| For modern steel construction, final approval on | | | | * The contractor should designate the detailer as |
| shop drawings is the most talked about issue | | | | his representative rather than stamping and |
| today. The use of sturdy steel can cut down both | | | | approving each shop drawing |
| initial costs and life cycle costs; but, it is crucial | | | | * The fabricator should do make early submittals |
| that one follows industry standards to avoid | | | | directly to the designer and last submittals to the |
| possible delays in approval process. To be specific, | | | | contractor and builder. |
| the amount of time required for approval is | | | | * Shop drawings should be conveyed electronically |
| posing a huge challenge for all parties involved in | | | | so that the time and handling expenses are |
| the process. | | | | reduced. |
| For the contractor, approval delays can influence | | | | * Participants should avoid checking items that are |
| all phases of a project. Most construction projects | | | | responsibility of the fabricator. |
| work in a linear fashion, a delay at any phase will | | | | * Use the idioms like - Approved as noted. Revise |
| automatically delay everything that follows. The | | | | & resubmit - to facilitate speedy execution |
| problem lies in a process that normally involves | | | | for final submittal. |
| drawings and RFIs being processed in a linear | | | | * Full review should be carried out when reviewing |
| fashion i.e., from fabricator to contractor to | | | | shop drawings. |
| owner to designer and back. Each stop along the | | | | There is also a need for responses and approvals |
| way eats up time. In most projects, the | | | | to be simplified for best fit with RFIs. While it is |
| construction documents are being controlled by | | | | apparent that this affects the speed of a project, |
| parties who have a little knowledge about the | | | | it seems obvious that a lengthy and complex |
| specific details. | | | | approval process will also have a considerable |
| Here are some recommendations from expert | | | | impact on project costs. Fabricators and |
| steel detailers: | | | | contractor end up loosing more money due to |
| * Produce limited copies of shop drawings and | | | | delays in final approvals. |
| RFIs for people who need them most | | | | |