Published · 2026-10-10
A maximum-span figure is not a complete floor-deck quotation. Ask each bidder to identify the table and the input assumptions used for the offered profile. Compare the same project requirements, rather than selecting the largest number on a brochure.
Separate the design stages
SMD’s construction-stage guidance identifies wet concrete, reinforcement and temporary construction loads. These are not simply the completed floor’s occupancy loads. [1]
Tata Steel’s ComFlor design-support page distinguishes construction conditions, service loads and spans, and slab fire requirements. Its information concerns its own system. [2]
These examples explain why the stage and assumptions belong in your document request. They do not establish a permissible span, load, fire rating or support-free installation for a ZY product. Obtain the proposed system’s own documentation and the project designer’s review.
Ask the bidder to identify the applicable row
| Comparison field | What to request | Do not substitute |
|---|---|---|
| Offered deck | Profile drawing and revision; steel grade; thickness and its measurement basis. | A photograph or a similar product name. |
| Slab build-up | The specified concrete and slab-depth inputs used in the submitted calculation or table. | The dimensions of a different slab. |
| Supports and spans | Support layout, support bearing width with units, span definition and assumed single or continuous arrangement. | Sheet cut length alone. |
| Temporary support | Whether the submitted result assumes propping; the relevant design-document reference. | An unspecified ‘maximum span’. |
| Loads and stage | The load definition, units, design stage and included or excluded load components. | A completed-floor figure treated as a construction-stage check. |
| Further criteria | Applicable fire, deflection and other project checks; calculation or report references. | One table result treated as approval of the whole floor. |
An illustrative comparison with two unresolved items
Offer A lists a profile and a maximum span but gives no support assumptions. Offer B identifies a table row that assumes temporary propping, while the enquiry has not settled propping responsibilities. Neither offer is ready for a like-for-like comparison. Record two questions: which support arrangement underlies A, and who confirms and includes the temporary-support scope for B? This is a purchasing example, not an actual customer quotation or a structural calculation.
Keep a decision record beside the quantity schedule
Give each floor area or sheet group a reference that matches the drawings and quantity schedule. For each bidder, record the table or calculation revision, requested input, bidder’s stated input, unresolved difference, responsible reviewer and response date. Mark missing information ‘To confirm’. Do not convert an unresolved technical difference into an assumed equivalent price.
Use the existing floor-deck Schedule/Project workbook for quantities and project information. The additional comparison worksheet records evidence and questions; it does not calculate capacity. The responsible designer must confirm the offered system and applicable project requirements. Installation, concrete placement and temporary-support decisions need the approved project documents.
Prepare a span-table clarification request
- Project, destination and floor-area reference
- Drawing number and revision
- Offered profile drawing and revision
- Steel grade, thickness and thickness basis
- Slab and concrete inputs supplied by the designer
- Support layout, bearing width with units and definition of span
- Single or continuous arrangement stated by the bidder
- Propping assumption and approval-document reference
- Construction-stage load definition and units
- Completed-floor load definition and units
- Fire and deflection checks required for this project
- Table page, row or calculation revision
- Requested input versus bidder’s stated input
- Unresolved difference, reviewer and response date
- Included/excluded supply and temporary-work scope
Sources and scope
Manufacturer guidance is used to frame document-review questions. No manufacturer’s model, numerical span, load, certificate or supply capability is attributed to ZY. This is a buying guide, not installation instructions.