How do you ensure the drawings are accurate?

Every model and drawing is independently reviewed by a senior checker against the structural design and connection calculations before it leaves our office — catching duplicate piece marks, rotated hole patterns, bolt-grade mismatches and missing weld callouts. We run model-based clash detection to eliminate conflicts before fabrication, and maintain a controlled RFI log and revision control. Per AISC 303, engineer approval does not shift responsibility for dimensional accuracy back to the engineer, so we own that accuracy and check accordingly.

What standards and codes do you work to?

We coordinate to ANSI/AISC 303 (Code of Standard Practice), AISC 360, AISC 341/358 for seismic, AWS D1.1 and A2.4 for welding, RCSC for high-strength bolting, and OSHA/IBC for egress, guardrails and ladders. Material is called out to ASTM grades, and models are built to the BIMForum LOD specification.

How fast can you turn around shop drawings?

Turnaround depends on scope, tonnage and where the project sits in the approval cycle. We typically issue an Advance Bill of Material within 1–2 weeks so the fabricator can order steel against 6–12 week mill lead times, and we issue early anchor rod plans for the foundation contractor.

How we work

Great detailing is a disciplined process, not a lucky draft.

Here's how we take a project from award to as-built — and how we keep it accurate at every step. This is the workflow technical buyers want to see before they hand over a package.

From award to fabrication release

Twelve steps, four phases.

Phase 01

Bid & Setup

Scope, standards and the model foundation are agreed before a single member is drawn.

01
RFQ, bid & award
Take-off, scope, schedule and CAD standards agreed.
02
Contract-document review & model setup
IFC drawings, specifications and piece-mark conventions established.

Phase 02

Model & Coordinate

Early material release protects the schedule while the model resolves conflicts.

03
Advance Bill of Material
Issued in 1–2 weeks so the fabricator can order against 6–12 week mill lead times; early anchor rod plans for the foundation contractor.
04
RFI cycle
Missing forces, conflicts, clearances and field-fit conditions raised early.
05
Delegated connection design
Coordinated with the fabricator's or owner's licensed PE.
06
3D modeling & detailing
LOD 350/400 model; clash detection; auto-generated drawings and reports.

Phase 03

Check & Approve

Nothing ships to the shop until it's independently verified and approved.

07
Independent senior checking
Every model and drawing validated against the S-sheets and connection calcs.
08
Submittal for approval
Electronic submittal to the SER/EOR per AISC 303.
09
Revise & resubmit
Comments incorporated and back-checked against the model.

Phase 04

Release & Field

Approved drawings, machine files and field support through close-out.

10
Fabrication release (IFA/IFC)
Approved drawings plus DSTV/NC1 and DXF exports for the shop floor.
11
Erection & field support
Erection drawings, field bolt lists and prompt RFI responses.
12
As-built close-out
Model updated and as-built drawings issued.

Quality assurance

Accuracy is designed in, not inspected in at the end.

Per AISC 303, engineer approval does not shift responsibility for dimensional accuracy back to the engineer — the detailer remains accountable. So we check accordingly.

Independent senior checking

Every drawing and the model reviewed against the structural design and connection calcs by a senior checker.

Model-based clash detection

In-model and Navisworks/IFC clash detection resolves conflicts before fabrication, not during erection.

Systematic error checks

Duplicate piece marks, rotated hole patterns, bolt-grade/length mismatches and missing weld callouts caught before submittal.

Controlled revision & RFI log

Clear revision clouds and version control, with a documented back-check of every reviewer comment before fabrication release.

Codes & standards

Coordinated to the standards your project is built on.

We speak the codes fluently — and note where responsibility sits so there are no surprises at approval.

On accountability: per AISC 303, the detailer remains responsible for dimensional accuracy even after engineer approval. We treat that as a standard, not a footnote.

Standard practice	ANSI/AISC 303 — Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings & Bridges
Design	AISC 360 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
Seismic	AISC 341 & AISC 358 — prequalified moment connections
Welding	AWS D1.1 (structural) & AWS A2.4 (symbols)
Bolting	RCSC — high-strength bolt specification
Egress & safety	OSHA / IBC — guardrails, ladders, stairs
Modeling	BIMForum LOD 350 / 400 specification
Material	ASTM grades — A992, A572 Gr.50, A500 HSS, F3125 bolts

A process that protects your schedule

Put it to work on your next package.

Send your contract documents and we'll scope the work and commit to a realistic schedule.

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