C51 – Structural Steel Contractor

A structural steel contractor fabricates and erects structural steel shapes and plates, of any profile, perimeter or cross-section, that are or may be used as structural members for buildings and structures, including the riveting, welding, rigging and metal roofing systems necessary to perform this work.

The Structural Steel (C-51) Examination is divided into four major sections. These sections are:

1. Job Planning and Preparations (30%)

• Plans and specifications
• Shop drawings
• Material calculations

2. Equipment Operations, Maintenance and Safety (20%)

• Tools
• Machinery
• Equipment

3. Shop Fabrication (22%)

• Cutting, Punching, and Forming
• Smoothing and Priming Metals
• Welds and Welding Processes
• Shop Management

4. Field Erection (28%)

• Field Verifications and Lay Outs
• Rigging, Placements, and Aligning
• Bolt and Weld Connections
• Field Safety (Cal/OSHA)
• Metal Roofing, Siding, and Decking

*Percentages are approximate*

The following questions are typical of the types of items that are on the examination. The correct answer is highlighted.

1. Which of the following resources would provide the specifications for tightening connection bolts?

a.       CBC

b.      AISC

c.       AWS

d.       Blueprints

2. Which of the following grades would be a high strength anchor bolt?

a.       A36

b.       A307

c.       A490

d.       A425

3. Who usually prepares the shop drawings?

a.      fabricator

b.       general contractor

c.       architect

d.       engineer

*All questions are written and reviewed by licensed contractors who are actively working in the field*

California Building Code.

International Code Council,
5360 Workman Mill Road,
Whittier, CA 90601-2298.
(800) 284-4406 or (562) 699-0541.
FAX: (562) 692-3853.
INTERNET: www.iccsafe.org

Cal/OSHA State of California Construction Safety Orders.

California Code of Regulations, Title 8,
Industrial Relations, Chapter 4, Subchapter 4,
Barclays Law Publishers,
P.O. Box 95767,
Chicago, IL 60694.
(800) 888-3600
FAX: (415) 732-8875.

OR

Building News, Inc.
1612 S. Clementine Street,
Anaheim, CA 92802.
(800) 873-6397
FAX: (714) 535-8078.
INTERNET: ccr.oal.ca.gov or www.bnibooks.com

Manual of Steel Construction.

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC),
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100,
Chicago, IL 60601-2001.
(800) 644-2400
FAX: (847) 364-1268.
INTERNET: www.aisc.org

Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges.

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC),
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100,
Chicago, IL 60601-2001.
(800) 644-2400
FAX: (847) 364-1268.
INTERNET: www.aisc.org

Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts.

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC),
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100,
Chicago, IL 60601-2001.
(800) 644-2400
FAX: (847) 364-1268.
INTERNET: www.aisc.org

Structural Welding Code – Sheet Steel.

American Welding Society,
550 N.W. LeJeune Road,
Miami, FL 33126.
(800) 332-9448
FAX: (937) 332-5200.
INTERNET: www.aws.org or www.welding.org/cart/training/awsbooks.htm

Structural Welding Code – Reinforcing Steel.

American Welding Society,
550 N.W. LeJeune Road,
Miami, FL 33126.
(800) 332-9448
FAX: (937) 332-5200.
INTERNET: www.aws.org or www.welding.org/cart/training/awsbooks.htm

Structural Welding Code – Steel.

American Welding Society,
550 N.W. LeJeune Road,
Miami, FL 33126.
(800) 332-9448
FAX: (937) 332-5200.
INTERNET: www.aws.org or www.welding.org/cart/training/awsbooks.htm