AISC certified Steel erector

[dcceecy]

For one project, we want to use AISC certified steel erector. but the GC says there are only three companies certified in their state and all of them are not intrested in the job. The GC want us (engineer of record) to waive this requirement.
I am thinking if we waive the requirement, shall we do something extra to insure the quality of erection? more inspections?
Any suggestions?

 

[BAretired]

A Certified Steel Erector must have the following items:

Erection plan
Formal safety plan
Program to promote project planning
Formal program to monitor compliance with required welding and bolting procedures
Written substance abuse plan and policy

The only item in the above list which would concern me is the one respecting welding and bolting. The others are important, but it is not the responsibility of the EOR to ensure safety, project planning or substance abuse. You could ask for their documentation on all of the above, however.



BA

 

[JedClampett]

This has discussed before. The AISC certified erectors are all pretty good. If you don't get one, it's hit or miss. Some are excellent and some are horrible. But it's hard to get the AISC Certified Erectors interested in small jobs. The contractor is going to pay a premium if they can get one dialed in at all.
I'd ask for samples of their submittal drawings. I think you can tell pretty quickly if they're going to be a problem.
We run into this all the time in Arizona. There's a mom and pop (and idiot son) outfit that's one of the horrible ones. But if you looked at their submittal drawings, you'd recognize they're not of a quality you're used to seeing.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Go buy one or have someone certified

 

[grantstructure]

Is it just an AISC erector you can't get, or an AISC fabricator as well? If it's just the erector, then the main concern is how much talent you really need out of an erector on your particular job. If it's just a straightforward frame and your biggest concern is some yahoo torching the living daylights out of your deck while welding it down, you can stay on top of that with inspections. If you've got a project that's complicated by existing conditions or lots of detailed field work, you should talk with the contractor about what other erectors he's looking at and try to influence the selection based on what you know or can find out about the quality of their work. Ask for, and get, a preconstruction conference, and get the GC on your side with respect to the issues you're concerned about, whether it's making sure they grout base plates before the column gets loaded or getting studs welded properly or what have you.

 

[connectegr]

Chapter N of the new AISC Spec has QC requirements. These parallel the requirements for AISC certification, but do not require certification. You can specify compliance with Chapter N, which should provide a reasonable compromise.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

Providing fabrication and erection efficient structural design of connections. Consulting services for structural welding and bolting.

 

[steellion]

AISC certification is really expensive. We generally put in the project specification, but waive the requirement if we get push back from the contractor and we are confident that the steel shop and erectors can do the job.

 

[kylesito]

I specify this on every project but have yet to have a contractor who didn't push back on it. After a little leg work, I found out there were more than the 'limited' number of certified companies in the area but it just came down to him not putting it in his bid with the hope he could get it waived.

As was mentioned, if you do waive it, it can be hit or miss about who you end up with and you may end up spending more money and effort on your end holding their hand through the process.



PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi