Project scope

Another regular customer needed structural steel for a large home extension. This home extension project was based in Hertfordshire. At MAH Steel, we are steel fabricators from Kent, but we work throughout the whole South East England, including Hertfordshire. For example, take a look at that smaller home extension project at Hertford.

The importance of drawings in steel fabrication projects

So, they placed an order. Steel fabricators like us use CAD software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks to draft detailed drawings based on client specifications, incorporating dimensions, materials, weld symbols, and assembly instructions. Sometimes we even work with our customers literally from scratch. After internal review and client approval, these drawings serve as blueprints for fabrication, guiding the steel cutting, welding, and assembly processes. Quality control measures are implemented throughout fabrication, and documentation including material certifications and inspection reports may be provided to the client upon completion. CAD software like AutoCAD or Tekla Structures is specifically tailored for engineering and design applications within steel fabrication, focusing on precision, measurements, and technical details essential for creating detailed structural drawings and blueprints. CAD software in steel fabrication includes specialised tools for detailing connections, specifying materials, and generating fabrication drawings, facilitating efficient manufacturing processes and ensuring structural integrity.

After drawing the plan, we booked steel materials from our trusted steel supplier. They arrived swiftly – only 5 days after the initial order. Partnering with a steel supplier can indeed offer advantages in terms of speed and quality in steel fabrication projects. By collaborating with a reliable supplier, we gain access to a ready source of high-quality materials. It streamlines the fabrication process and ensure consistency in product quality. Additionally, established supplier relationships often come with logistical benefits, such as efficient delivery schedules and reduced lead times, enabling faster project completion. We always say that because we use a reliable steel supplier, we can guarantee speed and quality to all our steel fabrication projects. This one wasn’t an exception.

Steel fabrication in Hertfordshire 

So, we chose the appropriate type of steel for this home extension from our large stock.

We transported it for cutting. Our team checked the steels off against the cutting list and then sawn them to the precise lengths.

Fabrication was the next stage. We moved the steels to the fabrication area, where our fabrication team checked them to ensure the they had been cut at the correct length. After that the actual fabrication process started. All fabrication was undertaken exactly to the confirmed drawings by coded fabricators.

Fabricated steel was then checked by our in-house QA team, to ensure accuracy to the requirement.

After that, our certified welders fully welded the steel sections together to specification. After that, they underwent the steel drilling process. Our in-house QA team checked them to ensure that holes, plates and fabrication specifications were adhered correctly and lined up properly.

Then the team performed steel blasting and painting process. In this case, it was zinc phosphate primer. We paint the steels using the correct thickness of paint in microns. After all, we hang them in the yard to dry.

More QA checking! The QA and loading teams checked the final steel product again. They had to make sure that all steels were correct to the specific instructions. At the end we added bolts, steel to steel fixings, packing plates, nuts and washers. Finally, the job was completed, and the steel was ready for loading and delivery.

Steel Delivery and Installation

Our fleet of lorries, equipped with advanced large cranes, ensures the efficient transportation of steel materials to our clients’ sites. We have a wide range of lorry cranes to provide support for your projects covering 15, 22 and 2 x 30 metre reach. We tailor our services meticulously to cater to the unique demands of each project.

So, in this case the steel was loaded on to our 30 metre hiab with our driver checking the loads, ready for another 5am start.

We delivered the fabricated steel to site and placed where the customer needed it, right over the back of the house!

Another job well done for all involved!