A structural steel package is quoted, fabricated and erected from the information in the enquiry. Most of the cost and programme risk on a steel job comes from gaps in that information, not from the fabrication itself. This checklist is written for the plant engineer or buyer putting a package out to tender.
1. Send drawings that define the job
- General arrangement drawings with member sizes and grades
- Connection design or a clear statement of who designs the connections
- Whether the fabricator must produce shop drawings and who approves them
- A bill of materials if one exists. Check its tonnage against the drawings.
2. State the standards
In South Africa, structural steel design typically follows SANS 10162-1, and fabrication and erection are commonly specified through SANS 2001-CS1, the construction standard for structural steelwork. Many plant owners add their own specifications. List them all, with editions, so the tolerances, weld inspection levels and documentation requirements are priced correctly.
3. Define the corrosion protection
Surface preparation grade, coating system, dry film thicknesses and whether galvanising applies. Coating is often a large share of the price and a frequent source of disputes on site.
4. Define inspection and records
Ask for an inspection and test plan (ITP) with hold and witness points. At handover, a complete quality pack normally includes material certificates traceable to the steel, welding procedures and welder qualifications, dimensional records, NDT reports where specified, coating inspection records and a delivery register.
5. Plan the erection interface
If another contractor erects the steel, agree on marking, bolt supply, temporary bracing, delivery sequence and laydown. If one contractor fabricates and erects, a single party owns fit-up problems on site.
6. Estimate tonnage early
Tonnage drives cost, transport and crane selection. Our free steel weight calculator estimates the mass of plate, flat bar and pipe from dimensions for early budgeting.
How Redsafe helps
Redsafe fabricates and installs structural steel for mining, petrochemical, energy and heavy industry, with in-house fabrication and coded welding. On referenced projects, Redsafe has used full workshop test-assembly to eliminate on-site adjustment.
Send us the drawings and an engineer will review the scope before quoting.
T-02 · Free toolSteel weight calculatorWeight of plate, flat bar, round bar and square or rectangular hollow sections from dimensions.
