AISC Certification
The AISC Quality Management Systems (QMS) Certification sets the quality standard for the structural steel industry and is the most widely recognized national quality certification program for that industry. Companies that are AISC QMS Certified have been through a rigorous initial evaluation and are subject to annual reviews. The QMS Certification requires a comprehensive administrative review, documentation audit, and on-site audit to evaluate a company’s quality management system rather than just specific product inspection. The program focuses on the entire process of fabrication and erection – which will prevent errors from occurring instead of ONLY inspecting and correcting them after the fact. AISC’s Certification Programs confirm to the design community and construction industry that a company has the personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment and commitment to meet the AISC Standards for a specific certification category.
Quality Management Company (QMC) is the exclusive auditing body for the American Institute of Steel Construction’s programs, and QMC auditors verify that your QMS is in place, implemented and effective.
Learn more at the AISC Certification Website.
Why Become Certified?
Section 1.1 of the Standard for Certification Program states:
The purpose of this Standard is to confirm to owners, the design community, the construction industry, and public officials that certified participants who adhere to the requirements in this Standard have the personnel, organization, experience, documented procedures, knowledge, equipment, and commitment to quality to perform fabrication, manufacturing, and/or erection as described in this Standard.
What are the scopes of certification?
Section 1.2 of the Standard for Certification Program states:
(a) Chapters 1 and 2 shall apply to building fabricators, who fabricate and supply the structural steel frames for buildings where elements of the frames are as defined in AISC Code of Standard Practice Section 2.1.
(b) Chapters 1 and 3 shall apply to metal component manufacturers, who manufacture components that include bracing not designed for primary loads (diaphragms, cross frames, and lateral bracing); camera, light, sign, and signal support structures; bridge rail; stairs; walkways; grid decks; drains; scuppers; expansion joints; bearings; ballast plates; and mechanical movable bridge equipment. Manufacturers of camera, light, sign, and signal support structures; high mast light towers; bridge rail; complex expansion joints; high load multi- rotational (HLMR) bearings; and mechanical movable bridge equipment shall also be required to meet specific supplemental requirements to this Standard.
(c) Chapters 1 and 4 shall apply to bridge fabricators, who fabricate and supply steel highway or railroad bridges.
(d) Chapters 1 and 5 shall apply to erectors of structural steel.
(e) Chapters 1 and 6 shall apply to hydraulic metal structure fabricators.
For additional information on the AISC Certification Programs, please visit www.aisc.org/certification. The website offers a wide variety of resources and includes current standards, applications, and fee schedules for anyone applying.
