Commercial Steel Estimating. Kerri Olsen

for Pipe Bollard Details

       Reviewing Drawings for Unidentified Steel Framing Items

       Reviewing Drawings for Counter Bracket Details

       Reviewing Drawings for Special Fabrication Items

       Summary

      Chapter 10 Fabrication Labor

       Labor Hours

       Labor Calculations

       Direct Shop Labor

       Understanding Cost Accounting

       Summary

      Chapter 11 Paint and Painting

       Painting Structural and Miscellaneous Steel

       Calculate the Amount of Paint Required

       Painting Miscellaneous Steel

       Theoretical Labor for Paint Applications

       Product Cleaning Prior to Painting

       Summary

      Chapter 12 Shipping and Handling

       Shipping

       Handling

       Summary

      Notes and References

       Reference Books and Manuals

       Guidelines

      Index

Acknowledgments

      This book is dedicated to all who have encouraged its creation. To my colleagues and friends, Jerry Heltne, Harlan Meier, Tami Hoover, Peggy Breen, Jeff Morris, Jennifer Eschweiler, and Dan Wyland, I thank you especially. My development of this guide has been due to your continued support.

      The following have kindly granted me permission to use many of the plans, sections, and details found herein:

      •Lewis T. Griffith, P.E., with the City of Tacoma, Washington

      •Scott Kuebler, with KPFF Consulting Engineers and KPG, Inc. of Tacoma, Washington

Introduction

      Steel estimating is an intriguing career that requires a strong constitution, a gambler’s heart, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. The steel industry is in constant movement, with ever-changing conditions and processes that both simplify and complicate the ability to understand all there is to know about the trade.

      Commercial Steel Estimating is designed as a comprehensive guide for anyone wanting to master the basics and know more about the steel fabrication trade. The book includes the following twelve chapters and additional notes and references:

      Chapter 1, The Steel Estimator, describes in general the job requirements and the estimating process. Information is given on how work to bid is found and how an estimate is created.

      Chapter 2, The Pricing Breakdown, lists the specific categories of that pricing to create a completed quote. The bid items listed there can be used in every project; they are intended to help you keep from missing any aspect of that quote. Each item is explained in detail so that you may understand why they are being used. This format may be utilized in some capacity for every quote, and serves as a good reminder for items that may otherwise not be considered.

      Chapter 3, The Bid Letter, provides an example of a standard bid letter used to define the specific scope of work to be presented to your potential customer. The Bid Letter is considered a living and legal document; it is the guide for everything the quote contains—from the day the job is bid to the final closeout billing.

      Each qualification, inclusion, and exclusion is listed for a specific reason, These reasons are explained in detail, some of which are further defined within subsequent chapters. Items for which you find only partial details and information in the bid documents need to be specifically established, identified, and described in the bid letter. At times you may need to provide quantities and sizes to define ambiguities in the bid set information. (The subsequent chapter Reading Architectural Drawings will show you how.)

      Chapter 4, The Bid Documents, explains these documents, including how to interpret and apply the information they contain. These documents identify the scope of work intended for Steel Fabrication. Samples of a Division 5—Metals specification are shown, followed by an explanation of every point of condition that is listed together with what each one means to the steel estimator.

      Chapter 5, The Contract Drawings, gives examples of some architectural drawings along with an explanation of how to read them. Detailed information on how to view and understand these drawings is provided through samples of plan views, elevation views, and section cuts, presented in a step-by-step format.

      Chapter 6, Steel Materials, provides an introduction to the most common steel material sizes and shapes. Information is given regarding material grades, production, and common uses for the particular material types. This chapter will help you to become familiar with what the steel shapes look like while learning to read the contract drawings.

      Chapter 7, Reading Structural Drawings, provides specific information in how to read these drawings using sample contract drawings and details. In reviewing the section cuts and detail views from the point where they are called out at the drawing plan views, the steel estimator will be exploring the nuances of reading and using structural steel contract drawings.

      Chapter 8, Structural Steel Material Listing, uses the same contract drawing samples that were presented in Chapter 7, and explains how the information for materials is derived from the structural contract set and is then transformed into steel items to be fabricated. Information on how to calculate the lengths and sizes of parts and pieces is provided in detail. Sample take-off sheets listings are shown at the end of each example.

      Chapter 9, Reading Architectural Drawings, explains the process of reading and interpreting the information presented in these drawings in such a way that the reader can create a listing of steel materials. Samples for improvising steel fabrication information that is not specifically shown at the architectural drawings are given for both the bid letter and the take-off listing.

      Chapter 10, Fabrication Labor, provides commonly-used theoretical labor time applications as well as the thought process in applying those labor factors. Information is included on welding and weld symbols, and how to read them. Sample calculations with extensions demonstrating the application of shop labor factors are shown.

      Chapter 11, Paint and Painting, reviews sections of a typical specification on Painting and Coatings Section 099000. It explains how the information required for the steel fabricator is derived from this document. Information on applying paint labor and theoretical paint coverage is presented along with samples of how that information is utilized.

      Chapter 12, Shipping and Handling, offers basic information with regard to obtaining pricing for trucking—it calculates the steel to be shipped based on the take-off listing. Information and application of handling theory and labor is provided.

      This guide provides the beginner and those less experienced in steel estimating with a strong foundation in the trade. All of the suggested practices