The names of steel profiles primarily describe the shape of their cross-section. They do not yet indicate how much load a given element will carry or where it can be installed. The same zed profile comes in many heights and thicknesses. The same applies to channels, sigma profiles and omegas. Recognising the family is the first step. The next involves reading the dimensions, material and conditions of use. From the side, many sections look like a strip of sheet metal with a few bends. Only the view from the front reveals their construction. In a zed profile the flanges are on opposite sides of the web. In a channel they run in the same direction. The edges may have additional stiffening lips. Their presence should be checked on the drawing for the specific product.

Receiving the material should not be limited to counting packages. It is important to establish whether the correct profiles have arrived and whether they have retained the required condition. Some discrepancies are easy to spot immediately. Others only become apparent when attempting installation. A checklist prepared in advance helps to separate these issues and gather the information needed to clarify a problem. The basis should be the final version of the schedule and drawings. An earlier quote may not cover subsequent changes. Item numbers, quantities and lengths should be checked. Variant markings are also important. Left and right parts can look very similar.