B942 Grey Book Cover 09/07/2003 11:44 AM Page 1

Commentary on the
National Structural
Steelwork Specification
for Building Construction

4th Edition

BCSA & SCI Publication No. P 209/03 BCSA & SCI Publication No. P 209/03
COMMENTARY
on the

Fourth Edition of the

National Structural
Steelwork Specification

for

Building Construction

Richard Stainsby DIC, CEng, FIStructE, and

Roger Pope MA, MSc, DPhil, CEng, FIMechE, FIStructE, MCIArb

Published by: The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd,

4, Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2ES.

In association with:

The Steel Construction Institute, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berks SL5 7QN
Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study or criticism or review, as
permitted under the Copyright Design and Patents Act 1988, this publication may not be
reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of
the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction only in accordance with terms of the
licences issued by the UK Copyright Licensing Agency, or in accordance with the terms of
licences issued by the appropriate Reproduction Rights Organisation outside the UK.

Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the terms stated here should be sent to the publishers,
The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd. at the address given below.

Although care has been to ensure, to the best of our knowledge, that all data and information
contained herein are accurate to the extent that they relate to either matters of fact or accepted
practice or matters of opinion at the time of publication, The British Constructional Steelwork
Association Limited, The Steel Construction Institute, the authors and the reviewers assume no
responsibility for any errors in or misinterpretations of such data and/or information or any loss
or damage arising from or related to their use.

Publications supplied to members of BCSA or SCI at a discount are not for resale by them.

The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.,

4, Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2ES.
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7839 8566 Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 1634.
E-mail: postroom@steelconstruction.org
Website: www.SteelConstruction.org

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This handbook has been produced under a contract co-funded by the Department of the
Environment, Transport and the Regions [DETR], and is published with the agreement of the
Department of Trade and Industry which has taken on the sponsorship role from DETR.

Publication Number P 209/03

First Edition June 1996
Second Edition April 2003
ISBN 0 85073 041 4
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
© The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd

Printed by: Box of Tricks

 THE BRITISH CONSTRUCTIONAL STEELWORK ASSOCIATION LTD

The British Constructional Steelwork Association Limited (BCSA) is the national organisation for the steel construction
industry: its Member companies undertake the design, fabrication and erection of steelwork for all forms of construction
in building and civil engineering. Associate Members are those principal companies involved in the purchase, design
or supply of components, materials, services related to the industry. Corporate Members are clients, professional
offices, educational establishments which support the development of national specifications, quality, fabrication and
erection techniques, overall industry efficiency and good practice.

The principal objectives of the Association are to promote the use of structural steelwork; to assist specifiers and
clients; to ensure that the capabilities and activities of the industry are widely understood and to provide members with
professional services in technical, commercial, contractual and quality assurance matters. The Association's aim is to
influence the trading environment in which member companies operate in order to improve their profitability.

A current list of members and a list of current publications and membership details can be obtained from:
The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd
4 Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2ES
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7839 8566 Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 1634
Email: postroom@steelconstruction.org

BCSA's website, www.SteelConstruction.org, can be used both to find information about steel construction companies
and suppliers, and also to search for advice and information about steel construction related topics, view publications,
etc.

THE STEEL CONSTRUCTION INSTITUTE

The Steel Construction Institute develops and promotes the effective use of steel in construction. It is an independent
membership based organisation.

Membership is open to all organisations and individuals that are concerned with the use of steel in construction, and
members include designers, contractors, suppliers, fabricators, academics and government departments in the United
Kingdom, elsewhere in Europe and in countries around the world. SCI is financed by subscriptions from its members,
by revenue from research contracts and consultancy services and by the sale of publications.

SCI's work is initiated and guided through the involvement of its members on advisory groups and technical
committees. A specialist advisory and consultancy service is available free to members on the use of steel in
construction.

SCI's research and development activities cover many aspects of steel construction including multi-storey construction,
industrial buildings, use of steel in housing, development of design guidance on stainless steel and cold formed steel,
behaviour of steel in fire, fire engineering, use of steel in barrage and tunnel schemes, bridge engineering, offshore
engineering, and development of structural analysis systems.

