Suburban OnSteel
Summer 2006
Detail Oriented
While there are many elements involved in delivering quality, accurate orders on schedule, one of the key behind-the-scene performers in the steel fabrication industry is the steel detailer.
These are the professionals who use both manual and computer-aided drafting (CAD) techniques to give “detailed” shape to construction concepts and convert specifications into drawings and plans to be followed by fabricators and erectors. In the simplest terms, detailers are the key to a complicated, yet vital process that ensures the quality and accuracy of a customer’s order.
With the rapid pace of today’s commercial and residential projects, construction drawings include less information than ever before, which means detailers must have extensive construction knowledge and outstanding problem-solving skills to accomplish their work. They must also be computer savvy and well versed in the latest techniques and industry standards, such as those established by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).
Many residential or commercial steel orders begin with a sales representative receiving specifications from the builder or general contractor. The specifications are forwarded to the detailer in order to create a shop drawing that will be used by fabricators to finish the order. The detailer is responsible for not only translating the measurements and other information into an accurate illustration, but also for identifying any loose ends, such as questioning whether the base plate of a column should be fabricated to face a particular direction in order to be concealed.
Detailers are also a key component of what takes place on the job site. They are responsible for creating drawings that include the details of each piece within the order and the plans for erecting the structure.
The detailer’s artistic abilities play an essential role in ornamental designs. Customers often have abstract ideas about how an ornamental railing or staircase should appear. An imaginative detailer will capture that vision in a concept drawing that can be viewed and verified. After approval, the concept drawing is expanded to a shop drawing, which will allow the custom fabrication crew to create the one-of-a-kind design.
Today, few fabricators employ in-house detailing teams, instead choosing to outsource to overseas service providers. This practice often leads to a significant increase in the amount of time it takes to complete an order. Employing a full-time, in-house detailing team provides a much greater degree of control over both quality and deadlines.
Suburban Steel Supply is one of only a few fabricators to employ a full-time, in-house professional detailing department trained in both traditional and CAD detailing. Contact Suburban Steel to discuss your commercial, residential, rebar or ornamental steel needs.
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