10 Questions to Ask a Structural Steel Fabricator

When starting a new commercial or residential project, you will want the right structural steel fabricator behind you. While there are different types of fabrication materials, structural steel frequently comes out on top when it comes to strength, ductility, and durability. But, it’s not just about the material; for project success–especially when it comes to complicated projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines–the fabricator you choose matters. With inexperienced fabricators, small glitches can snowball into more significant issues. Here are ten things to look for in a structural steel fabricator.

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1. How Experienced is the Structural Steel Fabricator?

When you’re looking for a structural steel fabricator, experience matters, and the first thing you’ll want to check is their current and past projects. You want practical, hands-on experience, and to guarantee it, you’ll want to see examples of their work. Can they point you towards similar projects?

You will also want to vet everyone involved in those projects. You’ll want to see:

• Engineers – are they good at translating shop drawings into viable projects? Can they show you examples?
• Tradespeople – are they certified in their field and dedicated to what they do? Can you see examples of past work?
• Project Managers – do they understand the process in-and-out? Can they show you how they’ve broken down past projects?

Vetting structural steel fabricators is a two-part process that includes understanding what they’ve done and who you’ll be working with.

2. What is Their Process?

It is essential for complex architectural metal fabrication and industrial metalwork projects that structural elements arrive at just the right time, demanding close collaboration from detailers, erectors, and fabricators. How does the structural steel fabricator break their process down? For complex projects, you’ll want to see a detailed breakdown that covers costs along the way. You can ask:

• Is the process extensive and realistic?
• Does it take into account and add buffers for approvals you’ll need?
• Does it include necessary permits that the fabricator is responsible for?
• Does it include visits to the work site to assess the specifics of delivery and installation?
• Does it account for all safety checks and precautions?
• Does it allocate time for communication with each of the different stakeholders?

If the structural steel fabricator brushes over any questions or requests for higher specificity and accuracy, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

3. How Well Will the Structural Steel Fabricator Communicate With You?

How does the steel fabricator plan to communicate each step with you and other stakeholders throughout the project? For challenging projects, small failures of communication can snowball into big issues. Ask the steel fabricator:

• Who will I be speaking with for the duration of the project?
• What’s the best way to be in touch?
• If I can’t reach you, from who and when will I hear back?
• How will I be alerted to milestone achievements or issues?

You’re looking for easy, transparent communication with a fast turnaround. If the structural steel fabricator doesn’t have an established process for communicating with customers that meets all three needs, you should look elsewhere.

4. What Certifications Do They Have?

What certifications does the structural steel fabricator you’re considering have?

• AISC – AISC issues the most widely recognized standard for quality in the structural steel industry. AISC demands a rigorous evaluation that includes an administrative review, documentation audit, and on-site audit.
• CWI – Are welders Certified Welding Inspectors? CWI is issued by the American Welding Society (AWS) and helps to validate that welders show the highest level of quality workmanship.
• Local certifications: steel fabricators are typically approved to work in various counties and cities. Make sure that the steel fabricator you’re considering is approved to work onsite.

5. Does The Structural Steel Fabricator Specialize?

In structural steel fabrication, it’s not about general experience, it’s about project-specific experience. Does the structural steel fabricator you’re considering specialize, or are they big enough that they’ve successfully completed different types of projects? If not, they may stumble over the project, leading to setbacks and financial pitfalls.

Structural steel projects can be so large and multi-faceted, that they require an attention to detail that only an experienced fabricator can give. It’s important to find a company that can handle the grade, type, and gauge of metal needed for your project, any additional fabrication required, as well as any coordination and communication required.

6. Will They Use a Sub-Contractor?

It should go without saying that any structural steel fabricator you take on for your project has the capabilities to do it, but many may subcontract part of the project out. This doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker as long as you make sure that the company you choose can handle the project from start to finish. If they are sub-contracting work out, do a background check of the sub-contractor as well. Whoever is working on your project should have the equipment, skilled staff, materials, and production capacity to complete your project on time and within budget – whether or not you’ll be working directly with them.

