subject: Reducing Errors In Steel Shop Drawings That Result In Added Costs [print this page] Errors in steel design drawings impacts steel fabrication and erection process considerably. Stringent tie-off procedures reduce risk of rework operations. Nothing can improve the situation as effectively as eliminating rework operations by having a complete design before releasing contract documents for construction.
Most of the following guidelines are basic and may or may not be applicable to the market you serve.
# Analyze the capacity of your firm and man hours required during the design phase and approval process prior to accepting the award. Be prepared to commit to specific turn-around times for RFIs and approvals that support the master schedule and the shop issue schedule developed by the steel fabricator.
# Develop and maintain a comprehensive quality management system that documents internal procedures. Update procedures regularly in response to recurring problems.
# Perform periodic reviews of construction schedules to ensure the dates on your action list net deliverables in accordance with revisions to the sequence and schedule of erection.
# Create checklists of that identify quality control points for drawings and specifications to ensure the documents are complete and correct.
# A separate checklist may help ensure conflicts and clashes created by changes have been reviewed prior to issuing the revised documents for construction.
# Minimize references to architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings. Coordinate and consolidate the information on the structural drawings.
# Do not deviate from the established codes unless absolutely required. Code language is subjected to a vetting process that eliminates errors, ambiguity and redundancy.
# Identify all columns, beams, braces including collectors that carry frame specific material requirements with LFRS designation.
Specific oversights that result in added costs:
>> Do not rely solely on the ASD and LRFD manuals for steel construction. Consult the seismic provisions for steel buildings to ensure compliance with the requirements stated for the specific type of frame and seismic zones applicable to your project.
>> Scrutinize the quantity and capacity of members designed to stay compression flanges of axially loaded members.
>> Items deemed to be architecturally exposed structural steel must be clearly identified on the structural drawings.
For any questions regarding to steel shop drawings and quick approvals email us at info@outsourcingsteeldetailing.com
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