Steel detailing is not simply the process of converting structural design drawings into fabrication drawings. A steel detailer must interpret architectural and structural information, coordinate with other trades, identify missing or conflicting information, and make sure every connection and steel member can be fabricated and installed correctly.

This is where an RFI in steel detailing becomes important.

RFI stands for Request for Information. In steel detailing, an RFI is a formal request raised by the detailer, fabricator, contractor, or other project participant when the available drawings or specifications do not provide enough information to complete the detailing accurately.

A well-prepared RFI helps resolve design uncertainties before they become fabrication errors, field conflicts, rework, or installation delays.

For companies such as Simsona, which provide structural engineering and steel detailing services, RFIs are an important part of the coordination and quality control process.

What Is an RFI in Steel Detailing?

An RFI in steel detailing is a formal communication used to obtain clarification about a structural condition, connection, dimension, material specification, design requirement, or other piece of information needed to complete the steel detailing process.

Structural drawings may show the overall design intent but may not always contain every piece of information required for fabrication. For example, a structural plan may show a beam framing into a column without clearly defining the connection configuration.

The steel detailer cannot simply make an assumption that could affect fabrication or structural performance.

Instead, the detailer identifies the issue and submits an RFI to the responsible engineer, architect, contractor, or project team.

The response then becomes part of the project’s documented information and can be incorporated into the shop drawings and fabrication documents.

Why Are RFIs Important in Steel Detailing?

Steel fabrication requires a high degree of accuracy. A small discrepancy in a structural drawing can potentially create significant problems once steel reaches the fabrication shop or construction site.

An RFI helps address these uncertainties before they become physical problems.

For example, consider a steel beam that frames into a column. The structural drawings may indicate the beam size and location but provide insufficient information about the connection.

The detailer may need clarification regarding:

• Connection type.
• Number and size of bolts.
• Weld requirements.
• Connection plate dimensions.
• Beam elevation.
• Supporting member geometry.
• Required connection capacity.
• Existing field conditions.

Rather than assuming the missing information, the detailer can raise an RFI.

This creates a controlled process for resolving the issue.

RFIs Help Prevent Fabrication Errors

Once steel has been fabricated, correcting an incorrect plate dimension, hole location, or connection configuration can be expensive.

Resolving uncertainty during detailing is generally much easier than correcting the same problem after fabrication.

RFIs Reduce Field Rework

Incorrect or incomplete detailing can result in steel members arriving at the jobsite that cannot be installed as intended.

This can lead to field modifications, additional labor, material waste, and schedule delays.

Proper RFI management helps reduce these risks.

RFIs Improve Design Coordination

Steel structures interact with architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. A steel detailer may discover that a proposed beam, brace, or connection conflicts with another building component.

An RFI provides a formal mechanism for resolving the conflict.

Common Reasons for Raising an RFI in Steel Detailing

RFIs can arise for many different reasons during a steel detailing project. Some of the most common include missing dimensions, conflicting drawings, unclear connections, changes in design, and coordination problems.

Missing Dimensions

A structural drawing may show the location of a steel member without providing enough dimensions to establish its exact position.

For example, a beam may be shown between two columns, but the drawing may not clearly identify the required offset from a gridline.

The detailer may need clarification before preparing the shop drawing.

Conflicting Information

Different project drawings can sometimes contain inconsistent information.

For example, a structural plan may indicate one beam size, while another drawing indicates a different member size.

The detailer should not select one option without confirmation when the difference can affect the structural design or fabrication.

An RFI allows the project team to establish which information governs.

Unclear Connection Details

Connections are one of the most important areas where RFIs arise.

A structural drawing may identify a beam-to-column connection but provide limited information about the connection design.

The detailer may require clarification regarding the connection type, bolts, welds, plates, stiffeners, or other components.

Missing Structural Information

Occasionally, information required for detailing may not appear in the structural documents.

This could include information about:

• Base plates.
• Anchor rods.
• Bracing connections.
• Moment connections.
• Shear connections.
• Stiffeners.
• Splices.
• Embed plates.
• Miscellaneous steel.

Rather than filling the gap with an unsupported assumption, the detailer can raise an RFI.

