Preplanning

Preplanning for steel erection involves four main areas:

1. Compressive strength of the concrete
2. Approval of changes to anchor bolts before construction begins
3. Proper site layout
4. Hoisting operations

Before any steel erection may begin, the controlling contractor must receive written notification that the concrete in the footings, piers, and walls has enough compressive strength to support the steel structure. Compressive strength represents the amount of weight or force a material can withstand before deforming. A sample of the concrete or mortar being used must be taken and cured on-site, and then subjected to an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard test. The sample must have either 75 percent of the intended minimum compressive design strength, or enough to support the amount of weight to be imposed on the structure during the steel erection process.

If any repair, replacement, or modification of the anchor bolts takes place before construction begins, the changes must be done with the approval of the project structural engineer. The controlling contractor must notify the steel erector that these changes were made.

The construction site must be laid out so that derricks, cranes, trucks, and other equipment can safely navigate to and throughout the site. Access roads must be firm, properly graded (not too steep), drained, and readily accessible. There must be enough space for the safe storage and operation of the erector's equipment. The employer must also develop means and methods for vehicular and pedestrian control, such as fences, gates, or a traffic controller.

All hoisting operations must also be preplanned to ensure that no one is working directly beneath the hoisted materials except for the people directly involved in the hoisting operations. The details of hoisting safety will be discussed in a later section.

To learn more about Construction Steel Erection visit our Construction Steel Erection Safety Online Training web page.