Shop Drawing Review

[SteelPE]

When doing shop drawing review, specifically steel shop drawings, do you guys check dimensions or leave that for the architect to verify? Or do you even expect the architect to look at the drawings? I have had some architect say that checking the structural shop drawings is my responsibility. When it comes to dimensions of I am finding that I may note the architect to verify dimensions (say around a stair or a slab opening) only to have the shop drawings come back a month later with the same questions in regards to dimensions I asked the architect to verify.

 

[jayrod12]

However to get back to the original topic at hand (we got off course.... who would've thought that)

I rarely check dimensions on shop drawings. I am checking for general conformance not every detail. If the sizes and locations match the drawings then I leave the dimensions alone unless specifically requested to review them.

 

[JAE]

One aspect of this is not to say NO - never check dimensions or YES always check.

I think my own goal on shop drawing review is to verify communication - not necessarily accuracy. I think spot checking difficult areas, unique areas, etc. - both with dimensions and connections is key.

This is sort of like the analogy of site-visits and the observations vs. inspections issue.
With inspections - you are looking at most everything back-checking the contractor's actual work.
With observations you are spot checking unique areas and perhaps some standard areas to determine whether, in general, the contractor is (and is capable of) understanding your documents.
Two completely different goals and I view shop drawing review as more like verifying communication rather than comprehensive accuracy.

Over the years I've tended toward showing more dimensions on my plans but still adding the caveat that cross-checking between all disciplines is still the job of the contractor.

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[glass99]

I think its fair to say that the caveats that we all have on our shop drawing stamp really do mean something.