RFI Template Library

Five copy-ready RFI formats for the situations that generate most steel RFIs. Adapt the bracketed fields, attach your marked-up drawing, and send. These are wording templates, not engineering advice — your EOR and contract documents govern.

1. Missing embed / anchor information

Use when: embed plates, anchor rods, or weld plates are shown on structural drawings but size, grade, projection, or layout is missing or conflicts with the foundation drawings.

Subject: RFI [number] — Missing embed/anchor rod information at [grid/elevation]

Structural drawing [S-xxx] shows embed plates at [location/grid], but plate size, anchor quantity, and projection are not indicated. Foundation drawing [F-xxx] does not show these embeds. Please provide embed size, material grade, anchor layout, and projection, or confirm the referenced detail.

Response needed by [date] to hold the fabrication schedule. Embeds are cast-in items; a late answer moves concrete, not just steel.

2. Connection clarification

Use when: the connection shown (or delegated) doesn't match member reactions, geometry, or the schedule of typical details.

Subject: RFI [number] — Connection clarification at [member/grid]

Detail [x/S-xxx] indicates a [shear tab / clip angle / moment] connection at [location]. The reaction table on [S-xxx] lists [value], which exceeds the capacity of the typical detail shown. Please confirm the governing connection type and design reaction for this location, or direct us to the applicable typical detail.

Fabrication of affected members is on hold pending response.

3. Grid / elevation conflict

Use when: architectural, structural, and/or steel dimensions disagree.

Subject: RFI [number] — Grid/elevation conflict between [dwg] and [dwg]

Structural drawing [S-xxx] shows top of steel at [elev] along grid [x]; architectural drawing [A-xxx] shows [different elev] at the same location. Difference is [value]. Please confirm governing elevation. Affected members: [list]. We will hold detailing at this grid pending direction.

4. Finish / coating clarification

Use when: paint, galvanizing, or fireproofing-prep requirements are ambiguous or conflict between spec sections.

Subject: RFI [number] — Coating system clarification for [members/area]

Spec section [09 xx xx] calls for [system A] on exposed steel; section [05 12 00] references [system B] for the same members at [location]. Galvanized members are also noted at [location] without a touch-up/paint-over requirement. Please confirm the coating system, surface prep, and shop/field split for the listed members.

5. Delayed response / change-impact wording

Use when: an open RFI has passed its needed-by date, or a response changes scope, cost, or schedule.

Subject: RFI [number] — Response overdue; schedule and cost impact notice

RFI [number], submitted [date] with a response requested by [date], remains open. Fabrication/detailing on [members/areas] has been suspended since [date]. We reserve our rights under [contract article] regarding schedule and cost impacts accruing from [date]. Upon response, we will submit any resulting change-order pricing within [x] days.

Keep it factual. Dates, holds, and contract references — no editorializing.

Keep every one of these off a sticky note

Every template above generates a date, a response window, and a potential cost impact. Log them — submission date, needed-by date, response date, who's holding what. That trail is where steel money leaks.

More templates and tools land here as we build them out. Get the weekly steel project brief — the template or tool of the week comes with it.