Helpful Site Preparation Strategies

A steel construction project should be performed within a controlled environment. The guidelines below outline some site preparation strategies that will assist with safely and accurately constructing a steel building.

Assessment

The contractor who oversees your project must ensure that the land is ready to be built upon. Concrete piers, footings, walls, and additional materials that are installed at ground level must be stabilized. They must be able to support the weight of steel beams and other materials that will be used during the rest of the construction project.

Once the contractor has deemed the land safe and ready, they can contact the foreman who will be overseeing the steel erection processes. 

Access

Since steel components are bulky and heavy, special equipment and vehicles will be used to transport these materials to your worksite.

Plenty of room must be supplied for transport vehicles to access the land leading to the actual worksite. This may necessitate the widening of entry points and the installation of barriers and signs that will direct transport operators and keep them safe.

The access plan should be documented before the steel project commences. Viewing the preliminary steps with your team of workers will ensure that everyone is on board with each of the duties they have been assigned.

After the access points have been prepared, it will be critical to maintain them. This will support the safe transport of steel materials and machinery from the beginning of the erection project until its completion.

Material Storage

Structural steel should be stored within a covered building. The building will keep the steel materials clean, plus will prevent the theft of expensive building materials.

Before the first delivery of steel is transported to your worksite, consult with your supplier. Your supplier should be aware of the exact location of the storage building. This will allow them to properly dispatch loads to your worksite.

The storage facility should be within close proximity to where the steel structure will be erected. It should not, however, be located too close to where cranes, machinery, and pedestrians will be actively working. The location of the storage facility is critical in safely and seamlessly unloading materials as they are brought to the worksite.

Assigning workers to oversee the proper unloading and storage of transported materials will help you keep all of the structural materials accounted for throughout the construction process.

Equipment Acquisition

Your building project may require the use of a series of cranes and other types of machinery. A local supplier who rents out cranes will feature models that you can review in advance. Securing licensed operators for the equipment that you rent will prevent any mishaps or safety concerns during each of the steel erection processes.

Upon securing the equipment and operational crew who will be overseeing the use of the equipment, review the rental terms that your supplier has furnished you with. These terms will outline your rental period, maintenance and repair essentials, and other important details that relate to the safe use of the equipment while it is at your disposal. 

Meetings

Scheduling meetings with the people who are directly tied to your project will allow concerns and other critical information to be discussed. Prepare a schedule before the steel erection processes begin. This will give everyone ample notice of when and where each meeting will be held.

Additional Information

Now that you have reviewed some basic preparation strategies that you can use during an upcoming project, you may want to reach out to a local structural steel supplier. Contact Sentry Steel Service Company to receive an overview of the materials and services that will support your project.