REVISION

December 1998

Process Industry Practices

Structural

PIP STS05130
Erection of Structural and
Miscellaneous Steel Specification
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these
technical requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and
engineering costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While
this Practice is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users,
individual applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take
precedence over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and
particular matters or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering
situations should not be made solely on information contained in these materials. The
use of trade names from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of
preference but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the
same specifications are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All
practices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and
regulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these practices or guidelines
should conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or
regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional before applying or
acting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute,

The University of Texas at Austin, 3208 Red River Street, Suite 300,
Austin, Texas 78705. PIP member companies may copy this practice
for their internal use.

11/94 Issued
12/98 Revision
Not printed with State funds.

Process Industry Practices
Structural
PIP STS05130
Erection of Structural and
Miscellaneous Steel Specification
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ..................................2
1.1 Purpose ................................................2
1.2 Scope ...................................................2
2. References....................................2
2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP) .........2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards.............2
2.3 Government Regulations .....................3
3. Definitions.....................................3
4. General..........................................3
4.1 Quality Control......................................3
4.2 Submittals ............................................4
4.3 Performance Requirements .................5
5. Products and Materials................6
Process Industry Practices
REVISION
December 1998
6. Execution...................................... 6
6.1 Receiving, Inspection and Storage ....6
6.2 Erection ..............................................6
6.3 Structural Stability ..............................7
6.4 Setting Base Plates ............................7
6.5 Bolted Connections ............................7
6.6 Welded Connections ..........................8
6.7 Correction of Errors............................8
6.8 Steel Joists .........................................9
6.9 Floor Plate and Grating ......................9
6.10 Metal Decking for Floors and Roofs...9
6.11 Shear Connectors ..............................9
6.12 Coating Repairs ...............................10
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PIP STS05130 REVISION
Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification December 1998

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Practice is to provide the structural steel erector with a
specification with steel erection requirements for the process industry.

1.2 Scope
This Practice describes the requirements for the receipt, handling, erection,
assembly, and field inspection of structural and miscellaneous steel.
Any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Practice, shop drawings, erection
drawings, or other Contract Documents shall be brought to the attention of Buyer for
resolution.

2. References
When adopted in this Practice or in the Contract Documents, the latest edition of the
following codes, standards, specifications, and references in effect on the date of contract
award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein when
appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

– PIP STS03600 - Cementitious Grout Specification
– PIP STS03601 - Epoxy Grout Specification
– PIP STS05120 - Fabrication of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel
Specification

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
– AISC Allowable Stress Design (ASD) Specification for Structural Joints
Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts
– AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges
– AISC Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specification for
Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts
– AISC Manual of Steel Construction, Allowable Stress Design (ASD)
– AISC Manual of Steel Construction, Load and Resistance Factor Design
(LRFD): Volume I - Structural Members, Specifications & Codes

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
– ANSI A10.13 - Steel Erection - Safety Requirements

American Welding Society (AWS)
– AWS D1.1 - Structural Welding Code - Steel

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REVISION PIP STS05130
December 1998 Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification

Steel Deck Institute (SDI)

– SDI Design Manual for Composite Decks, Form Decks, Roof Decks and
Cellular Deck Floor Systems with Electrical Distribution

Steel Joist Institute (SJI)
– SJI Standard Specifications and Load Tables

2.3 Government Regulations

US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA)
– OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910
– OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926

3. Definitions
Buyer: The party who awards the contract to Fabricator. Buyer may be the Owner or the
Owner’s authorized agent.

Buyer’s Inspector: The authorized representative of Buyer with authority to act in the
interest of, and on behalf of, Buyer in all quality assurance matters

Contract Documents: Any and all documents that Buyer has transmitted or otherwise
communicated, either by incorporation or reference, and made part of the legal contract
agreement or purchase order between Buyer and Fabricator

Engineer of Record: Buyer’s authorized representative with overall authority and

responsibility for the structural design

Erector: The party responsible for the erection of the structural and miscellaneous steel.
Unless otherwise noted, the term Erector shall apply also to the Erector’s subcontractor(s)
and/or vendor(s).

