Foreign Steel
Foreign Steel
(OP)
I have a client who has located some "mystery" steel from Costa Rica. He wants to use it here in the States.
Other than the obvious size, condition and steel grade, what else would be a red flag from a specifiers point of view?
The fabrication Shop certification?
The first concern I have is quality control of fabrication.....is it fabricated in someones garage? Did it come from a legit steel shop?
Any input would be appreciated.
Other than the obvious size, condition and steel grade, what else would be a red flag from a specifiers point of view?
The fabrication Shop certification?
The first concern I have is quality control of fabrication.....is it fabricated in someones garage? Did it come from a legit steel shop?
Any input would be appreciated.






RE: Foreign Steel
One way to be avoiding all this is (of course) working with a reputable contractor to start with. (If at all possible.)
RE: Foreign Steel
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The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.
RE: Foreign Steel
When I've been concerned about it, we required everything to be done in an AISC-certified shop. We also bumped up inspection requirements to actually look at some things (e.g. shop welds) that we normally would not do for steel from an AISC-certified shop.
We also did our own material testing. We told the steel provider up front that we were doing it so they knew it was coming. But we didn't ask them for test coupons because any coupon we get will almost certainly pass, there's no mystery what it's for. We took our own coupons from the pieces they shipped instead and didn't tell them where the coupons were coming from. For some of the larger pieces we'd take a coupon from somewhere that wasn't critical for strength or aesthetics and then field-welded on a repair. For repetitive pieces where we'd need say 50 of the same piece, we'd have the GC order 51 instead. Then we'd have someone not involved in the construction or technical side of the project (accountant, receptionist, food delivery person) go out to the yard and pick their favorite of the 51 to go get tested.
RE: Foreign Steel
RE: Foreign Steel
The title mentions foreign steel.
The "foreign" isn't an issue- that's done all the time. The "mystery metal", ie, lack of certs or stamping, is.
In years past, I've had suppliers offer "commercial quality" steel, and they weren't able to tell me a spec that it was made to, which is kind of a red flag if it's application that matters. I suppose they use that stuff for trailers or something.
RE: Foreign Steel
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RE: Foreign Steel