The construction industry has evolved significantly with many new and improved methods such as structural steel fabrication. This process, along with welding, is demanding and you should only consult experienced fabricators as it requires expert knowledge, skills and resources.

For a successful project, from manufacturing structural steel beams and steel balustrades to components and equipment, every good fabricator should follow a specific process. A less experienced company may not be able to perform the necessary tasks which could compromise product viability.

Structural steel fabrication is a complex process that only a few companies are capable of and PRV Engineering is one of them. Being fully certified (BS EN1090-1:2009 +A1:2011), PRV offers first-class structural steel fabrication and concreting service.

Structural Steel Fabrication At PRV Engineering

With more than 20 years supplying industry-leading steel fabrication services in construction, PRV Engineering can manage your project from start to finish. Considering that structural steel fabrication involves cutting, shaping or moulding metals, you are in good hands. Some of the benefits when using PRV include the following:

• You don’t have to choose between limited standard-sized fabrication templates
• We Tailor the design to your exact requirements
• There is a much closer control over project costs and completion deadlines
• You can choose preferred specialist contractors
• Never pay lead contractors’ mark-ups on services that they sub-contract

Some of our projects include manufacturing and installing steel balustrades, steel staircases, handrails, steel fire escapes, steel framework and balconies among others.

Benefits Of Structural Steel Fabrication In Construction

Many industries rely on steel products and fabrication services for their exceptional quality, reliability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Here are a few of the standout benefits:

• Structurally sound and manufactured to strict specifications and tolerances
• Energy-efficient and any excess material is 100% recyclable
• Steel does not warp, buckle, twist or bend and is easy to mould
• Allows for improved quality of construction and less maintenance
• Steel structures can be built much faster since the components are fabricated offsite and delivered partly assembled
• Buildings can also be used immediately as it does not require setting and curing
• It is more cost-effective as construction time is considerably shorter (almost halved)
• Big savings on waste management as the framework is fabricated to exact specifications
• Due to the relatively lightweight of steel frames, you spend less the foundation

What Happens During The Fabrication Process?

Structural steel is used in all types of construction and has been for some time. It is one of the most popular choices for many builders, engineers, contractors and steel fabricators.

The fabrication process requires special tools like lasers, punches, saws, notches and machines to cut and drill the steel beams to spec. The advanced structural steel fabrication equipment can really help produce top quality results at a much faster speed.

Once each piece has been cut and drilled, it is etched with a unique part number and plate location. This makes on-site assembly much easier, faster and more accurate while minimising expensive and time-consuming project delays.

In some case, industrial assemblies need a certain finish to meet regulations and specific compliance codes. If you request a specific finish whether it’s painting, powder coating or sandblasting, this will be the last step in the process.

Surface Preparation

Preparing the surface and applying the right finish is more than just aesthetics as it. The main reasons for these processes are preventing corrosion or improving conductivity. The right equipment in some cases can also result in much faster preparation and waterjet cutting is a prime example. In most cases, the improved cutting widths and directions along with the cold cutting ability mean you don’t need secondary processing.

By surface preparation, we also refer to shot blasting and specialist coatings to provide a professional finish. In addition to the construction sector, many other industries working with metal also use shot blasting including aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding and rail. You can find a more in-depth explanation in our comprehensive article, ‘Shot Blasting: Surface Preparation And Specialist Coatings’.

Coating And Finishing Services

When additional finishing is required, preparing the material (smoothing and polishing) is just as important as the choice of coating. At PRV Engineering, we have our own in-house finishing department consisting of a 6-metre Shot Blast room, various Shot Blast cabinets, Powder Coating booth, Wet Paint spray room and a 2.2-metre cubic High Bake Oven.

Our state-of-the-art facility provides all types of standard coatings and specialist coatings for additional insulative or conductive properties as part of our Busbar manufacturing services. These are applied by fluid bath, electrostatic spray or by simple heat shrink processes. It allows us to provide all of our clients with the highest quality painted finish to very exacting standards.

Need Help With Your Fabrication Project?

PRV Engineering is vastly experienced in structural steel fabrication, architectural steelwork and groundworks. We offer a complete service from the design and structural details to the manufacture and installation, groundworks, amenities and electrical Installations. All materials are manufactured and CE marked to BSEN 1090 – Ex3.

If you need help fabricating a complex product with challenging requirements, get in touch with our team of experts. Because of our diverse range of services and skills, we can often manufacture to very unique requirements, whether it’s a one-off or a large batch order. For more interesting stories on engineering, manufacturing and technology, please follow our blog or chat with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.