MK Steelworks Ltd

Design Freedom

Working with one company will also give you more architectural freedom. Custom fabricators can create a wide range of solutions for your specific design requirements. Furthermore, it gives you access to custom steel components.

When you work with someone with high-tech design capabilities, a range of metals and great abilities, you can bring your vision a reality.

Better Customer Service

Great customer service is a good reason to work with just one company for custom fabrications and structural steel work. This means any risk of having to work with someone that is not up to the same standard is eliminated.

It can be very difficult to find someone you trust and get along with. Therefore, working with the same company means you no longer have to worry about that.

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Cost

As well as design considerations, it is just as important to receive an accurate estimate of your fabrication project. The cost of a metal fabrication project is more than just calculating materials and labour.

Furthermore, you will also need to consider other cost factors such as the project’s complexity, certifications and more. There may also be associated material costs for the likes of hardware or accessories.

Planning

The planning stage is essential to a successful outcome of a project. Planning maps out the full scope of the project. All parties involved in the fabrication project should be involved.

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The Lifecycle of Structural Steel

Steel is a very sustainable material as it can be recycled and reused many times without reducing in quality. In addition, all materials and fuel sources used to process and fabricate the metal are not wasted as the materials will never be thrown away.

The lifecycle of structural steel involves:

• Production
• Fabrication
• Construction
• Deconstruction
• Recycling

Steel is the most recycled industrial material globally. The metal is recycled from pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap.

Once a steel product is at the end of its life, the material is collected, prepared and reused. This is called post-consumer scrap. Pre-consumer scrap is the excess material from steel production and instead of being thrown away, it is recycled back into production again.

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Bespoke Fabrication

Architects and designers can plan structural steel constructions to meet all types of shapes and sizes. The fabrication process allows for bespoke creations that look fantastic and will remain strong for a long time.

This process is used in all types of projects, from arenas and skyscrapers to staircases and outbuildings. So, if you have a small or large project in mind, consider using structural steel for the custom designs that are built to last.

Hire Professionals

At MK Steelworks Ltd we have many years of experience in the industry and have an expert team of CSCS, IPAF, PASMA and CITB registered engineers. Hiring professionals to help bring your project to life will ensure you get the best quality designs and finishes.

Some of the work specialists do regularly include:

• Welding
• Fabricating Components
• Erecting Structures

They come to every job with the appropriate safety gear, such as protective footwear and a helmet. This work can be dangerous, so it requires an expert team who have years of training to ensure the safety of everyone around them.

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Faster to Build

Most projects require to be finished in the shortest possible timeframe. With structured steel, the majority of parts are fabricated offsite to fit certain specifications.

This means they are ready to install as soon as they are sent to the construction site, speeding up the process and reducing time.

Cost-Effective

Because they are fabricated offsite, the need for onsite labour can be reduced. Additionally, due to its durability, the maintenance cost in terms of repairs and replacements can be significantly lower.

Furthermore, insurance companies may offer cheaper premiums for steel structures due to their durability.

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Safety Considerations

Engineers adhere to strict health and safety regulations when working on structural steel erection. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which includes:

• Safety Helmet
• Protective Footwear
• High-Vis Jacket/Uniform

When working at heights, they will also have to wear a safety harness as this involves rigging and climbing ladders with tools and equipment. Appropriate PPE must also be worn If fabrication, welding or other modification work takes place.

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Universal Beams and Columns

The most common use for Universal Beams is supporting floors or openings, for example when building an extension. Also called I Beams or Rolled Steel Joists, Universal Beams are very strong and perfect for bearing shear bending loads. These types of structural steel sections are generally used for large-scale building projects.

Universal Columns (UC), however, are designed for different purposes. They are used for bearing weight on the vertical axis rather than the horizontal.

UCs, sometimes known as H or I Sections, are perfect for projects where ceilings are low. The design of these sections also makes them resistant to twisting under pressure.

Hollow Structural Sections

These types of structural steel sections are hollow on the inside but reliable and versatile. There are three types of these sections including:

• Square Hollow Sections (SHS)
• Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS)
• Circular Hollow Sections (CHS)

For fences and handrails, structural foundations and more, these sections have a wide variety of uses. Each type has its benefits for certain projects. For example, a SHS is symmetrical which makes joining and welding a straightforward process. This also makes it aesthetically pleasing.

A CHS is also symmetrical, however, the circular shape means it can cope with large amounts of torsion. This is a great option for buildings that require stability in highly windy areas.

The strongest of these though is the RHS. It shares the benefit of a flat surface with the SHS, but the rectangular shape enhances its resistance to buckling and torsion.

MK Steelworks Ltd

Highly Skilled Workers And Great Quality Fabrications

For the best quality products, bespoke metal fabrication done by specialists will meet all your requirements. You can choose the right material for the job for example if it is a staircase that is for an outside fire escape you will choose stainless steel as it is the most weatherproof material.

Bespoke metal fabrication is a very specialised industry. It takes a highly-skilled workforce to create custom metal fabrications to a good quality. Some of the areas in which a skilled fabrication team specialise in include:

• Cutting (e.g. sawing, stamping and grinding)
• Bending
• Notching
• Drilling
• Welding
• Galvanising
• Powder Coating

Designing your own products with an expert means that you can create something that will last a long time and does precisely what you want it to. This is far better than buying a generic product that you might make do with.

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Regular Maintenance

A thick coat of waterproof paint every five to ten years is a great way of protecting outdoor steel fabrications from the elements. Keeping water and air from contacting the metal is essential for preventing rust outbreaks or spreading.

Wiping down and cleaning the surfaces of the steelworks every so often is also a recommended preventive measure against corrosion.

Which Steel Is Best?

There are three types of steel most commonly used for outdoor steel structures.

Carbon steel is the most popular as it is the cheapest but also very strong and resistant to everyday wear. It is, however, poor in resisting weathering and requires painting and regular maintenance to prevent serious rusting and damage.

304-grade stainless steel is a slightly more expensive yet still popular choice as it is rust-resistant and is aesthetically stylish without needing paint. The surface can dull after time so will need polishing to keep up appearances, but less work is required to protect the material from weathering and corrosion.

The third type is 316-grade stainless steel. Much like the 304-grade mentioned above, this steel is rust-resistant, however, due to the presence of molybdenum, this material is far more suited to outdoor areas with a high risk of corrosion from salt, for example near the sea.

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Flexibility

The nature of structural steel is highly flexible. Buildings and other mega-structures such as rollercoasters that require sturdy support frames can adapt the steel to meet their requirements.

Structural steel is incredibly practical for a wide range of designs, so it can also be used for custom projects.

Sustainability

Steel is also safe for the environment due to its sustainability. It has a low carbon effect and is recyclable, making it a popular choice for businesses that are going green as it can be used over and over again, without loss of quality.

On average, around 99% of structural steel is recycled or re-used when a building is demolished.