Warning over metal fabricating law breakers
Published: 19 April, 2016
Some metal fabrication companies are acting illegally, placing their customers at risk of prosecution, according to John Grenville, managing director of leading multi-specialist engineering contractor ECEX.
He warned: “It has been a criminal offence since July 2014 to supply structural metalwork unless it conforms to EN 1090, a three-part European standard that regulates the fabrication and assembly of steel and aluminium structures.”
He added, many smaller fabrication companies had failed to become EN 1090 accredited: “Some are probably ignorant of the legislation; others believe it’s disproportionately costly and time-consuming for a small business to meet the accreditation requirements.”
This, explained Grenville, was bad news for buyers of structural steel and aluminium products because they were the ones responsible for ensuring the structures they purchased were procured only from an accredited company.
The structural components covered by EN 1090 include structural steel and aluminium components, kits, steel components used in composite steel and concrete structures and structural cold-formed members and sheeting.
Structural components are defined as those “to be used as load-bearing parts of works designed to provide mechanical resistance and stability to the works and/or fire resistance, including aspects of durability and serviceability which can be used directly as delivered or can be incorporated into a construction work”.
They embrace many everyday components used in buildings including staircases, balconies, canopies, fire escapes, walkways, ramps and guardrails, as well as trusswork, tension systems and mezzanine floors.
ECEX is accredited to the EN 1090 standard and has an in-house responsible welding co-ordinator who has been externally approved to act in this role (rather than as a sub-contracted source, the route some companies have chosen to follow).
Grenville explained: “We can therefore demonstrate that all fabricated products have had welds tested in line with documented test regimes. We can also demonstrate that all welding equipment is independently serviced and tested to ensure that the highest quality of welding can be repeated consistently.
“It is important that suppliers and purchasers of structural steel and aluminium meet the requirements (or buy from a company that meets the requirements) of EN 1090. Failure to do so could have far-reaching negative consequences.”
CARVER AND CO (ENGINEERS) LTD reports it has launched a new, highly portable and efficient extraction and filtration system for fabrication and welding applications. The company says the system’s design can meet varied welding requirements with optimal safety, productivity and versatility and provide a cost effective solution for local ventilation requirements.
OVAKO says its Steel Navigator is a digital platform that allows customers to search for and identify the best steel for their applications. The company says the investment in Steel Navigator is part of its global digitalisation strategy and underscores the group’s objective to provide its customers with the best service in the industry.
At this year’s Elmia Subcontractor exhibition in Sweden, OVAKO demonstrated its new Steel Navigator - an exciting digital platform that allows customers to search and find the most suitable steel for their application. After logging on, customers can search for specific steel grades, by combining searches on steel group, quality, process type, product and chemical composition.
Ovako says the latest wear resistant WR-Steel and next generation M-Steel were on show at MSV Brno Trade Fair and both offer manufacturers significant production advantages.
SANDVIK reports it launched new generation Sanmac at IMTS in September, offering a stainless steel material which can significantly increase machining rates.