Steel structures for Australian projects are normally designed and fabricated to Australian standards, with documents that show the steel and the welding meet them. A project team that plans these early avoids delays at approval and at handover. A steel structure fabricator in Vietnam can supply such projects, if the design basis, the documents and the delivery are agreed at the start.
Which standards usually apply
Australian projects commonly refer to a set of national standards: one for the design of steel structures, one for the fabrication and erection of structural steelwork, and one for structural steel welding. The standard numbers include AS 4100 for steel structures, AS/NZS 5131 for fabrication and erection and AS/NZS 1554 for welding. The editions and the requirements differ by project, so the engineer of record should confirm which apply and in which edition.
Design and fabrication are different tasks
A design code governs loads and member checks. A fabrication standard governs cutting, welding, bolting, tolerances and inspection. Certificates show how a fabricator manages quality. Our article on design codes for steel structures in Vietnam explains the difference and why the specification must name each one.
Documents for steel structures for Australian projects
- Approved shop drawings with a revision log. See shop drawing approval.
- Material certificates tied to heat numbers. See mill test certificates.
- Welding procedures, welder records and inspection reports. See welding procedure specifications.
- Quality system certificates, such as the welding quality certificate described in EN ISO 3834-2 welding certification.
- Coating records for surface preparation and thickness.
- A packing list and marking plan. A packing list records what is in each package, and our guide to steel member marking and packing lists explains marking.
Check with the client's engineer and the authority which of these are mandatory for your project.
Steel grades and equivalence
Do not assume that grades are interchangeable between standards. A grade from one standard is not automatically equal to a grade from another, even when strengths look similar. State the required grade and the standard in the contract, and ask the engineer to approve any alternative in writing.
Corrosion and coating
Australia has long coastlines and varied climates, so coating specifications range widely. Match the coating to the site exposure and the design life. Our guides to Sa 2.5 blast cleaning and to hot-dip galvanized steel structures describe the surface steps, and our article on corrosion-resistant steel structures covers harsh sites.
Shipping and handover
Plan the packing so that members are protected at sea and marked for erection. Agree the inspection before loading, as described in pre-shipment inspection of fabricated steel. Our guide to structural steel export from Vietnam covers packaging, documents and delivery. Truong Thinh supplies projects across Southeast Asia and in Australia, and our Australia route guide describes the supply route.
Questions to ask a supplier
- Which of the project's standards have you worked to?
- Which certificates and records will you provide?
- How do you mark, pack and ship for erection?
- Who is the contact for technical queries during approval?
- What schedule do you propose, and what do you assume from us?
If you are planning a project in Australia, send the drawings, the delivery address and the schedule, and request a fabrication quotation from our engineering team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Vietnamese fabricator supply Australian projects?
Yes, if it can work to the project’s standards and provide the required documents. Confirm both before you place an order.
Do I need local approval for imported steel?
Requirements depend on the project and the authority. Ask the engineer and the building certifier early.
Who confirms the standards for the project?
The engineer of record. The fabricator follows the specification, and any alternative needs written approval.
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