A Quick Guide to Steel

Posted on July 7, 2014

Up to now getting steel has been quite simple.  You call up the supplier and ask for a piece of steel, or order a fabricated unit; not having to check anything. But from 1 July all of this has changed.

As of 1 July 2014, all structural steel must come with a CE marking on it (BS EN 1090).

A brief history of steel markings: The Construction Products Directive was introduced in 1988 and was incorporated in the UK in the Construction Product Regulations 1991; ever since then CE marking has been optional/voluntary. The manufacturing industry has known that this would eventually become mandatory and most have already complied. In order to get CE marking, the manufacturer must prove that their steel is strong enough by putting it through a series of tests called a European Technical Assessment (ETA).

The Construction Product Regulations 1991 were replaced in 2013 (same name) and from 1 July 2013 it has been mandatory to CE mark all products, other than structural steel. As of 1 July 2014, it is mandatory for all structural steelwork.

Engineers: must specify the exact marking needed on each piece of steel.
Manufacturers: must comply with ETA and use CE markings.
On-site contractors: must only order steel with CE marking and check that it complies when it arrives.

This means that every time you order steel you must ensure that it is produced by someone who is authorised to produce CE marked steel; and you must then ensure that when it arrives on site, it actually has the CE markings on it. If it does not you will be committing a criminal offence by installing it into a building, so we suggest you check it thoroughly.

If you are unsure as to whether your supplier complies with these regulations you can always check with the British Constructional Steelwork Association; another condition of membership with them is that the manufacturer complies with the CE markings.

For technical information click here: http://www.steelconstruction.info/CE_marking