By QED Consulting Engineers — structural & civil engineers, Notting Hill, Melbourne
LGS shop drawings are the detailed fabrication and assembly drawings for a light gauge steel frame — showing every member, dimension and connection so fabricators can build the frame accurately. They turn a structural design into something a factory and a site crew can actually produce and erect.
Here's what shop drawings are, how they differ from the structural design, and why they matter.
Structural design vs detailing — what's the difference?
There are two stages. Structural design works out what the frame needs to be — the loads it carries, the members selected, and the connections required to be safe and compliant. Detailing then translates that design into precise, buildable shop drawings: exact member sizes, lengths, hole positions, connection details and assembly sequence. You need both.
What do LGS shop drawings show?
Good shop drawings set out:
- Member layout — every stud, track and section in position
- Dimensions — exact lengths and locations
- Connection details — how members fix together
- Assembly and installation sequence — so the frame goes together correctly
The aim is to remove ambiguity, both in the factory and on site.
Why they matter
Light gauge steel is precision-engineered and often CNC-fabricated, so the drawings have to be exact. Accurate shop drawings mean less waste, fewer errors, faster fabrication and a smoother install — which is why fabricators and builders rely on them. Vague or incomplete drawings cause delays and rework.
QED specialises in light gauge steel structural design and detailing, producing the documentation fabricators across Melbourne and beyond need to build confidently.
Certification and compliance
Beyond producing drawings, the structural design behind them must comply with the relevant Australian Standards and the NCC. We also review and certify LGS designs prepared by fabricators or building designers, confirming they meet the standards.
Need LGS design or shop drawings? Talk to a Melbourne structural engineer.
Frequently asked questions
What are shop drawings? Detailed fabrication and assembly drawings showing every member, dimension and connection so a frame can be built accurately.
What's the difference between design and detailing? Design determines what the frame must be (loads, members, connections); detailing translates that into precise, buildable shop drawings.
Who certifies LGS designs? A structural engineer designs and certifies the frame to the relevant Australian Standards and the NCC, or reviews and certifies designs prepared by others.
Do fabricators need an engineer? Yes — accurate, compliant structural design and detailing underpins fabrication, and the documentation is needed for compliance and the permit.
