What Are Steel Fabrication Drawings?
A practical guide to steel fabrication drawings, what they contain and why they matter
Steel fabrication drawings are detailed technical drawings used to communicate how individual steel components and assemblies should be manufactured and put together.
They provide the fabricator with important information such as dimensions, materials, component identification, connections, welds, holes and assembly details.
For steelwork projects, accurate fabrication drawings help turn a 3D design or engineering requirement into practical information that can be used in the workshop and on site.
At New Architectural Design Services, we provide 3D steel modelling, detailing and fabrication drawing services for steelwork and architectural metalwork projects.
What Is a Steel Fabrication Drawing?
A steel fabrication drawing provides the detailed information required to manufacture a particular steel component or assembly.
While a general arrangement drawing gives an overall view of a structure, a fabrication drawing goes into much greater detail about the individual items that need to be manufactured.
Depending on the project, a drawing may show:
- Component dimensions
- Steel sections and plate sizes
- Material specifications
- Hole positions and sizes
- Weld information
- Connections
- Cutting information
- Assembly information
- Part numbers and references
- Finishing requirements
- Relevant notes and specifications
The exact information included will depend on the type of steelwork and the requirements of the project.
Fabrication Drawings vs General Arrangement Drawings
These two types of drawings are closely related but serve different purposes.
General Arrangement Drawings
A general arrangement (GA) drawing provides an overall representation of the steelwork.
It can show:
- Overall dimensions
- Grid lines
- Steel members
- Levels
- Positions of components
- Connections
- Sections and elevations
- Relationship between different parts of the structure
GA drawings are useful for understanding where components belong within the overall project.
Fabrication Drawings
Fabrication drawings provide more detailed information about how individual components are manufactured and assembled.
For example, a steel staircase might have a GA drawing showing the complete staircase, while individual fabrication or assembly drawings provide the information needed to manufacture the stringers, plates, brackets and other components.
Both types of drawing can therefore form an important part of a coordinated steelwork package.
What Information Is Shown on Steel Fabrication Drawings?
The information varies depending on the project, but detailed fabrication drawings can include several important elements.
Dimensions
Accurate dimensions allow components to be manufactured to the required size.
Dimensions may identify:
- Overall lengths
- Widths
- Heights
- Plate sizes
- Hole centres
- Angles
- Component positions
- Connection locations
Clear dimensioning is particularly important when components need to fit together during assembly.
Steel Sections and Materials
Drawings can identify the sections and materials required for each component.
Depending on the project, this might include:
- Universal beams
- Universal columns
- Channels
- Angles
- Hollow sections
- Flat bar
- Plates
- Bespoke components
Material specifications should be based on the project's engineering and fabrication requirements.
Connections
Steelwork often involves numerous connections between individual components.
Fabrication drawings can communicate the required connection information, including details such as:
- Bolted connections
- Welded connections
- Plates
- Brackets
- Cleats
- Stiffeners
- Connection components
The drawing should make the intended connection clear to the person manufacturing and assembling the steelwork.
Holes and Fixings
Where holes are required for bolts or other fixings, their locations and sizes need to be accurately communicated.
A small error in hole positioning can create problems during assembly, which is why accurate detailing is important.
Weld Information
Where welding is part of the fabrication process, drawings can communicate the relevant welding requirements.
The exact information required will depend on the project, specification and applicable standards.
Why Are Accurate Fabrication Drawings Important?
Fabrication drawings form an important link between design and manufacture.
A well-produced drawing package can help the fabrication team understand exactly what needs to be produced and how the individual components relate to one another.
1. They improve communication
A detailed drawing provides a common reference for designers, fabricators, contractors and installation teams.
2. They support accurate manufacturing
Clear dimensions and component information help the workshop manufacture steelwork to the required design.
3. They help with assembly
When multiple components need to fit together, accurate information about their positions and connections is essential.
4. They help identify problems earlier
Developing steelwork in 3D can help identify potential clashes or inconsistencies before components reach the fabrication stage.
5. They provide project documentation
A properly organised drawing package provides a useful record of the steelwork design and detailing information.
How 3D Modelling Can Improve Steel Detailing
Modern steel detailing often begins with a 3D model.
Instead of producing every drawing independently, the steelwork can first be developed as a coordinated digital model.
This allows the detailer to see how the different components interact.
For example, a model of a steel staircase can include:
- Stringers
- Landings
- Supporting steelwork
- Plates
- Brackets
- Connections
- Handrails
- Balustrades
The model can then be used to generate appropriate drawings and other project information.