Further information is given in the SCI prospectus available free on request from:
The Membership Secretary, The Steel Construction Institute, Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7QN.
Telephone: +44 (0)1344 623345, fax: +44 (0)01344 622944.
E-mail: reception@steel-sci.com. Website: http://www.steel-sci.org
 FOREWORD

Many of us take pride in not conforming, we like to put our personal stamp upon what we
produce; success often comes from our ability to find many different and diverse solutions to
technical problems. However, within a contract, a degree of conformity is necessary even though
this may be alien to our nature.

The National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building Construction provides

documentation that can be included in a steelwork contract, and which helps to ensure that
steelwork is accurately and economically made and can be safely built. It also lists the
information which is needed such that a steelwork contract can be completed on time without
recourse to contractual disputes.

This Commentary on the National Structural Steelwork Specification has been prepared to give
guidance and information on the specification document and on the philosophy behind it. It does
not form part of the specification, nor must it be used to interpret or construe any particular
meaning to any of the clauses or sub-clauses in this specification.

Throughout this Commentary the National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building
Construction is referred to as the NSSS.

APPRECIATION

A significant portion of this Commentary comes from notes made when compiling the original
document and its subsequent editions. This volume therefore owes a great deal to Alan Watson
the original chairman of the Steering Committee for the National Structural Steelwork
Specification for Building Construction, and to his successor Alan Pillinger.

Members of BCSA's Process and Technical Committee have given helpful comments, as has the
staff at BCSA. As the compiler of all four editions of the NSSS, Dick Stainsby has played the
leading role in developing this Commentary. On Dick’s retirement, Roger Pope was asked to
update the Commentary.

We are grateful to Carnaby Structures Limited for their permission to reproduce their Technical
Query Process sheets at Annex C to this Commentary.

Other friends in the structural steelwork industry have given us useful advice. Our sincere thanks
are due to them all, but we do not burden them with any shortcomings in this Commentary; they
are of course all ours.

Dick Stainsby
Roger Pope
 CONTENTS
Page

Introduction 2

Information Required by Steelwork Contractor 10

Materials 30

Information Provided by the Steelwork Contractor 40

Workmanship — General 48

Workmanship — Welding 54

Workmanship — Bolting 70

Workmanship — Accuracy of Fabrication 74

Workmanship — Erection 80

Workmanship — Accuracy of Erected Steelwork 88

Protective Treatment 96

Quality Assurance 102

References 106

Annex A — Tolerances in Steel Construction 112

Annex B — Recommended Specifications for Applied Coatings 124

Annex C — Technical Query Process Sheets 126

 INTRODUCTION
TERMINOLOGY WITHIN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION

The National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building Construction [NSSS] (see Ref. l) is
intended to be a part of the contract documents alongside the Project Specification (which is
described in Section 1) and other documentation dealing with commercial matters such as the
Conditions of Contract. This can lead to a confusing clash of terms used in these documents. It
is therefore essential to note the definition of terms given in the NSSS for the purposes of the
technical specification, so that the meaning of each clause is fully understood.

The term 'Employer' has a particular meaning in the NSSS and is so used to cover situations if
the steelwork contract is a main contract, or a subcontract. Some 50% of all structural steelwork
contracts for building structures are operated under a subcontract to a Joint Contracts Tribunal
Standard Form of Building Contract [JCT], or a modification of it. The employer named in that
document will be the person or company placing the main contract. However, as far as the NSSS
is concerned the term 'Employer' is the individual or company placing the contract for the
steelwork with the Steelwork Contractor. Most often the Employer of the Steelwork
Contractor will be the Principal Contractor.

A similar problem can arise over the term 'Engineer'. The NSSS uses 'Engineer' to mean the
person responsible for the structural design and for accepting the detail drawings and the
erection method statement. Other documents such as ICE Conditions or the FIDIC Conditions
define the 'Engineer' as the person appointed by the Employer 'for the purposes of the contract'.
These 'purposes' may include other duties not dealt with in the NSSS.

The reference to 'designer' in the NSSS definition of Engineer is intended to be the designer as an
individual, or a design company, or a design practice. If a Design-and-Build form of contract is
used, a designer who is an employee of the Steelwork Contractor will take on most of the
responsibilities of the Engineer as defined in the NSSS. However, there would still need to be
review and acceptance of the steelwork design and the erection method by the Employer.

Design liability must be recognised when the Steelwork Contractor provides the design. In the
terms of the NSSS, the Steelwork Contractor's designer has the responsibilities of the Engineer.
This is an area where there is agreement between the NSSS and the JCT Standard Form of
Contract With Contractor's Design 1981 Edition.