Erector’s Inspector: The authorized representative of the Erector with responsibility for the
quality control of all materials, installations, and workmanship furnished by the Erector and
any of the Erector’s subcontractors or vendors

Owner: The owner of the proposed structure

4. General

4.1 Quality Control

4.1.1 Erector shall be solely responsible for the quality control of all Erector-
supplied materials, installations, and workmanship.
4.1.2 Erector shall have a written Quality Control Program and Inspection
Procedures document that shall provide details of how compliance with the
requirements of this Practice and the shop and erection drawings shall be

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PIP STS05130 REVISION
Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification December 1998

achieved. Erector shall maintain a complete up-to-date set of erection

drawings at the job site.
4.1.3 All welding procedures and individual welders shall be qualified in
accordance with the requirements of AWS D1.1.
4.1.4 All welding inspectors shall be qualified and certified as AWS Certified
Welding Inspectors in accordance with the provisions of AWS D1.1.
4.1.5 Erector’s Inspector shall inspect all materials, installations, and
workmanship of Erector to ensure conformance with all requirements of this
Practice and the Contract Documents.
4.1.6 Buyer’s Inspector shall have the right to inspect all materials, installations,
and workmanship supplied by Erector and shall have unrestricted right of
access to Erector’s work areas.
4.1.7 Buyer’s Inspector may reject any improper, inferior, defective, or unsuitable
materials, installations, and workmanship of Erector. Any rejected materials,
installations, and workmanship shall be repaired or replaced by Erector per
Buyer’s instructions at no cost to Buyer.
4.1.8 Erector shall provide all inspection tools and shall provide inspection access
facilities such as platforms, ladders, and scaffolds as requested by Buyer’s
Inspector.
4.1.9 Inspection tools and tool calibration records for tools used by Erector shall
be maintained and available for examination by Buyer’s Inspector.

4.2 Submittals
4.2.1 Erector shall submit the following documents to Buyer for review prior to
the start of erection:
a. Safety Program
b. Quality Control Program and Inspection Procedures
c. Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)
d. Procedure Qualification Records (PQR)
e. Welder(s) qualification records
f. Assembly Lift Plan(s) if required
4.2.2 If requested by Buyer, Erector shall submit the following documents to
Buyer for records purposes:
a. Quality Control inspections and test results
b. Calibration or recalibration performed on the tools or equipment used
by Erector during the work

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REVISION PIP STS05130
December 1998 Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification

4.3 Performance Requirements

4.3.1 Safety
4.3.1.1 The Safety Program shall address the safety measures that Erector
shall use during steel erection work. The Safety Program shall
comply with the requirements of the Contract Documents, AISC
ASD Manual of Steel Construction, AISC Code of Standard
Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges, AISC LRFD Manual of
Steel Construction, applicable portions of OSHA 29 CFR Part
1910 and Part 1926, and any other applicable federal, state, or
local requirements.
4.3.1.2 Erector’s Safety Program shall provide a detailed description of
how Erector will prevent injury to all personnel affected by
Erector’s operations. The Safety Program shall include an
effective system for initial orientation and education in safety and
accident prevention, as well as appropriate records to document
compliance. As a minimum, the Safety Program shall place
particular emphasis on the following aspects:
a. Fall prevention
b. Ground level pre-assembly to minimize elevated erection
c. Hole covers and opening barriers
d. Access control to incomplete areas of erection
e. Lifting plans and hoisting procedures
4.3.2 Assembly Lift Plan
Erector is responsible for assuring that all pre-assemblies not specifically
shown or noted on the design drawings to be pre-assembled prior to lifting
will maintain structural integrity during lifting.
4.3.2.1 A written Assembly Lift Plan shall be prepared for assemblies
larger than 50 feet (15 meters) in one direction, larger than 2000
square feet (186 square meters) in plan area, greater than 50 tons,
or when required by the Contract Documents. The Assembly Lift
Plan shall demonstrate that the proposed lift shall be performed
safely and that the assemblies being lifted will remain free from
distortion or undue bending, and will maintain structural integrity
during the lift.
4.3.2.2 The Assembly Lift Plan shall contain detailed data on the extent of
the lifted assembly, its weights, the structural calculations that
prove structural stability of the assembled components during
lifting operations, verification of the capacity capabilities for any
cranes utilized in the lift, location and positioning of the cranes,
and a description of the rigging to be utilized.
4.3.2.3 Review of the Assembly Lift Plan by Buyer does not relieve
Erector of responsibility required for the safe erection and/or

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PIP STS05130 REVISION
Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification December 1998

lifting of any component, structural assembly, or any other item

under the control of Erector.

5. Products and Materials

All materials supplied by Erector shall conform to PIP STS05120 unless otherwise specified
by the Contract Documents.

