Install Floor Girders and Beams

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one completed installation of every floor girder or beam section shown on the approved beam plan for the current structure, including all specified bearing supports, splices, and connectors, with a completed beam-installation record.

B. Required Documentation Schedule

Document	Source	Confirmation Required
Beam plan and schedule	Design professional / plan set	Current revision on site; beam size, species/grade or product designation, and span match the schedule
Bearing and connector schedule	Design professional / manufacturer	Post caps, hangers, straps, bolts, and structural screws match the specified type, size, and quantity
Bearing inspection approvals	Authority having jurisdiction	Foundation, sill-plate, post, pier, and pocket inspections required for beam bearing are confirmed complete
Manufacturer instructions for engineered members	Manufacturer	Field-cutting, hole, notch, and end-sealing restrictions confirmed before handling
Lift plan	Project supervisor	Worker count, rigging method, and access controls confirmed for each beam section

C. Component Schedule

Component	Quantity	Material	Finished Size	Preparation
Beam sections	Per approved beam schedule	Per approved beam schedule (solid-sawn, engineered, or as specified)	Bearing-to-bearing length per field measurement, Step 7	Cut only where the plan permits field cutting; seal cut ends per manufacturer instructions where required
Post caps / bearing plates	Per approved connector schedule	Per approved connector schedule	As supplied	Installed at each post or pier bearing point per Step 11
Hangers, straps, bolts, structural screws	Per approved connector schedule	Per approved connector schedule	As supplied	Installed per the fastening pattern in Step 18
Shims	As required by field bearing conditions	Per approved detail or manufacturer instructions	As required to achieve full, level bearing	Installed only at bearing points identified in Step 11

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Bearing length	Full contact across the minimum bearing length stated on the approved plan or connector documentation at every support, with no gap
Elevation	Beam top matches the plan elevation within the tolerance stated on the approved plan; if none is stated, obtain the tolerance from the design professional
Level	Beam is level along its length and across all bearing points as measured with a 4-foot level or longer straightedge
Splice location	Every splice occurs directly over an approved bearing point and in the orientation specified on the plan
Connector installation	Every post cap, hanger, strap, bolt, and structural screw matches the approved connector schedule for type, size, quantity, and installation direction, with listed fasteners only
Documentation completeness	Beam identification, dimensions, elevations, connections, field cuts, and inspection results are recorded on the beam-installation record

E. Document Review and Material Verification (Steps 1–5)

1. Review the approved beam plan, beam schedule, bearing details, post locations, connector schedule, elevations, and temporary-support requirements. Confirm the revision date against the project's document-control log before using it.
2. Verify that the foundation, sill plates, pockets, piers, posts, and bearing surfaces have passed the required inspection. Confirm the inspection date, inspector, and approval reference for each bearing point against Project 01's framing-readiness record.
3. Confirm beam material, grade, treatment, engineered-product designation, moisture condition, and delivery documentation. Compare delivered material against the approved beam schedule before staging.
4. Reject or quarantine damaged, split, delaminated, excessively warped, contaminated, or incorrectly identified members. Tag and separate rejected material and record the condition and quantity on the beam-installation record.
5. Establish a controlled staging and lifting area that keeps beams dry, supported, and clear of traffic. Confirm the staging area matches the access and worker-count requirements of the lift plan.

F. Marking and Cutting (Steps 6–10)

1. Mark each beam by plan location and required orientation. Label the reference end identified on the approved schedule before measuring.
2. Measure bearing-to-bearing dimensions and compare them with the plan before cutting. Log any difference between the field measurement and the plan dimension before proceeding.
3. Mark cut lines from a defined reference end and face. Use the framing square to strike the cut line square to the reference face.
4. Cut only solid-sawn members when the approved plan permits field cutting; use manufacturer-controlled procedures for engineered members. Confirm the plan's field-cutting permission before cutting any member.
5. Seal treated or engineered-member cut ends when required by the product instructions. Apply the specified sealant to the full cut-end surface.

G. Bearing Preparation and Lift (Steps 11–15)

1. Prepare beam pockets, post caps, hangers, bearing plates, shims, or other supports specified by the design. Install each bearing component at its plan-specified location before the beam is lifted.
2. Confirm that temporary supports and lifting equipment are stable and rated for the operation. Verify the rated capacity against the beam section's weight before lifting.
3. Lift and place the first beam using the approved worker count, rigging method, and access controls. Follow the lift plan's assigned worker positions.
4. Seat the beam fully on each bearing point without damaging anchors, connectors, masonry, or treated surfaces. Confirm full contact at every bearing point before releasing the lift.
5. Install temporary restraint before releasing lifting equipment. Confirm the restraint is secured at both ends before any worker releases the rigging.

H. Remaining Sections and Connections (Steps 16–20)

1. Set remaining beam sections in the approved sequence. Follow the sequence shown on the beam plan; do not reorder sections without a documented reason.
2. Complete approved splices only over specified supports and in the required orientation. Verify the splice location against the bearing point identified on the plan before fastening.
3. Install post caps, straps, bolts, structural screws, hangers, or other connectors according to the approved schedule. Use only the listed fastener for each listed connector.
4. Verify minimum bearing, member elevation, straightness, level, line, splice position, and connector seating. Check each item against the Acceptance Standards table in Section D.
5. Check beam-to-sill, beam-to-post, and beam-to-foundation load paths. Confirm no bearing point has an unsupported gap between the beam and the structure below.

I. Correction and Documentation (Steps 21–23)

1. Correct authorized alignment or seating deficiencies without reducing bearing or altering the member. Use shims or approved bearing adjustments; do not trim a beam to correct a bearing discrepancy without design direction.
2. Record beam identification, dimensions, elevations, connections, field cuts, and inspection results. Complete every entry on the beam-installation record before proceeding to Project 03.
3. Protect the installed beam system from displacement and unapproved loading until floor joists are installed. Mark the beam system as not-for-loading until the Project 03 floor-joist inspection confirms it is ready.