The JCT form deals with the matter under the heading 'Contractor's design warranty'.
The essential part of the statement, in this respect, reads:

'the Contractor shall have in respect of any defect or insufficiency in such design the like
liability to the Employer ..... as would ..... an appropriate professional designer holding
himself out as competent to take on work for such design who acts independently under a
separate contract with the Employer'.

'The Works' as defined in the Conditions of Contract are likely to include a brief description of
everything which constitutes the owner's requirements for the completed building. However in
context of the NSSS, 'The Works' is limited to the structural steelwork.

2
WHY HAVE A NATIONAL STRUCTURAL STEELWORK SPECIFICATION?

Over the years, those involved in drawing up contracts for the supply and erection of structural
steelwork had felt the need to include a technical specification. British Standard specifications
have been readily accepted by the industry for long enough, but what was needed, in addition to
the national Standards, was one document giving the requirements of the contract and which paid
particular attention to those matters which are essential to good practice.

Some of these requirements had been considered too contentious for incorporation into British
Standards Institution [BSI] publications. Other matters of paramount importance in a steelwork
contract could be found in a BSI Standard, but were lost amongst other information which it is
necessary for a national Standard to embrace. This resulted in most Employers composing a
different technical specification each time. To become familiar with the technical requirements
these bulky documents had to be read in detail whenever a new contract came along.
Furthermore, the Engineer will commonly have 12 months experience with a project before an
enquiry is issued to the Steelwork Contractor, who then has very few weeks to prepare a
quotation. In such circumstances the NSSS serves to assist the Engineer to ensure that the
Steelwork Contractor gets an understanding of the project requirements in the short time
available.

The concept of a national specification for structural steelwork arose in the 1980s, from
discussions of a group that met under the auspices of the Department of the Environment and the
National Economic Development Office, and the idea was readily endorsed by designers,
specifiers and steelwork contractors throughout the industry.

The British Constructional Steelwork Association [BCSA] undertook the development of such a
specification under the guidance of a steering committee from all sides of industry. The objective
was to achieve a greater uniformity in steelwork contract specifications by producing a document
capable of being issued and cross-referenced with both tender and contract documents.

The outcome of the work was the NSSS. The 1st Edition was published in 1989 and the 4th
Edition, to which this volume refers, was published in 2002.

Having a nationally recognised document has proved that the wide fluctuation in contract
specifications, which had previously been the cause of much misunderstanding, can be avoided.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE NSSS

A typical structural steelwork project starts with design. However, codes of practice for design
are well established and such codes do not form part of the NSSS. A reference to them is
sufficient even if the contract is to 'design and build'.

Nevertheless, unless the design is well-ordered and thoughtfully made, it can play havoc with a
steelwork contract and add considerably to the final cost. Due economy in materials used must
be exercised, but it must be recognised that using a myriad of material sizes to save weight
simply misses the economy which repetition and standardised details can bring.

3
The reason for introducing the subject of design in this statement on the philosophy of the NSSS
is to make clear that although design is not within the scope of the document it is a factor that
impinges on all sections of it. Successful steelwork fabrication and erection contracts depend
upon the design being a practical one and also on the following items which are covered in the
NSSS:
information, supplied by the Engineer and the Employer, which is needed by the Steelwork
Contractor so that he can perform - this is discussed under 'Project Specification' below,
the selection and proper use of good quality materials,
the preparation of detail drawings or equivalent electronic data which are appropriate to the
purpose of the structure and which take account of the need for tolerances,
the fabrication and assembly being carried out to a consistently high standard within
recognised tolerances,
the surface of components being properly treated and handled,
the safe erection of the structure being carried out to an agreed programme, by a method
which takes account of the design concept, within agreed tolerances,
the work being carried out to a quality plan.

True success calls for the work being performed economically. A perfect job that leaves either
the Steelwork Contractor bankrupt or the Employer with excessive costs will not foster a
continuing structural steelwork industry. The NSSS is intended to be the key to the correct blend
between what the Steelwork Contractor can economically achieve, and the price the Employer is
willing to pay. It seeks to establish a benchmark standard of good commercial practice and to
encourage the accurate and timely interchange of specification information about non-standard
requirements.