7. What is Their Capacity?

Does the structural steel fabricator have the capacity to meet your needs? One recurring issue of smaller steel fabricators is their inability to meet the high supply-demand of their clients. If you have a massive project, you’ll need a minimum workforce and allocation of facility tools and equipment. A company may employ 30 employees, but only a fraction of them may be qualified to provide the services you need; similarly, a company may have the right equipment, but they may have concurrent demands from other clients. Ensure that the structural steel fabricator you’re considering has enough specialists and equipment to meet your needs for the duration of your project.

8. What Tools And Equipment Does The Structural Steel Fabricator Have?

Speaking of tools and equipment, does your structural steel fabricator have the right ones for your project? Ask the fabricators to give a tour of their facility and workshop so you can see firsthand their tools and equipment. For tough fabrication jobs that require accuracy and expertise, you will most certainly need advanced tools and equipment. A tour is also another opportunity to make sure you have a rapport with your fabrication partners.

9. How Highly Do They Value Customer Service?

Do you feel like you’re at the center of the steel fabricator’s attention and that they’re committed to your satisfaction? No matter the fabricator’s size, look for guiding principles that include customer service at the heart of their organization. For this, you can assess your treatment during the vetting phase and validate your impressions by checking with references – great steel fabricators won’t hesitate to send a few references your way.

10. How Seriously Do They Take Safety?

Finally, does your steel fabricator take safety seriously? Ask the fabricator:

• Do they meet the latest OSHA requirements for design and construction?
• What is their safety record?
• Do they have a comprehensive safety program that protects their employees?
• When is the last time OSHA inspected them?

It is also possible to look at recent OSHA citations in the metal fabrication industry to better understand how fabricators are focusing their compliance efforts.

The Bottom Line When It Comes to Structural Steel Fabricators

Not all structural steel fabricators are created equal, so do your research when choosing a fabrication company. Large or small, contractor or subcontractor, there’s a lot to consider! Use these 10 considerations to help you choose the best fabricator for current and future projects.

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Kloeckner Metals is a full-line steel supplier and service center. Kloeckner Metals combines a national footprint with the latest fabrication and processing technologies and the most innovative customer service solutions.

What is Steel?

Steel is a metal alloy comprised of natural elements found within the crust of the Earth formed from iron and nonmetal carbon. When iron and carbon are correctly combined, the result is steel, a purified form of iron. By introducing other elements such as molybdenum, nickel, silicon, nitrogen, and manganese, the alloying of the steel is changed, creating different types of steel, such as stainless steel and various other varieties. Nearly all steel grades are grouped into the following classifications and grades:
Steel Classifications

• Carbon
• Manganese
• Nickel
• Nickel-chromium
• Carbon-molybdenum

Steel Grades

• Carbon steel
• Alloy steel
• Stainless steel
• Tool steel

What is Carbon Steel?

Carbon steel contains trace alloying elements such as manganese, copper, and silicon. For 90% of the total steel production, carbon steels have a dull, matte-like appearance and are available in low-, medium-, and high-carbon steel varieties.

What is Alloy Steel?

Alloy steels contain various elements, including aluminum, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, silicon, titanium, and more. The alloying elements change the steel’s properties, allowing for various features and beneficial properties, including enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, and ductility.

What is Stainless Steel?

Containing between 10-20% chromium, stainless steel’s low carbon content provides increased strength and corrosion resistance for home appliances, food processing equipment, and much more.

What is Tool Steel?

Tool steels are primarily composed of cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium, making them extremely hard, durable, and heat resistant. As its name indicates, tool steel is ideal for making tools used for drilling, stamping, cutting, and more.

How is Steel Manufactured?

