What is a welded (SUA) frame?

Welded (SUA) frames: Welded frames are designed, manufactured and supplied with either square cut/notched corners or with (saw or die) miters and may or may not have connection tabs and slots. These frame designs must be welded (at the factory or by a distributor) prior to installation. The term SUA (Setup and Arc Welded) is a Steelcraft acronym and is interchangeable with welded. Frame series which are available as Welded are:

1. F and FN-Series
2. FE and DE-Series
3. MU-Series
4. Elevations

Face versus Full Profile Weld:

1. Face Welded: The joint between the head and jamb faces shall be completely arc welded along their length either internally or externally. The remaining elements of the frame profile, i.e., soffit, stops, rabbets, are not welded.
2. Full Profile Welded: (Also specified as Fully Welded or Continuously Welded) The joints between all elements of the head and jamb profiles, i.e., soffit, stops, rabbets, faces and returns, shall be completely arc welded. Faces and returns may be arc welded either internally or externally, all other frame elements shall be welded internally.

Purpose of Welded Frames: Welding (SUA) of the frame miter is a construction option and is done when specified by the architect or distributor, or when a frame cannot be factory supplied as KD.

Welding (SUA) of a frame miter is usually specified for one of the following reasons:

1. Cosmetically fills the meeting edges between the corner miters of the jambs and head
2. To insure that the frame is square at time of installation
3. To avoid welding at the jobsite
4. To insure that the frames are properly assembled prior to installation