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Included in the Welding Section of the NSSS are tables giving the scope of inspection and
acceptance criteria for welds. These tables are based on the result of work commissioned by
BCSA and carried out by The Welding Institute. The scope of inspection included in previous
editions of the NSSS has now been incorporated in BS 5950-2 and similar tables applicable to
bridge structures under dynamic loads have been incorporated into the International Standard ISO
10721-2. The application of the table covering scope of inspection now in the NSSS is explained
in the Commentary on Section 5.

EUROPEAN STANDARDS

The 3rd Edition of the NSSS made reference to the increasing number of new European
Standards (which become BS ENs when adopted as British Standards) which were replacing
British Standards [BSs]. This trend is now largely complete and the updated references have
been incorporated into the 4th Edition.

As a note for those brought up on the use of BSs the list below gives some examples of terms
used in design and specification:

4
 Traditional European Equivalent
Dead Loads Permanent Actions
Imposed Loads Variable Actions
Unfactored Loads Characteristic Actions
Capacity Resistance
High Strength Friction Grip Bolts Preloaded bolts
Fabrication and Erection Execution

THE PROJECT SPECIFICATION

Whilst it is intended that most general matters of a technical nature will be found in the NSSS, it
is recognised that there must also be a place if particular requirements relating to the project can
be brought to the notice of the Steelwork Contractor. This is the primary purpose of the Project
Specification and it is dealt with in Section 1 of the NSSS.

Prior to execution, the Employer, the Engineer and the Steelwork Contractor must define and
understand what is to be built. Usually this process will be one of dialogue between them, with
the information being refined during the enquiry-tender process and with as few changes as
possible between order and execution. Annex C is an illustration of the procedure for this
technical query process.

Whilst the Steelwork Contractor may have assisted this process, it is the Employer’s
responsibility to ensure that the Project Specification and Design Drawings are suitable to issue
for construction. Ambiguities and uncertainties in the construction issue information will cause
problems. It is better for the Steelwork Contractor’s firm price to be based on what is known to
be definitely required. Additions can be issued with change orders or variations as other
requirements become clearer during the post contract period.

The Project Specification also provides a means of designating any changes or additions to the
clauses in the NSSS (though it is hoped these will be few in number as the NSSS is intended to be
used in full). If these changes are grouped together in the Project Specification they are unlikely
to be overlooked (see 1.1).

At an early stage of writing the NSSS, the decision was made that it would not cover specific
surface treatments for structural steelwork. To have included the full range of paint coatings and
other treatments would have resulted in an out-of-balance publication with a large section
devoted to this matter alone. The answer was to include in the NSSS a short section on the rules
for good practice in surface preparation, but to give the Project Specification the task of
specifying the treatment to be used or the performance required of the treatment system. As
explained in the Commentary on Section 10, the emphasis in Project Specifications has moved
from prescriptive treatment specifications to performance specifications that the Steelwork
Contractor can then refer to specialist manufacturers of coatings.

As the Project Specification is unique for each contract, it takes precedence over other
specifications including the NSSS.

5
LEGISLATION

Although legislation does not form part of technical specifications such as the NSSS, it is
nevertheless playing an ever increasing role in influencing the way in which manufacture and
construction of a project should be carried out, and what type of materials should be avoided in
use. If relevant, the NSSS makes reference to legislation or regulations.

All BSs carry a paragraph in their Foreword stating the position on legal liability if the Standard
is used. The statement at present in use says: Compliance with a British Standard does not of
itself confer immunity from legal obligations. This statement applies equally to the use of the
NSSS.

QUALITY IN CONSTRUCTION

The aim throughout the NSSS is to set a high standard for quality in steelwork construction. This
commitment to high standards and the maintenance thereof can be demonstrated by Steelwork
Contractors having:
a quality system demonstrating a company's management and production controls which,
preferably, has been independently verified by, for example, The Steel Construction
Certification Scheme Ltd [SCCS].
an independent confirmation of a company's financial strength, resources and capability to
undertake a particular type of work or size of project by, for example, registration on the
Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors [RQSC].

These two schemes, SCCS and RQSC, are complementary to each other and are not
interchangeable.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

This is dealt with in Section 11 of the NSSS in which there is a requirement for all work to be
carried out within a quality management system which is capable of ensuring that the Steelwork
Contractor's responsibilities are executed according to the Contract and the Specification [NSSS].

