SHOP DRAWING CHECKING GUIDE

A Detailers check list to checking 1.1 Bay spacing

workshop drawings. 1.2 Span
1.3 Roof Pitch - -The reason why it is
important to check these things
Why is steel shop drawing checking first, is that all other items fit
important?
in around these datums. If the

The "buck stops" at steel shop primary datums are right, there is
drawings. Steel shop drawings cannot little chance of a major mistake.
be interpreted, as working drawings 2. Check secondary building datums
are. They are specialized, precise,
instructions to the fabricator. 2.1 Column, Rafter, Bracing member
Checking is therefore very important, sizes
as the entire building geometry is
generally in the control of only one
2.2 Bracing setout
steel detailer. The Checker reduces the
chance of individual error to a
2.3 Purlin member sizes and spacing
commercially acceptable level.
2.4 Bolt size

2.5 Plate size

What qualifications does a checker
need?
etc. etc.

1. Experience in steel fabrication

Every number must be checked. Therefore
procedures
it is advantageous to have a robust
method of communicating the checkers
2. Strong geometry skills
thoughts back to the detailer. This can
be achieved by using the "Drawing
3. Attention to detail
Markup Method".

4. The checker does not need to be a

draftsperson
Drawing markup method

A neat, well-marked up, drawing is an

Areas to pay close attention
excellent way of communicating the
1. Design compliance
checkers thoughts. Here is a
2. Geometric Accuracy
recommended markup system.
3. Buildability
1. If a checker agrees with a number,
the number is highlighted in blue
Recommended Checking Approach
pencil
1. Check primary building datums first.
This often requires the checker to
create his own layout.
2. If a checker disagrees with a number reducing errors to a commercially
or linework, it is marked up in red acceptable level.
pen.

3. If the checker has a comment to

make, it is written in normal Typical Parts of a Shop Drawing Set
pencil
1. Assembly drawings
The advantage of this system is the
checker does not forget what has been 2. Single parts
checked. Also the detailer will not be
confused, with what has or has not been 3. Purlin orders
checked, and what is a comment or an
important change. 4. Holding down bolt plan

5. General arrangement plan

The "Threefold Chord" checking process 6. End wall-building elevations

Ultimately the Detailer has the 7. Field bolt list

responsibility for drawing integrity,
yet this can result in one person 8. Drawing index
having too great a degree of geometric
responsibility. Here is a process that All of these need to be checked
reduces the chance of individual person
error.

A Checker's check list

1. The Checker marks up the drawings, 1. Is all the information in the title
as described above block correct?

2. Checker red marks the Detailer 2. Are the details presented in an

agrees with, are marked with yellow "easy to read" manner?
highlighter as they are edited in
the drawing. Red marks the Detailer 2.1 All necessary sections/views
disagrees with are marked with present and projected properly.
orange highlighter
2.2 All necessary dimensions present.
3. The completed drawing and the
markups are returned to the 2.3 Any ambiguous dimensions.
Checker. Orange markups are
discussed with the Detailer till a
2.4 All necessary annotations present
resolution is reached. Once this is
and legible.
finished, the Checker signs the
final drawing. This drawing is now
2.5 Are details in accordance with
ready for construction issue.
standards, job specs, and
fabricator policy?
This process has been proven, through
experience, to be an excellent way of
2.6 Is their redundant or excessive
information on the detail?
2.7 Could I build the piece from the 6.11 Is Punching dis-allowed or reaming
information shown on the detail? required?

3. Did I check ALL the dimensions? 7. Is each shipping piece shippable?

over length, over width, overweight.
3.1 Are running dimensions required?
8. Are all the quantities correct?
4. Did I check the member sizes?
9. Does the bill of material match the
4.1 If size is substituted did I dimensions on the drawing?
consider impact on adjoining
members? 10. Are the erection drawings presented
in an "easy to read" manner?
5. Did I check the Connections?
10.1 Are the marks in the proper
5.1 For fit. location?

5.2 For engineer’s compliance
5.3 For code compliance
5.4 For erection clearance.
10.2 Do the columns have the correct
direction orientation?
10.3 Is there a "North Arrow" on the
plan?

6. Did I read the specs?
6.1 Is the grade of the material noted
correctly for all material?
6.2 site weld testing required?
10.4 Are all necessary dimensions shown
correct on the plan / elevation
views?
10.5 Are all member sizes shown correct
for each member?

6.3 Are there special cleaning and 10.6 Is all field welding that is
painting requirements? required shown correctly?

6.4 Is shop inspection required: NDT, 10.7 Are elevations at top of floors,
Radiograph, MagParticle etc? roofs, landings etc. shown
correct?
6.5 Are weld procedures required?
11. Are the bolts sizes, grades, and
6.6 Should any members or parts of quantities correct?
members be noted "no paint"?
11.1 Are oversize washers required for
6.7 Is special testing required for the the holding down bolts?
bolts?
11.2 Is there and special bolt
6.8 Load indicator washers required? requirements?

6.9 Is shop assembly required?
6.10 Is Cambering required?
12. Did I thoroughly study all the
design drawing to see if all the
members in the in the scope of the
fabricators contract have been
detailed?
12.1 Lintels. parts connecting to them. (any
component that is not straight or
12.2 Deck support angles. level

12.3 Embedded plates. 20. Layout and confirm connections for

12.4 Ships ladders, trash gate frames,
bollards, stairs, railings.
13. Is there a better, less expensive
way to fabricate any of the
pieces?
14. Are any pieces detailed beyond the
capabilities of the fabricator's
equipment?
secondary items like girts, door
frames and so on.
21. Layout and confirm connections for
miscellaneous items stairs,
handrail, ladders and so on.
22. What is the surface finishing?
22.1 Confirm no paint areas for field
welding and slip critical connections

14.1 Are bend lengths and thickness 22.2 If galvanizing is involved confirm
within machine capacity? max sizes for shipping. Is there
adequate drainage holes?
14.2 Shop splices shown where required
due to machine/material
limitations?

14.3 Are punch sizes available for the

slotted and round holes shown?

14.4 Are any pieces beyond lifting

capacity of the shop?

15. Did I co-ordinate interface with

other trades (holes for owner
machinery, holes for wood, match
holes in existing members)?

16. Did I put a lot of my unwanted

opinion into marking up the detail
(did I mark it up the way I would
have detailed it) or did I check to
see only if it was right or wrong
(if it works let it go)?

17. Establish marks for typical parts

such as base plates, cap plates,
stiff plates, shear plates ,
connection angles.

18. Layout and confirm connections

shown on design work... special
concentration to brace bays,
rafters or trusses or girders and