6. Execution

6.1 Receiving, Inspection and Storage

6.1.1 All materials designated for the care, custody, and control of Erector shall be
received, unloaded, stored, and otherwise handled in a manner that will
prevent distortion, deterioration, damage, or staining. Materials shall be kept
free of dirt, grease, and other foreign matter.
6.1.2 Unless otherwise required by Buyer, all materials shall be inspected by
Erector immediately after receipt to ensure that the materials are not
damaged, that all items on the packing list have been supplied, and that all
documentation has been received.
6.1.3 If any damage is discovered, or any parts, components, or documentation are
missing or otherwise defective, the occurrence shall be immediately reported
to Buyer in writing.

6.2 Erection
6.2.1 Erection shall be in accordance with the drawings and other Contract
Documents, the AISC ASD Manual of Steel Construction, the AISC LRFD
Manual of Steel Construction, the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel
Buildings and Bridges, OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910 and Part 1926, and any
applicable state, municipal, or local regulations or codes.
6.2.2 Any circumstances discovered by Erector which affect progression,
performance, or completion of Erector’s work activities such as
discrepancies between the erection/shop drawings and the delivered steel
members, incorrectly fabricated steel members, or incomplete or
unacceptable work of other contractors affecting Erector’s work shall be
immediately reported to Buyer in writing.
6.2.3 Any damage caused during erection shall be reported to Buyer. Corrective
measures shall be completed as directed by Buyer at no cost to Buyer.
6.2.4 Erection of steel joists shall conform to the requirements of the Steel Joist
Institute (SJI) and the joist manufacturer.
6.2.5 Temporary erection loads or permanent loads shall not be placed on any
incomplete portions of the structure being erected unless Erector can
demonstrate by analysis that the contemplated action is safe.

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REVISION PIP STS05130
December 1998 Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification

6.2.6 Loose timbers, metal sheeting, bolt buckles, tools, debris, and temporary
scaffolding shall be kept restrained or removed from work areas. Erector
shall be responsible for securing all equipment and materials within
Erector’s care, custody, and control during the erection operation.
6.2.7 Erector shall maintain the job site in clean and safe condition at all times and
shall properly dispose of, off premises, all crating, waste materials, and other
refuse which has accumulated as a result of Erector’s activities under this
Practice.
6.2.8 Lifting of painted structural members shall be done with a non-abrasive
choker.
6.2.9 Erector shall keep a daily record, by piece number, of all material erected.
6.2.10 Before commencing work, Erector shall check foundations and other
connection points to confirm their location, orientation, elevation, and
condition.
6.2.11 Erection of steel deck shall conform to the requirements of the Steel Deck
Institute (SDI) and the deck manufacturer.

6.3 Structural Stability

6.3.1 Erector shall, at all times, be responsible for the adequacy and installation of
any temporary bracing or guy cables required to counteract loadings imposed
during erection. This responsibility shall also extend to temporary bracing
required to ensure safe and stable conditions of partially completed
structural assemblies.
6.3.2 The structure shall be plumbed, leveled, and braced before any final bolted
or welded connections are made.

6.4 Setting Base Plates

6.4.1 Erector shall clean the top of bearing surfaces and the bottom of base plates.
Erector shall set and shim column base plates to correct positions,
elevations, and locations as shown on the erection drawings. Shims or
wedges may be used and shall be provided by Erector. If setting nuts are
used, they shall be loosened prior to grouting.
6.4.2 Grouting of base plates shall be in accordance with PIP STS03600 or
PIP STS03601 and other Contract Documents if this work is included in
Erector’s contract.
6.4.3 When required on the drawings, anchor bolts shall be tightened to the
specified tension. Anchor bolts shall be fully tightened to the specified
tension only after the base plates have been grouted.

6.5 Bolted Connections

6.5.1 Where structural joints are made using high-strength bolt assemblies, the
materials, methods of installation, tension control, types of wrenches to be
used, and inspection methods shall conform to the AISC ASD Specification
for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 Bolts or A490 Bolts, the AISC

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PIP STS05130 REVISION
Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification December 1998

LRFD Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 Bolts or A490
Bolts, and the Contract Documents.
6.5.2 When used, direct tension indicator washers shall be installed according to
the manufacturer’s published specifications.
6.5.3 All bolts shall be as noted on the shop drawings, erection drawings, or other
Contract Documents.
6.5.4 Mechanically galvanized bolts and nuts shall not be intermixed with hot-dip
galvanized nuts and bolts.
6.5.5 Where ASTM A307 bolt assemblies are used for connecting appurtenances
(i.e., handrail assemblies, pipe supports, gates, etc.) to structural steel
members, the bolts shall be tightened to snug tight condition.
6.5.6 ASTM A490/A490M bolts and galvanized ASTM A325/A325M bolts shall
not be reused.
6.5.7 Erector shall color code, die punch, or otherwise mark the ends of torqued
bolts indicating that the bolts have been properly tensioned and are ready for
inspection.