At New Architectural Design Services, we use Autodesk Advance Steel for 3D steel modelling and detailing where appropriate to the project.
What Is Autodesk Advance Steel?
Autodesk Advance Steel is a 3D modelling and detailing software package developed for structural steelwork.
It can be used to create detailed steel models and produce associated documentation for fabrication and construction.
A typical workflow can involve:
Project information → 3D model → detailing → drawing production → fabrication
The advantage of working from a coordinated 3D model is that changes made during the design process can be reflected across associated project documentation, subject to appropriate checking and project procedures.
What Types of Projects Require Fabrication Drawings?
Fabrication drawings can be used for many different types of steelwork and architectural metalwork.
Examples include:
Steel Staircases
Detailed drawings can communicate the components and connections required to manufacture bespoke steel stairs.
Structural Steelwork
Steel beams, columns, frames and associated components can be detailed for fabrication and assembly.
Balustrades & Handrails
Architectural metalwork often requires accurate dimensions and detailed component information.
Feature Metalwork
Bespoke architectural features can benefit from detailed 3D modelling and fabrication information.
Bespoke Steel Components
Individual fabricated components can be modelled and detailed according to the requirements of the project.
From 3D Model to Fabrication Drawings
A typical detailing process might look like this:
01 — Review the Project Information
The available architectural drawings, structural information, specifications and other project documents are reviewed.
02 — Develop the 3D Model
The steelwork or architectural metalwork is modelled in three dimensions.
03 — Coordinate the Design
Components, connections and interfaces are reviewed within the model.
04 — Produce Detailed Drawings
The required GA, assembly and fabrication drawings are generated from the detailed model.
05 — Review & Issue
The drawings are checked against the project requirements before being issued for the relevant stage of the project.
Who Uses Steel Fabrication Drawings?
Fabrication drawings can be valuable to several people involved in a steelwork project.
Steel Fabricators use them to manufacture components in the workshop.
Contractors can use them to coordinate steelwork packages and installation.
Architects & Designers can use detailed models and drawings to communicate design intent.
Installation Teams can use assembly information to understand how components fit together.
The exact responsibilities of each party depend on the project and contract.
What Do You Need to Provide for a Steel Detailing Project?
The information required will vary from project to project.
Useful information may include:
- Architectural drawings
- Structural drawings
- Engineer's information
- Site dimensions
- Design specifications
- Material requirements
- Existing drawings
- Sketches
- Project standards
- Details of the required deliverables
If some information is not yet available, it is worth discussing the project requirements before work begins so that any missing information can be identified.
Steel Fabrication Drawings for Your Project
New Architectural Design Services provides 3D steel modelling, steel detailing and fabrication drawing services for steelwork and architectural metalwork projects.
Our services can include:
- 3D steel modelling
- General arrangement drawings
- Fabrication drawings
- Assembly drawings
- Single-part drawings
- Connection details
- Steel staircase detailing
- Balustrade and handrail detailing
- Architectural metalwork
- Advance Steel detailing
- 3D visualisation
We can work from architectural drawings, structural information, sketches or existing project documentation, depending on the requirements of the project.
Need Steel Fabrication Drawings?
If you have a steelwork, staircase, balustrade or architectural metalwork project that requires detailed 3D modelling and fabrication drawings, get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Telephone: 07879770399
Email: info@new-architectural-design-services.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fabrication drawings the same as engineering drawings?
No. Fabrication drawings communicate detailed manufacturing information, while engineering calculations and design documents deal with structural design requirements. The responsibilities for design, engineering and detailing should be clearly established for each project.
Can fabrication drawings be produced from a 3D model?
Yes. A detailed 3D steel model can be used to produce various types of drawings, depending on the software, project requirements and agreed deliverables.
Can you produce steel staircase fabrication drawings?
Yes. Bespoke steel staircases can be modelled in 3D and detailed drawings can be produced for the relevant components and assemblies.
What software do you use?
New Architectural Design Services uses Autodesk Advance Steel for 3D steel modelling and detailing where appropriate.
Do fabrication drawings need to be checked?
Yes. Drawings should be reviewed against the project requirements and relevant design information before manufacture. The required checking and approval procedures depend on the project.
Need Help With Steel Detailing?
From a single bespoke staircase to a larger steelwork package, accurate modelling and detailing can provide the information needed to move a project towards fabrication.
3D Modelling • Steel Detailing • Fabrication Drawings • Staircases • Balustrades • Architectural Metalwork