REGISTER OF QUALIFIED STEELWORK CONTRACTORS

The Register's aims are:

to ensure customer satisfaction;
to enable clients to identify appropriate contractors for each project;
to ensure that competing companies can be chosen within a set level of quality and value to
ensure fair and efficient competition;
to provide a system to establish contractors' compatibility with other European schemes and
acceptability to other European countries.

There is the facility for companies to move to a higher class or different categories within the
Scheme if they can fulfil the necessary criteria.

6
The two parts to the Scheme are:

Part 1 – Category. This refers to the type of steelwork for which a company is registered to
undertake the fabrication and the responsibility for any design and erection. Separate categories
cover:

A All forms of building steelwork

B Bridgework - Applicants seeking registration in this category must undergo a
separate Bridgework Audit (see below)
C Heavy industrial plant structures
D High-rise buildings
E Large-span portals
F Medium/small-span portals and medium-rise buildings
H Large-span trusswork
J Major tubular steelwork
K Towers
L Architectural metalwork
M Frames for machinery, supports for conveyors, ladders and catwalks
N Grandstands and stadia
S Small fabrications only

Note - Bridgework Sub-categories can be awarded as follows:

PT: Plate girders (>900mm deep), trusswork (>20m long)
BA: Stiffened complex platework in decks, box girders, arch boxes
CM: Cable-stayed bridges, suspension bridges, other major structures (>100m)
MB: Moving bridges
RF: Bridge refurbishment
FG: Footbridges and sign gantries

Part 2 – Class. Companies are classified by the recommended maximum value of any single
steelwork contract which can be undertaken. Registration also takes account of other financial
criteria such as annual turnover, and experience in steelwork categories registered. The eleven
contract class values are shown below.

Class Steelwork Contract Value Class Steelwork Contract Value

10 Up to £40,000 4 Up to £2,000,000
9 Up to £100,000 3 Up to £3,000,000
8 Up to £200,000 2 Up to £4,000,000
7 Up to £400,000 1 Up to £6,000,000
6 Up to £800,000 0 Above £6,000,000
5 Up to £1,400,000

7
Certification under a Quality Assurance scheme is indicated when applicable. A typical
registration would appear thus:

Class — Size of steelwork contract (0 to 10)

Category QA Registration scheme, viz:
of steelwork
C 4 Q1 Q1 — SCCS Q3 — Lloyds
(A to S)
Q2 — BSI Q4 — Others
Typical registration details
The Specifier wishing to appoint a Steelwork Contractor should designate a minimum registration
level for a particular steelwork contract and should request evidence from the prospective
contractor that its registration meets this requirement.

8
9
 Commentary on Section 1
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY STEELWORK
CONTRACTOR
This section of the NSSS may be considered as the interface between other contract
documentation and the NSSS. It describes information that is needed to undertake the work in
fabricating and erecting steel structures. The Steelwork Contractor can only do the work and
properly fulfil the contract conditions if the necessary technical information is complete and
provided to an agreed programme.

The amount of information needed depends entirely upon the nature of the contract and the
volume of work in it; at one extreme it may be a contract for the design, detail drawing,
fabrication, protective treatment and erection of steelwork in a major project. At the other end of
the scale it may be a simple contract to fabricate unpainted steelwork, designed by others and
from drawings provided by others; all to be erected by someone else. Clearly much more
information is needed for the former contract than for the latter:

Section 1 requires that the information is available in a purpose-made Project Specification

which is produced specifically for each contract and which forms part of the contract
documentation. In simple cases, it may be that the Project Specification is provided in the form
of Design Drawings with appropriate notes. However, it may be that especially in complex cases
even the checklists tabulated in Section 1 are not exhaustive.

Whatever the circumstances of the contract, the quality of the finished steelwork and the speed
and smooth running of the project are dependent on the parties being properly informed.
Assembly of the information listed will be a valuable insurance against argument,
misunderstanding, and financial claims.

INFORMATION FOR THE STEELWORK CONTRACTOR

The information tabulated in Section 1 is that which is pertinent for most forms of contract used
in the steelwork industry. Some of the items listed may be superfluous to some contracts whereas
others, such as the sub-clauses dealing with the programme, will be part of every contract. The
Employer should provide appropriate data to suit the project in hand.