Steel is typically manufactured in two ways. The first is the BOS (basic oxygen furnace) method, which uses raw material inputs to create steel. The BOS method uses iron smelted from ore in a blast furnace and reprocessed by blowing oxygen through the heated iron. The iron is converted to molten steel by lowering the carbon content within the iron by lowering oxygen levels, which reduces the impurities of the iron.
The EAF (electric arc furnace) method utilizes a more modern approach using recycled steel rather than pure iron ore. The recycled steel is converted into new steel by passing it through compelling electrical arcs that burn away its impurities, leaving only new steel ready for use.

What are the Benefits of Steel?

Compared to other building materials, steel continues to be the go-to choice for building and new construction projects. Steel is also used in nearly every industry in the world. Steel provides the most bang for the proverbial buck, whether it’s automotive, aerospace, medical, food processing, technology, or infrastructure. Steel properties and advantages include the following:

High-Strength

The mix of elements within steel’s construct provides it with enhanced strength. When strength tested, steel routinely outperforms aluminum, titanium, iron, and other metals. Steel remains the metal of choice when high strength is necessary.

Corrosion Resistance

When it comes to corrosion resistance, stainless steel is the first grade that comes to mind. Due to its performance and cost advantages over other corrosion-resistant metals, stainless steel is the zenith and gold standard for corrosion-resistant metals. Standard steels also provide decent corrosion resistance, but nothing compared to stainless.

Melting Point

The melting points of steel and stainless steel are relatively high compared to other metals. Steel’s high melting point allows it to be used for various applications and environments that experience consistently high temperatures. Steel’s approximate melting point is 2500 F (1371 C), while stainless steel has an approximate melting point of 2750 F (1510 C), respectively.

What are the Types of Steel Products?

Steel and its various alloys and grades are available in several formats to meet the specifications and needs of nearly any industrial project. Some of the many steel-shape options include:

What is Galvanized Steel?

Galvanized steel is standard steel coated with a sacrificial zinc finish that protects the steel substrate from corrosion and harmful environmental effects. Galvanized steel is produced through a hot-dip method where the steel is submerged in a zinc bath, offering an extended service life at moderate temperatures.

What is Corten Steel?

Corten, or weathered steel, is designed specifically for outdoor applications; it is engineered to withstand extreme environments and does not require painting. Within a few months of installation, corten steel will develop an aesthetically pleasing, rust-like patina that is perfect for various architectural applications.

Can Steel Get Rusted?

Steel is a mixture of iron and carbon. When exposed to water or moist environments, steel will assuredly rust. However, stainless steel is comprised of the chromium element. Chromium forms a protective shield around the steel substrate, providing the metal with extended protection over standard steel.

The IMS Difference

What separates IMS from other steel suppliers? With an abundance of metal options and customer service that is second to none, IMS has you covered with the following metal stock advantages:
 

• Next-day delivery of processed material via our trucks
• Same-day pick-up in Will-Call
• No minimum purchase
• Unprecedented customer service
• Support of Just-in-Time manufacturing processes
• Salespeople that act as an extension of your purchasing department (we will get any metal products you need)
• Material management (stocking and delivery on a scheduled basis)
• Credit lines with good terms
• Seven stores are open six days a week (check each location for specific times)
• Shop by metal alloy

IMS – Your Preferred Destination for Premium Steel Products and Exceptional Customer Service

Looking for high-quality steel products? IMS is your trusted steel supplier and metal stock provider. As a local steel supplier and stainless steel depot, we have products in the sizes and styles you need. IMS also provides 

