Shop Drawings  

A shop drawing is a detailed and precise set of individual steel components — beams, columns, channels, base plates, cleats, etc. It shows exact dimensions, hole placements, cut angles, weld symbols, and any required surface treatments (e.g., painting or galvanizing).

A steel detailer ensures that the fabrication shop can produce steel components exactly as needed, with no ambiguity, minimizing errors and waste. They must adhere to industry standards such as AISC, BS, or Eurocodes and follow project-specific guidelines to ensure consistency and quality.  

Erection Drawings  

An erection drawing is a type of construction drawing that shows how steel components are assembled on-site during the erection of a steel structure.

Steel detailers provide clear labeling, alignment, and reference points to guide erection crews during installation. They also include connection call-outs and sometimes offer guidance on erection sequencing or temporary supports to ensure structural stability during construction. In complex projects, additional details such as crane placement or lifting points may be included in coordination with erection engineers.

Material Take-Off (MTO)  

 A steel detailer plays a significant role in preparing the Material Take-Off (MTO), which is a comprehensive list of all materials required for the fabrication and erection of a steel structure. Steel detailers often use detailing software like Tekla Structures, Advance Steel, or SDS/2, which can automatically generate MTOs directly from the 3D model. These reports can be customized to group materials by size, grade, project phase, or fabrication sequence. The detailer must ensure the MTO aligns with project specifications, structural codes, and fabrication standards.

Code Compliance  

Steel detailers must follow industry standards to ensure safety, accuracy, and consistency. 

• AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction)—The standards are widely used in the USA for buildings and bridges. Key documents like the AISC Manual of Steel Construction and AISC 360 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings provide comprehensive guidelines for member design, fabrication tolerances, connection details, and erection procedures.
   

• AWS (American Welding Society)—These are welding standards that govern practices for weld types, weld sizes, joint preparations, and inspection methods.
   

• ASTM Standards—The standards specify steel material properties and testing methods. Standards such as ASTM A36, A572, and A992 define the mechanical properties, chemical composition, and performance expectations for different steel grades.
   

• IS Codes (Indian Standards) – In India, steel detailing must adhere to the Indian Standards (IS Codes). For example, IS 808 for standard hot-rolled sections and IS 875 for load calculations.
   

• BS EN Standards (British/European Norms) – For projects in the United Kingdom and Europe, steel detailing typically follows the British Standards (BS) and Eurocodes (EN). Historically, BS 5950 was the principal code for steel structures, but it has now been largely replaced by Eurocode 3 (EN 1993).
   

• CSA S16 (Canada)—In Canada, detailing must comply with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) S16 standard for the design of steel structures.
   

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) –Though not a design code, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, particularly OSHA 1926 Subpart R (Steel Erection Standards), play a vital role in the erection phase of a project. 

Coordination & Communication  

In today’s digital environment, steel detailers frequently work with advanced 3D modeling software such as Tekla Structures, AutoCAD, Advance Steel, or SDS/2.

Such software helps steel detailers interpret architectural and structural engineering drawings and translate them into fabrication-ready documents known as shop drawings. In addition to shop drawings, steel detailers also produce erection drawings. So therefore, a steel detailer must closely collaborate with various stakeholders, including architects, structural engineers, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) consultants, fabricators, and project managers.

These tools not only help create detailed models but also allow the integration of their work into Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflows, enabling clash detection, better coordination, and smoother communication among different stakeholders.

A steel detailer must closely collaborate with various stakeholders, including architects, structural engineers, MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) consultants, fabricators, and project managers. Clear communication helps resolve design ambiguities, confirm load paths, clarify connection details, and align steel components with architectural features and other building systems.

Integration with BIM
Steel detailing is increasingly integrated with building information modelling (BIM) that supports seamless coordination among architects, structural engineers, fabricators, and contractors.
BIM enables the creation of accurate 2D drawings and intelligent 3D models that automate fabrication workflows and data consistency across all phases of the projects.