Structural Steel Shapes from Mexico?

[WEJ83]

We have recently had several contractors inquire about using steel fabricated in Mexico. It has been a while since this last came up, and I am not up to date on the general quality of the materials and any legal requirements for using "domestic only" steel. Anyone up to speed on the issue that could offer the cliff notes before I delve deeper into the subject?

 

[dik]

...and you can check the latest NAFTA agreement to see if 'domestic only' is applicable.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[phamENG]

Only legal requirements I can think of would be on a government job. Some private companies might have buy American clauses in the construction contracts. I briefly worked for a major US steel producer, and I believe we had one in our standard agreements.

Barring those, it's up to you. Do you trust the material certifications? Do you trust the inspections in the shop? If you don't, then say no.

 

[LuK13]

I'll give you a tip if you go down this route and don't trust the shop 100%. When reviewing submittals, do not identify every error. Just mark them revise and resubmit, identify a few errors if you are feeling nice. I have seen resubmittals come back with every one of my comments addressed and glaring errors left that I did not identify. Also have seen material certs come back poorly doctored to try and address comments. You will find out pretty quick how much you can trust the shop.

 

[JLNJ]

Fabricated or rolled in Mexico?

Rolled is its own set of problems as I don't know what shapes are rolled in Mexico. I know we had issues on a school project in the States which required domestic steel, until it was discovered that the tubes we specified were all rolled in Canada. Then it was waived.

It seems to me that a fab shop will need to have AISC certification or be subject to Special Inspections (or have that requirement waived and you get what you get).