The erector shall take reasonable care in the proper handling and storage of the structural steel during erection operations to avoid the accumulation of excess dirt and foreign matter. The erector shall not be responsible for the removal from the structural steel of dust, dirt, or other foreign matter that may accumulate during erection as the result of jobsite conditions or exposure to the elements. The erector shall handle and store all bolts, nuts, washers, and related fastening products in accordance with the requirements of the RCSC Specification.
Commentary
During storage, loading, transport, unloading, and erection, blemish marks caused by slings, chains, blocking, tie-downs, etc., occur in varying degrees. Abrasions caused by handling or cartage after painting are to be expected. It must be recognized that any shop-applied coating, no matter how carefully protected, will require touching up in the field. Touching up these blemished areas is the responsibility of the contractor performing the field touch-up or field painting.
The erector is responsible for the proper storage and handling of fabricated structural steel at the jobsite during erection. Shop-painted structural steel that is stored in the field pending erection should be kept free of the ground and positioned so as to minimize the potential for water retention. The owner or ODRC is responsible for providing suitable jobsite conditions and proper access so that the fabricator and the erector may perform their work.
Jobsite conditions are frequently muddy, sandy, dusty, or a combination thereof during the erection period. Under such conditions, it may be impossible to store and handle the structural steel in such a way as to completely avoid any accumulation of mud, dirt, or sand on the surface of the structural steel, even though the fabricator and the erector manages to proceed with their work.
Repairs of damage to painted surfaces and/or removal of foreign materials due to adverse jobsite conditions are outside the scope of responsibility of the fabricator and the erector when reasonable attempts at proper handling and storage have been made.