Categories approved for fabricator work

Information about the categories MassDOT approves for fabricators.

Fabrication of any fracture critical material requires the fracture critical endorsement.

Application of coatings on surfaces over 1,500 square feet (140 m^2) requires the sophisticated paint endorsement or SSPC QP3 certification.

Approval is valid indefinitely, however if a fabricator has not performed work for MassDOT for a 5 year period, the approval will expire. It shall be the responsibility of the fabricator to reapply for approval.

Approvals may be revoked at the discretion of the Engineer if the fabricator fails to meet the contract requirements. A fabricator may reapply after the end of their revocation period.

We approve fabricators for work in the following categories:

Advanced (ABR)

Fabricators approved to perform work in a higher bridge category are also approved to perform work in the lower bridge and component categories.

Fabricators approved in the Advanced (ABR) category are approved to perform work on bridges requiring an additional standard of care in fabrication and erection, particularly with regard to geometric tolerances. Examples include:

• Tub or trapezoidal box girders
• Closed box girders
• Large or non-preassembled trusses
• Arches
• Bascule bridges
• Cable-support bridges
• Moveable bridges
• Bridge with particularly tight curve radius

Intermediate (IBR)

Fabricators approved in the Intermediate (IBR) category are approved to perform work on typical bridges that do not require extraordinary measures. Typical examples might include:

• A rolled beam bridge with cover plates, either straight or with a radius over 500 ft
• A rolled beam bridge with field or shop splices, either straight or with a radius over 500 ft
• A built-up I-shaped plate girder bridge with constant web depth (except for dapped ends), with or without splices, either straight or with a radius over 500 ft
• A built-up I-shaped plate girder with variable web depth (e.g., haunched), either straight or with a radius over 1000 ft
• A truss with a length of 200 ft or less that is entirely or substantially pre-assembled at the certified bridge fabricator facility

Simple (SBR)

Fabricators approved for work in the Simple (SBR) category are approved to perform work on unspliced rolled sections.

Bridge Component (CPT)

Fabricators approved in the Bridge Component (CPT) category are approved to manufacture and supply specific components, composed primarily of metal, to bridge and highway construction projects. Components include bracing not designed for primary loads, such as:

• Diaphragms, cross frames and lateral bracing
• Bridge rail
• Stairs
• Walkways
• Grid decks
• Drains
• Scuppers
• Expansion joints
• Bearings
• Ballast plates
• Mechanical moveable bridge equipment

Signs, Luminaires, and Signal Supports

Fabricators approved for Signs, Luminaires, and Signal Supports are approved to manufacture overhead and cantilever sign supports, highway and high mast lighting supports, strain poles, and traffic signal supports.