Such information should not only be part of the contract documentation but, preferably, be part of
the tender enquiry documents. Proper allowance can then be made in arriving at the tender price.
If this is not done, the first area of a claim for extra costs in a contract can arise from differences
between the assumptions made when preparing the tender and the information subsequently
given on working drawings or in later documents.

As well as needing to know the quantity and complexity of the work, the Steelwork Contractor
must be able to assess from the information given with the tender enquiry, the requirement for
connection design, the degree of repetition, site conditions and the construction programme. An
accurate tender price responding to these issues can then be prepared.

The Project Specification, being specifically written for the contract, takes precedence over all
other technical specifications, including the NSSS.

10
PARA 1.1 — PROJECT SPECIFICATION FOR STRUCTURAL STEELWORK

The intention is that the Project Specification should begin: The National Steelwork Specification
for Building Construction 4th Edition is included as part of this Project Specification.

Any new or modified specification clauses can follow this statement; they can be given in the
numerical form described below. In this way, the particular matters which are different to the
NSSS can be made clear, preventing time consuming reading and searching.

Clauses which are to be modified should be covered in simple statements, retaining the
numbering system with a suffix 'M' for modifications.

An example is:

The following clauses in the NSSS are amended as shown below

3.2.2M General Arrangement Drawings (Marking Plans)

Drawings shall be prepared by the Steelwork Contractor using CAD workstations. They
shall show plans and elevations at a scale such that the erection marks for all members
can be easily read when the drawing is plotted at A1 size.

3.7M “AS ERECTED” STRUCTURE

On completion of the contract, the Steelwork Contractor shall provide the Employer with
one set of paper prints of "As Erected" drawings comprising:

General Arrangement Drawings,

Fabrication Drawings,
Drawings showing revisions made after fabrication.

In addition a CDROM shall be provided of the General Arrangement Drawings in DXF

format.

New clauses should be introduced with a numbering system following consecutively after the
Specification clauses, and with a suffix letter 'A' as in the following example:

The additional clause given below is to be added to the NSSS for the purposes of this
contract:

5.7A Cruciform Butt Welded Areas

Plates over 10mm thick to be incorporated in cruciform butt welds shall be ultrasonically
tested within 150mm of the weld, before and after welding to ensure that they are free
from laminations.

11
TABLE 1.1 — PROPOSED WORKS - CHECKLIST

If the Steelwork Contractor has a clear picture of the purpose of the building and is aware of its
working environment, it will be easier for him to prepare appropriate design details and
programme fabrication accordingly.

Steelwork which is to be used architecturally and which will be exposed to view should be drawn
to the attention of the Steelwork Contractor. Other areas which deserve special attention by the
Engineer, and which should be communicated to the Steelwork Contractor (as appropriate to his
design responsibilities) are:
where concealed steelwork in cavity walls may be exposed to moisture through
condensation,
if unusual loading patterns or intensities apply,
if greater than normal deflection could be expected,
if there is a possibility of settlement of foundations.

Defining the interface with the work of other trades is also useful. The lack of this type of
information often prevents the proper detail on drawings being prepared and could hold up
fabrication whilst suitable amendments are made.

If steelwork is measured in bills of quantities that are part of the contract documentation, it is
strongly recommended that the bills are cross-referenced to the steelwork design drawings.

(i) — A brief description of the structure

A concise description of the structural form of the building will enable the Steelwork Contractor
to come to terms with the essential facts of the design, including the means by which the designer
expects to provide stability for the structure. The most appropriate details, fabrication and
erection methods can then be developed with less likelihood of missing some important detail. In
terms of stability, there are occasions when the design is such that temporary works are
necessary. An example is where floor beams have been designed compositely, but require
temporary propping until concrete has set.

A description could be:

Five-storey structure with braced end bays enclosed in cavity walls, with simply
supported beams, shear studs welded to the top flange, carrying precast concrete units.
The beams and floor units are designed compositely with in situ concrete placed to form
‘Tee-beam’ construction. Temporary propping will be required for beams over 10m
span.
Or
ALL columns have been sized by fire engineering design methods so that no fire
protection is necessary. The inner faces of columns are exposed inside the finished
structure.

12
(ii) — The intended purpose of the structure
The finished structure will have a functional use that will sometimes be obvious from the title and
drawings, but in other cases a description of the intended purpose may be necessary. This could
simply be a statement such as:

The building is planned for retail shops with offices above.