Coordination With Other Trades

Steel framing must often be coordinated with HVAC ducts, plumbing systems, electrical equipment, architectural elements, curtain walls, stairs, and other building components.

A clash identified during BIM coordination may require a design decision.

For example, an HVAC duct may pass through the space occupied by a structural beam. The detailer or BIM team may raise an RFI asking whether the beam location can be adjusted or whether another solution should be adopted.

Typical RFI Examples in Steel Detailing

Understanding practical RFI situations makes the concept easier to understand.

Example 1: Beam Connection

The structural drawing identifies a W18 beam framing into a column but does not provide sufficient connection information.

The detailer raises an RFI requesting clarification regarding the connection design.

The engineer provides the required connection information, and the detailer incorporates it into the shop drawings.

Example 2: Beam Elevation

Two drawings show different elevations for the same beam.

The detailer cannot determine which elevation should be used without confirmation.

An RFI is submitted to establish the correct elevation.

Example 3: Anchor Rod Location

A column base plate requires anchor rods, but the foundation drawing and structural steel drawing show different anchor locations.

The discrepancy is identified during detailing.

The detailer raises an RFI before finalizing the base plate and anchor rod arrangement.

Example 4: Steel and MEP Coordination

A structural beam conflicts with an HVAC duct shown in the coordinated model.

The detailer identifies the conflict and submits an RFI requesting direction from the design team.

The approved solution is then incorporated into the coordinated model and drawings.

The Steel Detailing RFI Process

An effective RFI process should be systematic. The objective is not simply to ask a question but to document the issue clearly enough that the responsible party can provide an accurate answer.

Step 1: Identify the Issue

The steel detailer reviews structural drawings, specifications, architectural information, and other project documents.

During this process, the detailer identifies missing, conflicting, or unclear information.

Step 2: Verify the Issue

Before raising an RFI, the detailer should check the available project information carefully.

Sometimes the required answer may already exist in another drawing, specification, detail, or previous revision.

This verification helps prevent unnecessary RFIs.

Step 3: Prepare the RFI

The RFI should clearly describe the issue.

A good RFI generally includes:

• RFI number.
• Project name.
• Drawing number.
• Drawing revision.
• Location.
• Reference detail.
• Description of the issue.
• Relevant screenshots or marked-up drawings.
• Specific question.
• Required response date.

The question should be precise rather than open-ended.

Step 4: Submit the RFI

The RFI is submitted through the project’s established communication or document management system.

Depending on the project, this could involve the general contractor, structural engineer, architect, construction manager, or another designated party.

Step 5: Receive and Review the Response

Once the design team responds, the detailer reviews the answer to make sure it resolves the original issue.

If the response introduces another conflict or remains unclear, additional clarification may be required.

Step 6: Update the Steel Detailing

The approved information is incorporated into the relevant shop drawings, erection drawings, fabrication models, connection details, or other project documents.

Step 7: Maintain Documentation

The RFI response should remain associated with the project documentation.

This creates a record of why a particular detailing decision was made.

What Makes a Good RFI?

A good RFI should be clear, specific, concise, and supported by evidence.

Instead of writing:

“Please clarify this connection.”

A better RFI would identify the exact location, drawing reference, issue, and information required.

For example:

“Structural drawing S301 indicates a W18 beam framing into Column C12 at Grid B/4. The connection type is not identified, and no connection detail is provided. Please confirm the required beam to column connection and associated connection design requirements.”

The second approach gives the engineer enough context to understand the issue quickly.

RFI vs Shop Drawing Review Comment

RFIs and shop drawing review comments are related but serve different purposes.

An RFI is generally used when information is missing, unclear, conflicting, or requires a project decision.

A shop drawing review comment is typically provided during the review of submitted fabrication or erection drawings.

For example, if the structural engineer has not specified a connection type, an RFI may be appropriate.

If the connection has already been designed and the submitted shop drawing incorrectly represents that connection, the issue may instead be addressed through a shop drawing review comment.

Understanding this distinction helps maintain an efficient project communication process.

RFI vs Change Order

An RFI itself does not necessarily represent a change in project scope or cost.

An RFI may simply clarify information that was already part of the design.

However, an RFI response can sometimes result in a design change that affects quantities, fabrication, labor, schedule, or cost.

