Categories of AISC Certification

FABRICATORS 

Standard for Steel Building Structures (STD)
The Certification Standard for Steel Building Structures applies uniformly to all building fabricators, regardless of size and complexity of project. AISC believes there is a basic level of quality that all fabricators need to maintain regardless of company size or shop capacity. The Building Standard places equal emphasis on all aspects of the fabricator’s business processes.

Simple Steel Bridge Structures (SBR)
This category is appropriate for unspliced rolled beam bridges. Simple Bridges can be short, single span highway overpasses. They are also pedestrian bridges, connections between buildings, or bridges on private property. These projects may interface with contracts for state transportation departments.

Major Steel Bridge (CBR)
This certification is typically specified for bridges that have welded and bolted splices in multi-span projects. The projects include both rolled beams and built-up girders. Facilities should be capable of executing a typical three girder lay down and full assembly. The majority of these projects comply directly with state transportation departments' provisions. Companies certified for Major Steel Bridges (CBR) are also automatically certified for Simple Steel Bridges (SBR).

Companies in both bridge categories have a quality management system that supports fabrication practices necessary to meet the contract requirements for bridges - including a welding quality assurance system in accordance with AASHTO/AWS D1.5 - Bridge Welding Code.

Note: Major Steel Bridge (CBR) certification requires experience making girders. Initial applicants may fabricate a mock girder to meet the audit requirements. View a copy of the Mock-up Bridge Girder Instructions.

Standard for Bridge and Highway Metal Component Manufacturers (B-CMP)
The AISC Certification Standard for Bridge and Highway Metal Component Manufacturers is modeled on the AISC Certification Standard for Steel Building Structures, but it describes certification requirements for facilities that manufacture and supply specific components, composed primarily of metal to bridge and highway construction projects.  Certification is appropriate for manufacturers of 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.

ENDORSEMENTS

Sophisticated Paint Endorsement
The Sophisticated Paint Endorsement is a quality certification program designed to evaluate the qualifications of structural steel fabricators and manufacturers of bridge and highway metal components who apply sophisticated or industrial protective coatings, such as zincs, expoxies, urethanes, or multi-coat systems in their paint shops following fabrication. The Sophisticated Paint Endorsement meets quality program criteria requirements of SSPC-QP 3, "Standard Procedure for Evaluating the Qualifications of Shop Application Firms." Also, The Sophisticated Paint Endorsement is based on industry standards and manufacturers' storage, surface preparation, application and curing requirements. There are currently three Paint Endorsements available:

      • P1-Sophisticated Paint Endorsement-Enclosed
      • P2-Sophisticated Paint Endorsement-Covered
      • P3-Sophisticated Paint Endorsement-Outside

Fracture Critical Endorsement
Simple or major bridge fabricators that furnish fracture critical bridge members may qualify for the fracture critical endorsement. Fabricators must demonstrate a familiarity with procedures required to produce fracture critical members in accordance with a fracture control plan as defined by AASHTO/AWS D1.5.

ERECTORS

Certified Steel Erector (CSE)
Erection contractors providing services necessary for erection of structures such as schools, shopping centers, light manufacturing plants, warehouses, low-rise beam and column structures, simple non-continuous bridges, and steel-framed buildings.

A Certified Steel Erector must have the following items:

    • Erection plan
    • Formal safety plan
    • Program to promote project planning
    • Formal program to monitor compliance with required welding and bolting procedures
    • Written substance abuse plan and policy

Advanced Certified Steel Erector (ACSE)
Erection contractors providing services necessary for erection of structures such as large public and institutional buildings, heavy manufacturing plants, bunkers, bins, major bridges, continuous girder bridges, railroad bridges, powerhouses, major industrial facilities, locks and dams, high-rise structures, arenas, and repair and rehabilitation of existing steel structures. The organization shall understand the procedures involved and have ready access to the requisite talent, resources, and experience necessary to erect complex steel structures

An Advanced Certified Steel Erector must have the following items listed below as well as meet the requirements for Certified Steel Erector:

    • Implementation of the quality and safety systems defined in the Certified Advanced Steel Erector checklist
    • Experience in staged construction for maintaining traffic
    • Experience in composite and concrete core construction
    • Experience in close tolerance erection (as in architecturally exposed structural steel)
    • Experience in use of gantry and other specialized crane systems
    • Experience in retrofit and maintenance
    • Experience with complex projects such as working over water and railroad tracks
    • Experience with large-scale erection projects
    • Experience and equipment for rivet removal
    • Written procedure for jacking and use of falsework

METAL BUILDINGS

Metal Building Systems (MB)
AISC sponsorship of this program concluded at the end of 2009 - please see the AISC press release for additional information.