CROSS Safety Report
Quality of some imported steel components
This report is over 2 years old
Overview
Concerns are raised that the construction industry is procuring many materials such as steel plates, structural sections, and metal castings from outside the UK and that these are often found to have some issues in meeting specification.
Key Learning Outcomes
For steel fabricators and design engineers:
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It is good practice to check the adequacy, completeness and authenticity of all certification of structural steelwork, particularly when safety-critical items are involved
For the construction team:
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It is good practice to have a quality control procedure in place to inspect incoming steelwork to ensure it meets the required standard
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Where a defect is identified in a product covered by a harmonised European Standard, the trading standards department of the local authority should be notified in order that they can investigate and take any necessary action
Full Report
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We are aware, says a reporter, that the construction industry is procuring many materials such as steel plates, structural sections, and metal castings from outside the UK and that these are often found to have some issues in meeting specification. We have, they continue, had several experiences where the strength and characteristics of castings, plates, and manufactured ‘off the shelf’ products, did not meet the project specifications. Products have also been received with paperwork that demonstrates compliance with specification but when destructively tested did not meet the properties given in the accompanying certificates.
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Expert Panel Comments
Expert Panels comment on the reports we receive. They use their experience to help you understand what can be learned from the reports. If you would like to know more, please visit the CROSS-UK Expert Panels page.
Reports 259, 331, and 284 follow a common theme and reveal a worrying trend. The fact that there are reports concerning different products suggests that these incidents are not rare. Designers and contractors may need to consider as a matter of ensuring structural safety whether to instigate routine testing of any product purchased from a source which is not well known.
CE marking raises issues
The globalisation of material supply and the introduction of CE marking are raising issues about the quality of material received on site. It is clear that CE marking alone may not offer the same level of confidence as quality schemes that have been used historically. CE marking is a standardised method of giving product characteristics against a harmonised EN. It is not a declaration of fitness for purpose in any particular circumstance of use and a reputable product manufacturer's technical information may be more useful if it gives advice on the use of the product in service.
There is confusion over when and if CE marked products need to be used especially in projects which are publicly procured. In fact, CE marking is a significant topic for Public Procurers. A related issue is the readiness of clients, designers, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers for the introduction of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) in July 2013. The Construction Products Regulation (305/2011/EU - CPR) – replacing the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC – CPD,) is laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products.
There is confusion over when and if CE marked products need to be used especially in projects which are publicly procured. In fact, CE marking is a significant topic for Public Procurers.
Detecting forgeries
Also, of concern is whether in the UK the 'market surveillance' required is in place (via Trading Standards Organisations) and that they have the necessary resource and expertise. Detecting forgeries is not easy and in 2010 the UK Department for Business innovation and Skills issued a warning about organisations falsely claiming to be notified bodies which included the following:
Practical guidance is needed and as an example BCSA has issued some simple, practical advice guidance to its members (memorandum No 193-10) on how to check a CE marked certificate. With their permission it is reproduced below:
This should be signed by the ‘Notifying body’ and show the specific range of grades & products covered. It is not a blanket certificate for all products. The manufacturer should only be CE marking those products listed on the Certificate. A copy of the certificate can be obtained from the manufacturer or the supplier.
• EC Certificate of Conformity
• The EC Certificate is produced by the Notified Body and should include:
• Name and address of Notified Body
• Name and address of the manufacturer or his agent in the European Union
• Description of the product (type, identification, use…)
• Provisions to which the product conforms
• Particular conditions applicable to the use of the product
• The certificate’s number
• Conditions and period of validity – where applicable
• Name and position of the person empowered to sign the certificate.
The Notified body must be approved by the European Commission and the following website can be used to check this: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/ newapproach/nando/.The manufacturer is also required to produce a "Declaration of conformity”. Once again, a copy can be obtained from the manufacturer or the supplier.’
From the reports and the comments of the CROSS expert panel it would seem that guidance on the confidence given by, and the acceptability of, CE marking and the use of the Construction Products Regulation would be timely.