturer's Engineer: An engineer employed by a manufacturer who is in responsible charge of the structural design of a Metal Building System fabricated by the manufacturer. The manufacturers engineer is typically not the Engineer of Record.
Mezzanine: An intermediate floor within a building above the ground floor that occupies all or part of the building floor area and consists of columns, beams, joists, deck panels and edge trims to receive reinforced concrete.
Multi-Gable Buildings: Buildings consisting of one or more gables across the width of the building.
Multi-Span Building: Buildings consisting of more than one span across the width of the building. Multiple gable buildings and single gable buildings with interior columns are examples.

Glossary M - O