Shop drawings are typically prepared by which party?

• A. Owner
• B. Fabrication
• C. Engineer
• D. Architect

Answer: (B)

Shop drawings are prepared by the fabrication shop to translate the engineer’s design into exact manufacturing and assembly details. They specify how each structural steel piece will be cut, shaped, drilled, welded, bolted, and connected, including member lengths, hole patterns, plate sizes, gussets, connection details, and tolerances. These drawings are based on the contract documents but are tailored to the shop’s capabilities and any field conditions, and they are submitted to the design professional for review and approval before fabrication proceeds. The owner, architect, and engineer provide the design drawings and specifications, but the detailed shop drawings come from the fabricator to ensure manufacturability and proper installation.