Member Spotlight

The Member Project Spotlight page is the place to share pride in the accomplishments and contributions of our members. This feature is intended to highlight recent projects and accomplishments of SEAA members.

The SEAA spotlight focuses on Phoenix Steel Erectors, based in Haymarket, Virginia. Although Phoenix was incorporated only five years ago, the firm’s principals—Pete Walker and Jim Larson—each have over 35 years’ experience in the steel erection and fabrication industry.

Walker, former Vice President of Operations of Williams Steel Erection Company, Inc. has supervised a staff of up to two hundred, managed field activities, supervised and run field operations of all phases of steel erection. He also has significant OSHA, AWS and first-aid training, and has been on the Board of Directors of the SEAA for over 15 years, including serving as president.

Larson, former Field Coordinator of L. R. Willson & Sons, Inc., has planned and coordinated steel erection projects from inception to completion including bidding, early project management--meeting with general contractors, fabricators, structural detailers, steel joist and metal deck suppliers, fastening vendors and crane representatives.

Like Walker, Larson is actively in steel industry issues and participated in the recent Senrac update of OSHA Steel Erection Regulations. He is a current member of the AISC Code of Standard Practice for steel buildings and the AISC Industry Roundtable, served on the Steel Joist Institute Review Committee, and is a former member of AWS Code Committee. A member of SEAA for more than 20 years, he has served on the Safety Committee, held the position of president of the organization, and was the first recipient of the William Davis Service Award, SEAA’s highest member honor.

In addition to their active involvement with national SEAA, Walker and Larson were both instrumental in the formation of the SEAA Mid-Atlantic Chapter (SEAAMAC). This chapter covers six mid-Atlantic states, including Washington, DC, which gives SEAA a presence in the capital.

Phoenix has been involved in large, multi-story building projects, ranging in size from 45,000 to more than 300,000 square feet. Some of the larger projects include Community Church in Ashburn, VA (118,00 square feet multistory); Independence Center 2 in Chantilly, VA (118,000 square feet, 5-stories); Belmont Office Building in Loudon, VA (145,000 square feet, 6 stories); Atlantic Corporate Park in Dulles, VA (two 115,000-sq.ft., 6-story buildings). Phoenix also did the Dulles International Airport Control Tower, described in this issue’s Featured Project.

As an example of Phoenix’s commitment to technical and safety training, the company hosted a presentation recently by Lincoln Electric’s Mobile Demonstration Unit with Arcet Equipment Company, a Virginia local welding supply vendor. The demonstration showed the latest welding equipment and consumables for structural steel erection. With the emphasis on FEMA 353 and AWS D1.8 Seismic Supplement welding requirements on more and more projects, steel erectors are looking for products that conform to the codes, exhibit excellent operator appeal, and are highly productive. Lincoln and Arcet demonstrated the 0.072” diameter on Innershield NR-232 for high deposition rate all position welding. This product is used extensively by many steel erectors in areas of the country where seismic provisions are prevalent. It has virtually self-peeling slag and is the choice to meet the stringent Charpy V-Notch requirements of today’s codes.

For projects requiring heavy moment connections welded downhand, steel erectors turn to 3/32” Innershield NR-305, which was part of Lincoln and Arcet’s demonstration. This wire also conforms to FEMA 353 and AWS D1.8 requirements and is able to easily achieve deposition rates of over 20 pounds per hour. The demonstrations were performed with Lincoln’s Vantage 500 engine-driven welder and the new LN-25 Pro Extra Torque wire feeder to provide plenty of capability for the 3/32” NR-305. This combination features excellent welding characteristics as well as a substantial amount of auxiliary power to run additional equipment on project sites.

Phoenix wanted key welding personnel to experience firsthand the nuances of different types of welding electrodes, to dialogue with experts about likes and dislikes of various electrodes, and then to advise Phoenix management of their preferences and opinions on tools and materials they use daily in their steel-erection welding responsibilities.

“We found the demonstration to be helpful and achieved our objectives with our employees,” comments Jim Larson of Phoenix Steel Erectors. “We would highly recommend the demonstration to other SEAA members.”

To experience this welding performance demonstration, contact your local Lincoln Electric representative, which in the Virginia area is Arcet Equipment Company, Charles Patterson, 703-361-8772. Find more information about Lincoln Electric at www.lincolnelectric.com.

If you wish to submit a recommended project, please note the following and email this to: excutivedirector@seaa.net.

1. SEAA affiliation is required to be eligible to participate in the Member Project Spotlight program.
2. To qualify, the project must have been successfully completed without serious accidents or injuries.
3. Provide your company contact information, including any certifications, along with the Project name, location, summary (sq/tons, etc.)
4. Send as attachments any project pictures along with company logo, etc.