Glossary – Pro Steel Solutions

Term	Meaning
UB	Universal beam: an I-section designed for bending.
UC	Universal column: a near-square H-section designed for compression.
PFC	Parallel flange channel.
SHS / RHS / CHS	Square, rectangular and circular hollow sections.
S355	Structural steel grade with a minimum yield strength of 355 N/mm².
Padstone	A concrete or steel block that spreads a beam's load into masonry.
Goalpost	Two columns and a beam forming a frame, common in house extensions.
Splice	A bolted joint that connects two lengths of beam or column.
Base plate	The plate welded to a column foot and bolted to the foundation.
Cleat	A short angle or plate used to connect members.
Fin plate	A single plate welded to a column for a simple beam connection.
Execution class	The quality level (EXC1 to EXC4) set for fabrication under BS EN 1090-2.
FPC	Factory Production Control: the certified system that allows CE or UKCA marking.
UKCA	UK Conformity Assessed marking for construction products.
RAMS	Risk assessment and method statement for a site task.
GA drawing	General arrangement drawing showing the whole structure.
Fabrication drawing	A drawing of a single assembly or part with every dimension needed to make it.
DXF	A CAD file format used to send flat profiles to a CNC plasma table.
Intumescent	A coating that swells in a fire to insulate the steel.
Hot-dip galvanising	Dipping steel in molten zinc to protect it from corrosion.
Camber	A slight upward curve built into a beam to offset deflection.
Deflection	How far a member bends under load.
End plate	A plate welded across a beam end for a bolted connection.
Stiffener	A plate welded into a section to stop local buckling.
Haunch	A deepened section at the eaves of a portal frame.
Purlin	A secondary roof member spanning between rafters.
Sheeting rail	A secondary wall member carrying cladding.
Bracing	Diagonal members that keep a frame stable.
Grout	Mortar packed under base plates to level and bed them.
Holding-down bolts	Bolts cast into a foundation to fix a column base.
Mill certificate	The steel maker's record of a batch's chemistry and strength.
DoP	Declaration of Performance issued with UKCA marked steel.
Chequer plate	Steel plate with a raised pattern for grip.
Open grating	Steel flooring made of bars, letting light and water through.
Stringer	The side member of a staircase that carries the treads.
Going	The horizontal depth of a stair tread.
Rise	The vertical height of a stair step.
Pitch line	An imaginary line along the nosings of a stair.
Juliet balcony	A balustrade across a full-height opening with no platform.
Duplex	A galvanised finish with a paint or powder coat on top.
EXC	Execution class to BS EN 1090-2, from EXC1 to EXC4; sets the level of fabrication control.
WPS	Welding procedure specification: the written method a welder follows.
NDT	Non-destructive testing of welds, such as MT and UT.
MT	Magnetic particle testing: finds surface cracks in welds.
UT	Ultrasonic testing: finds faults inside welds.
Packs	Steel shims used to set a column or beam at the right level.
DFT	Dry film thickness of a paint coating, in microns.
Duplex coating	Hot-dip galvanising with paint or powder coat on top.
Grating	Open-mesh flooring of bearing bars and cross bars.
Nosing	The front edge of a stair tread.