What Is an RFI in Structural Steel Fabrication?
A Request for Information — commonly called an RFI — is a formal query raised by the fabricator to the structural engineer when something in the drawings or specification is unclear. Cedar Steel manages the full RFI process in-house, with in-house drafting for structural steel beams, steel installation and erection in Sydney, and all commercial steel construction scopes, ambiguous or appears to conflict with other project documentation. The RFI asks the engineer to clarify, confirm or resolve the issue before fabrication proceeds.
RFIs are a normal and expected part of the fabrication process on any project of moderate complexity. They are not a sign that the engineer’s drawings are poorly done — they are a sign that the fabricator is reading the drawings carefully and catching issues before they become expensive site problems. A fabricator who raises no RFIs on a complex project is not necessarily more competent; they may simply be making assumptions that show up as errors later.
What Triggers an RFI?
RFIs are typically triggered by one of four situations. The first is a genuine ambiguity in the drawing — where a dimension, a connection detail or a note is unclear and could be interpreted in more than one way. The second is a conflict between documents — where the structural drawing says one thing and the architectural drawing, the specification or a previous revision says something different. The third is a buildability issue — where the drawing is clear but the fabricator identifies that what is drawn cannot physically be built as shown, or cannot be built in the sequence the site programme requires. The fourth is a design change — where the engineer wants to modify a detail after the drawings have been issued, and the modification needs to be formally recorded before the affected steel is fabricated.
Cedar Steel’s drafting team identifies potential RFI issues during the shop drawing modelling phase, when the entire structure is built in three dimensions and any dimensional conflicts or physical clashes become visible. Raising these issues as formal RFIs before fabrication commences — rather than discovering them on site — is one of the core values of the 3D modelling process.
What Is an RFI Sketch?
An RFI sketch is a diagram included with the RFI to help the engineer understand exactly what the fabricator is asking. Because RFIs typically deal with specific connection points or geometric details that are difficult to describe in words alone, a sketch showing the relevant members, the existing connection as drawn, and the specific issue or proposed alternative is much more effective than a written description.
Cedar Steel produces RFI sketches using the 3D model. A view from the model is extracted at the precise point where the issue occurs, annotated with dimensions and notes, and submitted with the RFI to the engineer. This makes the engineer’s review process faster and more accurate — they are looking at the actual geometry of the issue, not trying to reconstruct it from a text description.
What Happens If an RFI Is Not Resolved Before Fabrication?
The consequences of proceeding with fabrication on an unresolved RFI depend on the nature of the issue. In the best case, the fabricator’s assumption turns out to match the engineer’s intent and no remediation is required. In the worst case, steel is fabricated to the wrong geometry, arrives on site and cannot be installed, and must be modified or replaced. Both the direct cost of the rework and the programme delay are typically significant.
On complex commercial and industrial projects in Sydney, Cedar Steel maintains an RFI register that tracks every query from raising through to resolution. No fabrication proceeds on elements covered by an open RFI without explicit approval from the engineer. This is not bureaucratic caution — it is the most effective way to protect the client’s programme and budget.
Who Is Responsible for Resolving an RFI?
The structural engineer is responsible for resolving design-related RFIs. They own the design intent and have the engineering authority to confirm or modify connection details, dimensions and specifications. On projects with a head contractor, RFIs may be routed through the builder’s project manager, but the engineering response always comes from the engineer of record.
Cedar Steel’s project coordinator tracks the status of open RFIs and follows up with the builder and engineer when responses are needed to keep the fabrication programme on track. Prompt RFI responses directly affect fabrication lead times — an RFI that takes two weeks to resolve delays fabrication of the affected elements by two weeks.
How Does Cedar Steel Manage the RFI Process?
Cedar Steel’s RFI process starts with the shop drawing modelling phase. As the 3D model is built, potential issues are flagged internally before they are formally raised. Where the issue is minor and clearly resolvable without engineering input — for example, a standard connection type that the engineer’s note applies to but did not explicitly specify — it may be addressed in the shop drawing with a clarification note rather than a formal RFI. Where the issue requires engineering input, the RFI is drafted with a sketch and submitted formally.
Cedar Steel targets a response turnaround of one business day for its own internal review of drawings. For engineer-dependent RFIs, the timeline is in the engineer’s hands — but Cedar Steel’s project coordinator monitors the log actively and flags any RFIs that are approaching the fabrication start date for the affected elements.
Keep Your Programme Intact With Cedar Steel’s Drafting Process
Cedar Steel’s planning and drafting team manages the RFI process as an integrated part of the shop drawing and fabrication scope for projects across Sydney and NSW. Early engagement means more time for drawing review and RFI resolution before the programme pressure is on.
Contact Cedar Steel today:
Visit: https://cedarsteel.com.au/contact/
Call: 1300 714 334
Send your drawings and we will begin the review process immediately. Sydney-wide service. Quote responses within one business day.