Steel is the most used metal in the world; it is everywhere. Like oil and petroleum, steel is interwoven into the various products we rely on daily to sustain our chosen lifestyles. So, what is steel? How is steel manufactured? What type of steel alloys can be purchased? What are the properties and benefits of steel? These questions will be answered as we reveal the true nature of steel and discover the many alloys and products they generate.Steel is a metal alloy comprised of natural elements found within the crust of the Earth formed from iron and nonmetal carbon. When iron and carbon are correctly combined, the result is steel, a purified form of iron. By introducing other elements such as molybdenum, nickel, silicon, nitrogen, and manganese, the alloying of the steel is changed, creating different types of steel, such as stainless steel and various other varieties. Nearly all steel grades are grouped into the following classifications and grades:Carbon steel contains trace alloying elements such as manganese, copper, and silicon. For 90% of the total steel production, carbon steels have a dull, matte-like appearance and are available in low-, medium-, and high-carbon steel varieties.Alloy steels contain various elements, including aluminum, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, silicon, titanium, and more. The alloying elements change the steel’s properties, allowing for various features and beneficial properties, including enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, and ductility.Containing between 10-20% chromium, stainless steel’s low carbon content provides increased strength and corrosion resistance for home appliances, food processing equipment, and much more.Tool steels are primarily composed of cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium, making them extremely hard, durable, and heat resistant. As its name indicates, tool steel is ideal for making tools used for drilling, stamping, cutting, and more.Steel is typically manufactured in two ways. The first is the BOS (basic oxygen furnace) method, which uses raw material inputs to create steel. The BOS method uses iron smelted from ore in a blast furnace and reprocessed by blowing oxygen through the heated iron. The iron is converted to molten steel by lowering the carbon content within the iron by lowering oxygen levels, which reduces the impurities of the iron.The EAF (electric arc furnace) method utilizes a more modern approach using recycled steel rather than pure iron ore. The recycled steel is converted into new steel by passing it through compelling electrical arcs that burn away its impurities, leaving only new steel ready for use.Compared to other building materials, steel continues to be the go-to choice for building and new construction projects. Steel is also used in nearly every industry in the world. Steel provides the most bang for the proverbial buck, whether it’s automotive, aerospace, medical, food processing, technology, or infrastructure. Steel properties and advantages include the following:The mix of elements within steel’s construct provides it with enhanced strength. When strength tested, steel routinely outperforms aluminum, titanium, iron, and other metals. Steel remains the metal of choice when high strength is necessary.When it comes to corrosion resistance, stainless steel is the first grade that comes to mind. Due to its performance and cost advantages over other corrosion-resistant metals, stainless steel is the zenith and gold standard for corrosion-resistant metals. Standard steels also provide decent corrosion resistance, but nothing compared to stainless.The melting points of steel and stainless steel are relatively high compared to other metals. Steel’s high melting point allows it to be used for various applications and environments that experience consistently high temperatures. Steel’s approximate melting point is 2500 F (1371 C), while stainless steel has an approximate melting point of 2750 F (1510 C), respectively.Steel and its various alloys and grades are available in several formats to meet the specifications and needs of nearly any industrial project. Some of the many steel-shape options include:Galvanized steel is standard steel coated with a sacrificial zinc finish that protects the steel substrate from corrosion and harmful environmental effects. Galvanized steel is produced through a hot-dip method where the steel is submerged in a zinc bath, offering an extended service life at moderate temperatures.Corten, or weathered steel, is designed specifically for outdoor applications; it is engineered to withstand extreme environments and does not require painting. Within a few months of installation, corten steel will develop an aesthetically pleasing, rust-like patina that is perfect for various architectural applications.Steel is a mixture of iron and carbon. When exposed to water or moist environments, steel will assuredly rust. However, stainless steel is comprised of the chromium element. Chromium forms a protective shield around the steel substrate, providing the metal with extended protection over standard steel.What separates IMS from other steel suppliers? With an abundance of metal options and customer service that is second to none, IMS has you covered with the following metal stock advantages:Looking for high-quality steel products? IMS is your trusted steel supplier and metal stock provider. As a local steel supplier and stainless steel depot, we have products in the sizes and styles you need. IMS also provides metal cutting services to make purchasing easy and convenient. Stop by one of our California or Arizona locations or request a quote today.