Check production data before parts are made.
From drawing to order
The order details must contain the same profiles, materials and... sizing contain as the coordinated design. Connection plates, holes, welds and surface treatment are part of the design where they are prescribed.
Also include installation
Discuss transport, access and possible division with the contractor and supplier. A different seam or partial connection can influence the design and must be coordinated in advance.
Order from a coordinated specification
Use the agreed drawing revision and check profile, length, steel grade, plates, holes and connections. Ask who makes the production drawing and what data was used for it. A material order based on only a profile name from the report is often incomplete. Also include protection, transport and installation supplies in the order, so that quotations cover the same delivery.
Check what can still change
Before production starts, relevant design choices and measured data must be sufficiently established. A changed opening or different support can affect several parts at the same time. Make it clear who approves which documents and how open points are handled. Save a recognizable order version. This makes it possible to later find out on which data the supplier has based its work.
Your preparation in four steps
- Current drawing revision
- Profiles and material quality
- Connection details
- Finishing and installation agreements
Frequently asked questions on this topic
Can I choose a steel beam based on the span alone?
No. Loads, support, lateral support, deformation and connections are also relevant. Two openings of the same width may therefore require different solutions. Do not use a general beam table as an ordering specification for an unknown existing structure.
Is another steel profile with the same height interchangeable?
Not automatically. Profile shape, dimensions, steel type and connections influence the behavior. Have a proposed alternative assessed before ordering. Also ask whether connection details, plates and required protection need to be adjusted.
View the associated structural calculation, create your preparation list or take the guides and checklists along to the consultation.