In such cases, the project team may need to evaluate whether the change requires a formal change order or other contractual action.

Role of BIM in RFI Management

Building Information Modeling can make RFI identification and coordination more effective.

A coordinated 3D model allows steel detailers to examine the relationship between structural steel and other building systems before fabrication begins.

For example, BIM coordination can reveal:

• Beam and duct conflicts
• Column and architectural conflicts
• Stair connection issues
• Clearance problems
• Equipment access issues
• Structural framing discrepancies
• Conflicts between steel and concrete elements

When a problem is identified in the model, the detailer can provide a screenshot or model view with the RFI, making the issue easier for the design team to understand.

This is particularly useful on complex projects where multiple disciplines must coordinate closely.

How RFIs Support Steel Detailing Quality Control

RFI management should be viewed as part of quality control rather than simply administrative communication.

A professional steel detailing workflow involves multiple stages of checking before drawings are released for fabrication.

During these checks, detailers may review:

• Member sizes.
• Member locations.
• Elevations.
• Connections.
• Bolt arrangements.
• Weld requirements.
• Plate dimensions.
• Anchor rods.
• Openings.
• Bracing.
• Intersections.
• Architectural interfaces.
• MEP coordination.
• Drawing consistency.

When an issue cannot be resolved from the available information, an RFI provides a formal path for obtaining clarification.

This helps prevent assumptions from entering the fabrication model.

How Simsona Handles RFIs in Steel Detailing

At Simsona, steel detailing is approached as a coordinated process rather than simply a drawing production activity.

The company provides steel detailing and structural engineering services for projects across the United States, with experience supporting projects involving structural steel, connections, shop drawings, fabrication documentation, and construction coordination.

RFIs can form an important part of this workflow.

Simsona’s steel detailing teams review project information to identify discrepancies and missing information that could affect the accuracy of fabrication and erection documents. When clarification is necessary, the issue can be documented and communicated to the appropriate project stakeholder.

The objective is to resolve uncertainty as early as possible.

This approach is particularly important on complex steel projects where structural drawings, architectural drawings, fabrication requirements, field conditions, and other building systems must work together.

Simsona also works with technologies such as Tekla Structures, Revit, and AutoCAD, which can support detailed model based coordination and drawing production.

RFIs and Constructability

One of the major benefits of effective RFI management is improved constructability.

A steel detailer works close to the fabrication and erection process and can identify practical issues that may not be obvious in a high level structural design.

For example, a detailer may identify that:

• A connection is difficult to fabricate.
• Bolts have insufficient access.
• A member cannot be erected as shown.
• A weld is inaccessible.
• A plate interferes with another component.
• A field connection requires clarification.
• A steel member conflicts with another trade.

Identifying such issues during detailing gives the project team an opportunity to address them before the steel reaches the jobsite.

Best Practices for RFI Management in Steel Detailing

An efficient RFI process depends on good communication and documentation.

Avoid Unnecessary RFIs

The detailer should first review all available project information before submitting an RFI.

Ask One Clear Question

If possible, each RFI should focus on a specific issue rather than combining several unrelated questions.

Include Drawing References

Drawing numbers, sheet details, grid locations, member marks, and revisions make it easier to locate the issue.

Use Marked Up Views

A screenshot or marked up drawing can often communicate a complex steel condition more effectively than a long explanation.

Do Not Make Unapproved Assumptions

A detailer should distinguish between routine detailing decisions that fall within established project standards and decisions that require engineering clarification.

Track Responses

RFI responses should be properly recorded and linked to the affected drawings and models.

Update All Relevant Documents

When an RFI response changes a steel condition, the corresponding model, shop drawings, erection drawings, and other affected documents should be reviewed and updated.

Conclusion

RFIs are an essential communication tool in modern steel detailing. They provide a structured way to resolve missing information, conflicting drawings, unclear connections, coordination problems, and constructability concerns before these issues become fabrication or field problems.

For steel detailers, the goal is not to generate more RFIs. The goal is to identify the right questions at the right time and obtain clear answers before fabrication and erection.

A strong RFI process, combined with accurate steel modeling, drawing review, BIM coordination, and quality control, helps create a more reliable path from structural design to fabrication and construction.