Or
The structure is to house the production plant for the manufacture of animal foodstuffs,
and there must be no exposed horizontal surfaces where dust can collect.

(iii) — Details of the Site in which the Works will be constructed

A block-plan giving details of Site access for steelwork is a necessity. In addition any
peculiarities of the Site should be made known to the Steelwork Contractor. If, for example, the
Site is at the congested centre of a large chemical plant, rather than an easily accessible area with
no restrictions, the Steelwork Contractor may have to change the procedure for erection. The Site
conditions may also dictate special temporary works being needed to facilitate erection. This
could be, for example, a railway line which is to continue in use where temporary works to the
structure must have sufficient clearance above and around the line. Matters of this nature must be
communicated to the Steelwork Contractor.

Of course, the Steelwork Contractor also has a responsibility for the proper design of temporary
works needed to suit his own erection scheme.

TABLES 1.2A, B AND C — DESIGN - CHECKLIST

The NSSS is not a design specification. However, a responsibility for design may be part of the
steelwork contract. This section deals with the information required to undertake design and for
making detail drawings or preparing electronic data for fabrication. The level of responsibility is
defined under three subtitles.

TABLE 1.2A — When the Steelwork Contractor carries out detailing of the steelwork and
design and detailing of connections based on the member design prepared by the Engineer.

The dividing line between member design and connection design has often been found to be a
grey area in steelwork contracts. For this reason, the NSSS gives a comprehensive list of
information that is considered necessary for connection design to be made by a competent person.

The following notes amplify the list of items given in this clause but it must be remembered that
the best results will be achieved when the connection designer works with the Engineer to
produce the complete design of frame and connections. No matter how sophisticated the global
analysis of the structure has been, the connections are crucial to its strength and stability; they
could negate the design assumptions if the connection designer has not understood the Engineer's
requirements.

13
(i) — The statement describing the design concept
The statement, which might also be referred to as the design philosophy, should make clear the
parameters used for the design. The Engineer needs to communicate the following information
to the Steelwork Contractor:
the basis for setting out the geometry of the frame,
if eccentricity about grid lines has been introduced,
if frame members have been positioned to achieve a particular clearance,
if continuity of construction is required,
if rigid or semi-rigid connections rather than simple connections are to be used,
if a braced frame or wind-moment solution has been adopted,
whether elastic or plastic design analysis was used and hence the location of any plastic
hinges.

The designer of the connections needs to be acquainted with all these facts if the design concept
is to be met.

(ii) — Design Drawings

Design drawings are usually the best method of providing the Steelwork Contractor with
information for connection design and are much preferred to design calculation sheets, computer
output or long descriptive clauses.

A list of Design Drawings should be given in the Project Specification. Subsequent drawings
made as the contract proceeds should be duly marked as being additional to those stated in the
Project Specification, and the Steelwork Contractor advised which drawings have been updated
and revised.

The degree of detail shown on the Design Drawings will of course depend upon the complexity
of the structure, but the disposition of components in relation to each other, or in relation to
essential architectural details, must always be given together with an identification of which
setting out dimensions are critical to the design.

The Design Drawings must also give any special instructions for the safe erection of the structure
perceived by the designer as being necessary due to the nature of the design. These will include
the location of permanent or temporary bracing needed to safeguard the stability of the structure
during erection, if the order and timing of erection may be important. Some components, such as
trusses and deep plate girders, may be unstable until they are properly restrained, and beams in
steel/concrete composite construction may be unstable until the concrete has cured.

It is good practice for the Engineer to provide on the Design Drawings typical details of the
connections he envisaged when making his design. He should give particular attention to unusual
or architecturally sensitive details. The Engineer is responsible for the design of the structure and
this includes a responsibility for the type of connections used. The Steelwork Contractor is
accountable for dimensional and arithmetic accuracy of his own work but the Engineer must
ensure that the connections adopted are compatible with his design.

14
(iii) — The design standards to be used for connection design
The design standard for the connections detailed must be that used for member frame design and
this information should be given to the Steelwork Contractor. The Engineer may wish to
introduce additional requirements of his own to be used for the design of connections. For
example, he may call for lightly loaded members to have connections that will develop at least
15% of the member capacity in shear.