6.6 Welded Connections

6.6.1 Welding shall conform to AWS D1.1.
6.6.2 All welds shall be continuous unless alternate procedures are approved by
Buyer.
6.6.3 Field welding shall not be used except as shown on the shop drawings or
erection drawings.
6.6.4 Minimum fillet weld size shall be 3/16 inch (5 mm) for structural welds.
Seal welds may be 1/8-inch (3 mm) minimum fillet weld.
6.6.5 Welds to connection plates embedded in concrete shall be deposited in a
sequence which will minimize distortion of the embedment to + 1/8 inch
(3 mm) of flat or true.
6.6.6 When the Contract Documents require welding to existing facilities that
were constructed prior to 1963 and/or using steel other than ASTM A36, a
welding procedure will be provided by Engineer of Record.

6.7 Correction of Errors

6.7.1 Fit-up bolts and drift pins shall not be used to bring improperly fabricated
members and parts into place (springing). Drift pins shall not be driven with
such force as to injure adjacent metal areas.
6.7.2 When approved by Engineer of Record, Erector may enlarge standard holes
by 1/16 inch (1 mm) when necessary to make connections resulting from
minor misfit. Holes in connections that misfit by more than 1/16 inch
(1 mm) shall be corrected as directed by Engineer of Record.
6.7.3 Enlargement of holes shall be by reaming or drilling only. Flame cutting,
burning, gouging, chipping, or drift punching shall not be permitted.

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REVISION PIP STS05130
December 1998 Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification

6.7.4 No packing, shimming, filling, or wedging shall be permitted to correct

faulty work unless approved by Engineer of Record.
6.7.5 One (1) filler plate up to 1/8 inch (3 mm) thickness may be used as required
in spaces between members to be bolted. Engineer of Record’s approval
shall be required for filler plate requirements greater than 1/8 inch (3 mm).

6.8 Steel Joists

6.8.1 Field welding of bolting joists to supporting steel framework shall be in
accordance with the SJI specifications for the type of joist used, the
erection/shop drawings, and other Contract Documents.
6.8.2 Erector shall make no modifications or repairs to steel joists without prior
written approval of Engineer of Record.
6.8.3 Use of power driven or powder actuated fasteners in the diagonal and bottom
chord members of the joists is not permitted.

6.9 Floor Plate and Grating

6.9.1 All field cut floor plate or grating openings requiring toe plate protection or
banding shall be installed as required on the design drawings or other
Contract Documents.
6.9.2 Erector shall fasten grating and floor plate as specified on the design
drawings. A minimum of four (4) fasteners per panel shall be used.

6.10 Metal Decking for Floors and Roofs

6.10.1 Floor and roof deck sheets shall be installed in accordance with the
manufacturer’s installation instructions and the Contract Documents.
6.10.2 All sags, deformations, holes, and other irregularities shall be repaired by
Erector.
6.10.3 Where damage has occurred to shop-applied coatings on metal deck, field
touch-up shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

6.11 Shear Connectors

6.11.1 All shear stud attachments shall be welded in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations for welding procedure and welding
equipment.
6.11.2 When two or more stud welding guns are operated from the same power
source, Erector shall interlock the guns so that only one gun can be operated
at a time to ensure that the power source has fully recovered from making
one weld before another weld is started.
6.11.3 All ceramic insulators shall be removed from the base of the studs after
welding.

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PIP STS05130 REVISION
Erection of Structural and Miscellaneous Steel Specification December 1998

6.12 Coating Repairs

6.12.1 All erection damage to hot-dip galvanized coatings shall be repaired by
Erector in accordance with PIP STS05120.
6.12.2 All erection damage to shop-applied paint coatings shall be repaired in
accordance with Buyer’s coating specification. All galvanized bolt
assemblies tightened against shop-applied paint shall be painted.

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