One of the reasons many of our Engineering clients have chosen to work with Anatomic Iron Steel Detailing is because of our design-detailing process and the benefits it provides. While the traditional detailing model will get results, those results take time. With our design-detailing process of developing the steel model, the amount of time it takes to move from the design phase to the final erection is significantly less. This is possible due to two major factors in our design-detailing process.
Design-Detailing Begins Earlier than Traditional Detailing
In the traditional detailing model, the steel detailing contract is held by the fabricator while the steel design contract is held by the engineer of record. Because the detailer works for the fabricator, they cannot begin the detailing process until the design is at least 90% complete. The shop and erection drawings are created from the engineer’s design set. Typically, the fabricator is awarded the contract two weeks after the design phase reaches 90%. Then we come in and begin working on the detailing. This can take five weeks or longer due to questions or the need for more information.
With design-detailing, however, the engineer of record holds both the detailing and the design contract. We work directly for them, which means we don’t have to wait for the fabricator to be chosen in order to begin working. We can begin the detailing process when the design is 40% complete. This allows the fabrication process to begin quicker because the detailing phase and the design phase occur simultaneously. There is no separate detailing phase, eliminating those five weeks spent on detailing in the traditional approach.
The Communication Process Is Simple and Direct
Because the engineer of record holds both contracts, we are able to work directly with them. This allows us to resolve issues much quicker because we do not have to create RFIs and send them through the fabricator and general contractor. We resolve questions directly with the EOR often without even creating a formal RFI. Thus we eliminate the delays caused by the traditional emailed RFI process and the risks that come from a breakdown in communication. For example, RFIs are not lost or stuck in an email inbox while waiting to be actioned.
Overall Time Savings
By beginning the detailing phase early in the project and working directly with the engineer of record to resolve issues that would become RFIs, we can reduce the amount of time the project takes to go from the design phase to completion. Instead of there being potentially eight weeks or more between the fabricator receiving the contract and the start of fabrication, there’s only about one week since we already have an approved for fabrication model ready to go. All we need to do is generate fabrication drawings to the fabricators settings which we do during this one week after award of the fabricator. This one week also provides time for the architect to review the approved model and the drawings and for the fabricator to prepare their equipment and personnel for fabrication.
This cuts down the overall time between the design phase and the completion of a typical project from about 17 weeks to 10 weeks or less. That’s a reduction of more than 40%, a very significant saving in time. Saving time equates to saving money.
If you want to learn more about our design-detailing process or how Anatomic Iron Steel Detailing can help with your next project, please contact us today.