Question 1

What types of structural steel projects can PEC handle?

Accepted Answer

PEC’s structural-steel team fabricates, erects, and installs everything from heavy building frames and mezzanines to equipment platforms, catwalks, pipe racks, stairs, handrail systems, and custom machine foundations. Whether you need a new high-bay addition, a bridge girder, or a skid-mounted support structure, PEC can take it from design through turnkey installation.

As a leading structural steel fabricator in Georgia, PEC handles virtually any steel project an industrial site can require. Typical scopes include:

Building superstructures and high-rise frames for plant expansions.
Heavy mezzanines, walkways, and OSHA-compliant catwalks that let you add square footage without new real estate.
Equipment platforms, skid bases, and vibration-isolated machine foundations—ideal when our millwright and rigging services set large presses or chillers in place.
Pipe bridges and utility racks that integrate seamlessly with our process piping installation crews.
Interior or exterior stair towers, handrails, guardrails, and ladders manufactured to AISC and ADA/IBC codes.
Structural canopies, conveyor supports, and custom cross-section members are cut on our Python X beam line.
Specialty projects such as bridge girders, tank saddles, and rig-ready shipping frames for complete manufacturing plant relocation.

Because PEC unites structural steel fabrication with industrial process equipment services—electrical control systems integration, industrial automation and robotics solutions, and 24/7 industrial maintenance services—your project stays under one accountable roof. Our AWS-certified welders, CNC fabricators, and in-house engineers model every beam in 3-D, procure the right carbon or alloy grade, and deliver pre-fit components to the field for rapid, safe erection. The result is a turnkey industrial contracting package that minimizes downtime, maximizes strength, and keeps your facility future-ready.

Learn more on our Structural Steel page.

Question 2

What early indicators suggest existing platforms, supports, or stairs may not meet load requirements or building-codes?

Accepted Answer

Common red flags include visible corrosion, bent handrails, cracked welds, floor-plate deflection under normal foot traffic, or new machinery that makes the structure shake. If stair stringers feel spongy, anchor bolts work loose, or measured dimensions no longer meet OSHA or IBC guardrail or tread standards, the platform likely requires reinforcement or replacement.

As an industrial maintenance contractor, PEC often finds several tell-tale symptoms before a catwalk, mezzanine, or stair set is officially considered out of specification. Excessive rust flakes, sagging stringers, or grating that visibly bows when a pallet jack crosses are obvious. Less obvious clues include micro-cracks at weld toes, powdery concrete around baseplates, or columns that sound hollow when tapped, all of which indicate load paths have been compromised.

A change in usage can be just as revealing: if you recently installed heavier process equipment or added a second shift and vibration, noise, or sway suddenly increases, the live load has likely exceeded the original design. Facilities inspections frequently uncover code violations such as 36-inch high guardrails where today’s OSHA/IBC rules now require 42 inches, or tread rises that no longer satisfy ADA/IBC tolerances. Lighting or sprinkler upgrades may also trigger stricter fire-egress width requirements your current stairs cannot provide.

When PEC’s teams encounter these indicators, they recommend a four-step approach: 1) detailed load assessment, 2) finite-element calculations to match current building codes, 3) fabrication of reinforced stringers, columns, or custom platforms in our Georgia shop, and 4) turnkey installation during a planned outage to minimize downtime. This proactive upgrade avoids emergency shutdowns, protects employees, and keeps your industrial process equipment services compliant for years.

Question 3

What coatings and finishes (galvanizing, powder-coat) does PEC provide for exterior steel?

Accepted Answer

PEC protects exterior steel with three proven finishes: hot-dip galvanizing for 70-micron zinc coverage, a durable polyester or epoxy powder-coat system available in any RAL color, and multi-coat liquid paint packages (zinc-rich primer plus urethane top-coat) for high-corrosion or FDA wash-down areas.

As your one-stop industrial maintenance contractor, PEC gives you several coating options so outdoor structures stand up to weather, chemicals, and constant wash-downs:

1. Hot-Dip Galvanizing – Structural members are submerged in molten zinc, forming a metallurgically bonded layer that resists rust for 50+ years in most industrial environments. It is ideal for catwalks, platforms, mezzanines, and stair towers that see rain or salt-spray exposure.

2. Architectural Powder-Coat – After abrasive blasting and zinc-rich priming, steel is electrostatically coated with a polyester or hybrid epoxy powder and cured at 400 °F. The result is a chip-resistant, UV-stable finish offered in hundreds of RAL colors, perfect for branded canopies or food-safe equipment guards.

3. Industrial Liquid Systems – When project specs call for specific mil thickness or FDA/USDA compliance, PEC applies a three-coat system (zinc-rich epoxy primer, high-build intermediate, urethane gloss top-coat). This combination delivers 10,000-hour salt-spray performance yet can be touched up in the field.

Because all fabrication, blasting, and coating happen under one roof at our 70,000-sq-ft Georgia facility, you avoid the delays of multiple vendors and get quality control documented to AWS and SSPC standards. Explore more under our Structural Steel division to see how PEC’s turnkey industrial process equipment services can keep your next project on schedule and corrosion-free.

Question 4

How does PEC approach historical-structure steel restoration?

Accepted Answer

PEC tackles historical-structure steel restoration as a turnkey project. First we document existing conditions with 3-D laser scans and non-destructive testing, then our PE-licensed team designs a repair plan that salvages original members where possible and fabricates exact-match replacements in-house. Certified millwrights carefully remove, restore, and re-install every piece under strict safety and heritage guidelines.

