The Pre-Release Drawing Checklist
- EOR stamp confirmed — 'Approved' or 'Approved as Noted' (never 'Revise and Resubmit')
- Revision verified — the revision in the title block matches the revision in the drawing register
- Superseded sheets removed — any prior revision of the same drawing pulled from active use
- CNC file revision confirmed — the NC file on the CNC machine matches the current drawing revision
- BOM quantities reconciled — the bill of material counts match the drawing set member count
- Long-lead material confirmed ordered — pieces that require extended lead time have purchase orders in place
- Piece mark uniqueness verified — no duplicate marks for different members (a common model error)
The Superseded Drawing Problem
Superseded drawings on the shop floor are the single most preventable source of fabrication rework in steel production. A drawing stamped Rev A that was revised to Rev B may still be sitting in a binder on the floor weeks after Rev B was issued. Implement a physical control system: when a new revision is issued, the shop office physically collects and destroys or archives the prior revision before distributing the new one. Digital drawing systems with version locking are more reliable but require consistent use.
CNC File and Drawing Synchronization
CNC files and their associated drawings must always be at the same revision. If the drawing is updated but the CNCFile is not regenerated and re-issued, the machine will cut holes from the old pattern. Establish a protocol that links CNC file releases directly to drawing releases — each package includes both the drawing PDF and the corresponding NC file folder, labeled with the same revision identifier.
Verifying Material Specifications Against the Project Spec
Before releasing drawings to the floor, the shop PM should confirm that every material specification called out on the drawings matches the project's Division 05 structural steel specification. The most common mismatch: plates defaulting to A36 in Tekla Structures when the project specification requires A572 Grade 50 throughout. A second common issue is HSS members specified as ASTM A500 Grade C on the drawings when the spec requires ASTM A1085 for seismic applications per AISC 341. These discrepancies are not always caught during EOR review — the fabricator's pre-release check is the last line of defense before wrong-grade material is ordered and cut.
Connection Design Completeness Check
For projects with delegated connection design, verify before floor release that every connection on the drawing set has been fully designed and that the PE-stamped connection calculations are on file. Releasing drawings for members whose connections are marked 'TBD' or 'per EOR' without resolution creates a fabrication hold mid-production — the shop may cut and drill the member but cannot assemble the connection. Check the following before release:
- All moment connections have PE-stamped calculations referencing AISC 360 Chapter J and AISC 358 if seismic
- All base plates have anchor bolt hole patterns confirmed against the foundation drawings
- All braced frame gusset plates have axial load and buckling check documented
- Any non-standard connections have been explicitly approved by the EOR in writing
- Snug-tight vs. pretensioned vs. slip-critical bolt installation is specified for every bolt group
Cross-Checking Tekla Model Against Released Drawings
In Tekla Structures, a final model-to-drawing consistency check should be run before every drawing release package. Tekla flags drawings that are 'not up to date' — meaning the model has changed since the drawing was last frozen. Any drawing marked not-up-to-date must be updated and re-reviewed before release. This check is distinct from the EOR approval check: a drawing can be EOR-approved but not up to date if a model change was made after the approval stamp was applied. Running Tekla's drawing status check takes five minutes per package and prevents the embarrassing situation of issuing approved drawings that no longer match the current model.
Erection Sequence and Priority Zone Verification
The final pre-release check is confirming that the drawing package being released matches the erection sequence the ironworkers are expecting. If the erection plan calls for columns at gridlines A1 through A5 to be set in week one, the release package for that zone must include all column drawings, their base plate details, and the anchor bolt plan for those grid points. Releasing partial packages — column shafts without base plates, beams without column cap plates — creates field holds that stop the iron crew. Review the erection sequence against the package content before issuing, and confirm with the field superintendent that the package covers everything needed to complete the next scheduled erection activity.