News in Brief – October 2009

The BCSA together with the Highways Agency has formed a working group to develop a National Highways Sector Scheme for mechanical fasteners. The aim is to develop a national sector integrated management scheme within an ISO 9001 framework.

Andrews Fasteners’ partnering factory in Malaysia now has BS EN ISO 9001:2008 Quality System; BS EN 15048 Part One: 2007 Non Preload CE Approval; and BS EN 14399 Part One: 2005 Pre Load CE Approval.

The BCSA is developing a bolt competency course for those involved in the installation of bolts, with a pilot course to be held in October. Initially the course will focus on bridges but may be extended to buildings.

The Steel Sector Sustainability Strategy will be launched at a special ‘free of charge’ event at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London on Wednesday 28 October 2009. To register your place online visit www.corusevents.com or email your full details to events@ corusgroup.com 

Preeti Mistry, a student at Imperial College has recently completed an MSc thesis on the ‘Assessment of Welding Standards’. The aim of the study was to identify the welding standard and specifications required for buildings with the introduction of CE Marking and to highlight the benefits and implications for designers and steelwork contractors. The study found that for a steelwork contractor to CE Mark its products it is required to have in place a Factory Production Control (FPC) system (to BS EN 1090-1), a Welding Quality Management System (to the relevant part of BS EN ISO 3834) and a competent and qualified Responsible Welding Coordinator (RWC).