Preserving a century-old truss bridge or mill frame calls for more than routine welding—it demands a blend of historic sensitivity and modern engineering. PEC starts by laser-scanning the structure and running ultrasonic or magnetic-particle tests to pinpoint hidden corrosion.

Our structural engineers compare the findings against today’s IBC and AWS D1.1 codes, then issue stamped repair drawings that keep the look and load paths true to the original.

Damaged members are gently removed by our millwright and rigging services team using Fluke laser-alignment tools to prevent additional stress. In-house custom metal fabrication crews recreate riveted angles, lattice girders, or ornamental brackets on our Python X beam line, matching original profiles while upgrading to ASTM-certified steel.

Where feasible, existing pieces are sand-blasted, metallized, and coated to meet modern corrosion-class requirements before being re-set.

Because all trades—fabrication, process piping installation for any integrated utilities, and electrical control systems integration for lighting or monitoring—live under one roof, you avoid coordinating multiple vendors. The result is a historically accurate, structurally sound restoration delivered faster, safer, and with a single point of accountability. Learn more on our structural steel fabrication page at ProcessEquipmentAndControls.com.

Question 5

Does PEC handle pedestrian bridges, precast-stair framing or DOT-certified projects?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PEC’s structural-steel team routinely fabricates and erects small pedestrian bridges and the structural framing that supports precast concrete stair flights, but we are not a Georgia DOT-certified bridge contractor. For state-DOT highway jobs we can supply shop-fabricated components or partner with a DOT-qualified prime.

As a full-service industrial process equipment contractor, PEC’s Structural Steel Division delivers turn-key steel packages that often include pedestrian walkways, cross-plant bridges, and OSHA-compliant mezzanine connections.

Our engineers design and model each bridge just like the heavier structures we build for industrial plants, then fabricate it in our 70,000-sq-ft Georgia shop and install it with our in-house millwright and rigging crews. The division specifically lists “building bridges” among common applications of our high-strength, AISC-standard steel products.

The same group provides steel stairs and landings—ideal for securing precast concrete stair treads or flights delivered by your chosen precast supplier. “Steel Stairs” appears as a standard service offering under our Structural Steel menu, so we can furnish everything from stringers and embeds to guardrails and handrail systems that bolt directly to precast units.

Because PEC focuses on private-sector and plant-level construction, we do not currently hold state DOT bridge-fabricator certification. If your scope falls under DOT jurisdiction, we can still supply pre-fabricated components or serve as a sub-tier fabricator/installer under a DOT-certified general contractor, ensuring your project benefits from PEC’s quality, schedule control, and single-source accountability.

Question 6

Does PEC fabricate structural steel in-house and also install it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Process Equipment and Controls (PEC) runs a 70,000-sq-ft fabrication shop in Georgia where our AWS-certified team cuts, drills, and welds structural steel in-house, then sends the same millwright-and-rigging crew to erect and align the steel on your site—giving you one turnkey, start-to-finish solution.

PEC offers true “design-build-install” structural steel services under one roof. Inside our climate-controlled shop, we use CNC beam-line technology and Python X robotic plasma systems to fabricate columns, mezzanines, pipe bridges, and custom frames to exact AISC standards. Because all steel is produced in-house—rather than outsourced to a third party—you get tighter quality control, faster lead times, and simplified change orders.

When the steel is ready, the very same PEC millwright and rigging services team that built it transports, sets, and bolts it in place, integrating seamlessly with equipment moves, process piping installation, or electrical control systems integration. This single-point accountability eliminates the scheduling gaps and finger-pointing that often occur when separate fabricators and erectors are involved.

The approach is ideal for food & beverage plants, automotive lines, and other industrial facilities that can’t afford extended shutdowns. PEC crews pre-fit every connection in the shop, arrive with labeled pieces and lift plans, and finish the install quickly—often over a weekend window—so you’re back in production Monday morning.

Learn more about our structural steel fabrication and installation capabilities at processequipmentandcontrols.com/service/structural-steel/ and discover why manufacturers across the Southeast rely on PEC for turnkey industrial contracting and industrial maintenance services in Georgia.

Question 7

Can PEC perform structural steel repairs or historical restorations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PEC’s Structural Steel Division repairs, retrofits, and restores existing steel frameworks—including historic structures—using AWS-certified welders, in-house detailing, and CNC fabrication. We can duplicate original members, reinforce aging connections, and install new steel without altering the building’s character, all while meeting modern safety codes and load requirements.

From small crack repairs in an industrial mezzanine to full historical restorations of century-old trusses, PEC has you covered. Our dedicated structural steel fabrication team combines 70,000 sq. ft. of shop capacity with mobile rigs and AWS-certified welders to provide turnkey steel repairs, retrofits, and preservation work.

We begin by 3-D scanning or field-measuring the existing frame, then our engineers design repair plates, splice members, or custom replicas that match the original profile. All pieces are cut, drilled, and CNC-machined in-house, then delivered and installed by the same PEC crews—eliminating coordination gaps between fabricator, millwright, and installer.

As an industrial maintenance contractor, we collaborate with your architect and local preservation office when a registered historic building is involved, ensuring the work respects its appearance while meeting today’s IBC/OSHA load ratings. Our millwright and rigging services allow us to shore the roof, remove deteriorated steel safely, and set new beams with minimal disruption to surrounding finishes.

Because PEC also offers process piping installation, electrical control systems integration, and factory equipment maintenance, we can repair the building envelope and get your production line running again under one contract.