Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:36 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Detail structural steel members

Detail structural steel members

Unit of competency
National Code
MSATCS502A
State Code
S7267
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/04/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/06/2013
Field of Education
030707 - Metal Fitting, Turning And MacHining
Original Release Date
14/06/2013
Nominal Hours
70
Description
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to detail structural steel members in steel framed constructions. These members can include beams, girders, columns, trusses, rafters, rakers, tie beams and temporary and permanent braces.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Detail beams
  • 1.1. Location and number of beams are identified from design information
  • 1.2. Beam direction marks are inserted according to industry practice or specific project needs
  • 1.3. Beam dimensions are obtained from design information and inserted into shop drawings
  • 1.4. Beam section designation and cut length are inserted into elevation detail and material list along with any general notes
  • 1.5. Beam levels and beam erection marks and erection clearances are inserted
  • 1.6. Any surface treatment notes are inserted as per design information
2. Detail columns
  • 2.1. Timing and process for detailing of columns is discussed with fabricator to ensure suitability for fabrication schedules
  • 2.2. Column design information is analysed to identify all column connections
  • 2.3. Vertical or horizontal detailing position and viewing direction is elected to suit client requirements and drawing office practice
  • 2.4. Dimensions for columns are inserted from design information
  • 2.5. Sectional views for splices are drawn as per design information
  • 2.6. Plan views for intermediate sections are drawn to illustrate required connections
  • 2.7. Direction and level marks as well as shim and lifting hitches are inserted as required according to design information
3. Detail beam and column splices
  • 3.1. Welded and bolted splices are identified from design information
  • 3.2. Splices to be field welded are identified and checked with fabricator
  • 3.3. Access for welder and electrode is considered for field welded splices
  • 3.4. Column or beam splice is detailed according to design information
4. Detail trusses
  • 4.1. Working points and bevels are established from design information
  • 4.2. Layouts for joints are drawn using appropriate scale
  • 4.3. Opportunities for symmetry and rotation are noted and used in layouts with approval of fabricator
  • 4.4. Trusses are dimensioned including placement of working dimensions, intermediate panel points, other reference points and camber allowances for cambered trusses
  • 4.5. Bolted gussets for node points are set out using design information and fabricator preferences
  • 4.6. Node points for welded trusses are detailed including set back of member ends and landing for welds using design information and fabricator preferences
5. Detail bracing
  • 5.1. Layout and size of bracing are determined from design information
  • 5.2. Setting out points and distances between setting out points are determined
  • 5.3. Braces are detailed including bracing connections, allowances for clearances and draw if any
6. Detail purlins, girts and eaves struts
  • 6.1. Layout and type of purlins, girts and eave struts to be used is determined from design information, manufacturers' catalogues and fabricator preferences
  • 6.2. Bridging for purlins and girts is determined from design information
  • 6.3. Purlins, girts and eaves are detailed consistent with design information
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Legislative/regulatory requirements
All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements
Design information
Design information is the information provided to the detailer and fabricator by the architects and consulting engineers for a project. For some projects the design information may only be provided by an engineer. The design information will usually be in the form of design drawings or sketches but may also be via material lists, written instructions or computer files
Direction marks
Direction marks are indicated on the shop drawings and on the beam or girder by the words 'North' or 'West' as applicable. Industry standard practice is to determine the placement of these marks by viewing and numbering the beams and girders from the bottom or right hand edge of the floor plan. Variations from this practice may occur on specific projects and should be noted on the erection plan
Beam dimensions
Beam dimensions are obtained from design information in conjunction with Design Capacity Tables (see below) and manufacturers' catalogues. Beam dimensions to be inserted into shop drawings should include:
longitudinal dimensions
centre to centre distance between supports
overall length of the beam
overall cut length of the beam
dimensions of holing and other details occurring along the length of the beam. The method of showing hole dimensions may be centre to centre, consecutively from end to end of beam or as running dimensions according to the needs of the fabricator
longitudinal dimensions to groups of holes in the web or flange
vertical dimensions to top most holes for end connection elements
Additional dimensions and symbols may be required for non-proprietary welded plate girders. These dimensions and symbols would be specified by the designer and would normally include web and flange dimensions, web stiffener locations and welding symbols
Working points
Working points for trusses may also be referred to as setting out points or intersection points
Design Capacity Tables
Design Capacity Tables refers to the publication 'Design Capacity Tables for Structural Steel, Volume 1: Open Sections' published by the Australian Steel Institute
Connections
All connections are steel to steel unless specifically noted
Standard connections
Standard connections are those specified in the Australian Steel Institute's publication 'Standardised Structural Connections'
Connection type
Connections may be standard flexible or rigid connections
Flexible connections may include:
angle seats
bearing pads
flexible end plates
angle cleats
web side plates
Rigid connections may include:
fully welded end plates
bolted moment end plates
Standard detailing parameters
Standard detailing parameters are connections suitable to be detailed using the standard bolting and welding specifications contained in the Australian Steel Institute's publication 'Standardised Structural Connections'. These details include:
size of fillet welds
electrode and MIG welding wire specification
bolt type and size
arrangement of holes for bolts
back gauge dimensions and minimum edge distances
distance from beam top to the first row of bolts
detailing parameters for components such as cleat plates, gussets, end plates, base plates and angle plates
Components
Components may include cleat plates, gussets, end plates, base plates and angle plates
Standard welding symbols
Standard welding symbols as described in AS 1101 Part 3
Non-steel connections
Non-steel connections are those between steel members and concrete, timber, glass or plastic or other building or fabricated component required to be shown on a structural steel detail drawing. The connection may be for structural or decorative purposes. An example would be steel supports for a timber deck
Fixings
Fixings may include standard bolts, dynabolts, chemsets, female internal thread tube bolts, and other specialist steel to non-steel fixings
Work environment
Detailing may be undertaken in a variety of work environments including commercial, home office or fabrication or construction enterprise.
Work may be performed individually on a contracting/project basis or as part of a project team and in response to combinations of paper based and electronic instructions.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects of assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:
identify and interpret architect and engineer design specifications for structural steel members and their connections
relate design information to detailing of structural steel members
establish efficient administrative arrangements for liaison with designers
establish drawing and document control procedures
identify standard components and connections from industry publications, manufacturers' catalogues and Australian or other relevant standards

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment
Resource implications for this unit include:
access to real of appropriately simulated detailing of structural steel members including provision of suitable design information
computer with suitable CAD software or manual drafting equipment and material including work areas, materials and equipment
access to steel and component manufacturers' catalogues or websites
access to relevant standards through either hard copy or internet access.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the Manufacturing Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where structural steel detailing is involved

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OEU48 MEM09226 Detail structural steel members Unit of competency