(iv) — The forces, moments and their combination

The forces, moments and their combination should be provided without the detailer having to
study pages of design calculations or computer output. This will help to avoid errors in
determination of the connection design parameters. If the design has been made using limit state
methods it is usual to show reactions as factored forces on the Design Drawings. This should be
stated in a note on the drawing to avoid uncertainty; e.g. Forces shown take account of
appropriate load factors.

The Engineer should also ensure that loadings given for all load cases are compatible at node
positions where several members meet. The connection design cannot be properly made if the
forces in each member are not in equilibrium.

See also the notes referring to foundation fixings and bolts in (xiii).

(v) — Aesthetic, structural or clearance limits

Aesthetic, structural or clearance limits to be observed must be clearly stated as they can have a
significant effect on the cost of fabrication and erection. For instance, the tolerance and surface
appearance requirements in the NSSS are both achievable and consistent with general structural
design requirements. If significantly tighter limits are set, this would require special
manufacturing methods to be employed that might not be readily available.

(v) — Environmental conditions

Any environmental conditions which had to be taken into account in the design of structural
frame will almost certainly apply equally to the design of connections, the selection of fasteners
and the surface treatment to be used. The Engineer should communicate such conditions as are
relevant to the Steelwork Contractor's responsibilities, and these might include:
conditions which will be created by the processes which will take place in the building
when it is used,
greater than normal variation in temperature,
local (micro-environmental) corrosion risks e.g. steelwork in cavity wall positions,
erection access and transport problems.

(vi) — Details and locations of temporary works

As BS 5950-1 makes clear, a single designer needs to take responsibility for the overall stability
of the structure. Only the designer who prepares the member design can ensure structural
stability, and this may rely on using temporary works during construction to safely achieve the
final erected condition. If so, it is essential that this information is made known to the Steelwork
Contractor as early as possible to permit him to plan the erection sequence, and at the pre-tender
stage if it is expected that the tender should be priced to include such temporary works.

15
(vii) — Acceptance
The Commentary on 3.6 describes the process of acceptance. Increasingly the exchange of
information for review is by means of electronic data. This means that whilst the dimensional
consistency of data may be automatically ensured, there will remain the need to decide what
drawings, calculations and other information are needed for the acceptance review.

(viii) — Restriction of methods of manufacture

Design codes sometimes stipulate restrictions in methods of manufacture; for example, where
plastic hinges occur in the structure, it may be a requirement that holes must be drilled and not
punched. In cases such as this, the Steelwork Contractor, who does not have an intimate
knowledge of the design analysis, must be advised of the location of these restrictions, as they
will affect his choice of manufacturing method.

(ix) — Vibrating forces and where fatigue is to be considered

The NSSS as a whole is intended for statically loaded structures. However, if specific
components in a structure are to resist vibrating forces or fatigue loading, then the Project
Specification must draw special attention to the design requirements for the connection of those
components; the accompanying execution specification would also be needed. A typical example
would be a crane gantry that is to be used frequently as part of a production cycle, when full
penetration welds and more critical weld acceptance criteria might be specified.

(x) — Material grade and designation of steel to be used

The choice of material grade and options set out in TABLE 2.1 is wide, and the designer may
wish to restrict what choice is available to the Steelwork Contractor. For example, this may be to
ensure that future alterations to the structure are not complicated by a wide variety of original
materials, or by use of materials that cause difficulties for later work on site to execute
alterations.

(xi) — Stiffening elements

Figure 1.1 is an example where the member design should include consideration of the secondary
stresses arising from connection design. Quite frequently the primary forces in the member must
be known before the need for stiffening elements can be assessed. This is particularly true if
there is an element of continuity at a connection. More often than not, the Steelwork
Contractor will not know the primary forces in the member, so the Engineer should indicate
a n y requirements for local strengthening.

Some indication of these Flange stiffener

requirements should also be design may depend
made available at the time of upon knowing
tender since additional stiffening, primary stresses in
due to circumstances not known the connecting
when quoting, may lead to claims flanges
for recompense.

Figure 1.1 — Flange stiffening

16
(xi) — Notching
Unrestrained beams, which have to be notched where they connect to other members, may be
particularly susceptible to instability. It is therefore necessary for the designer of the member to
state where notches wi ll affect structural integrity (e.g. due to lateral torsional buckling) or where
notches are specifically prohibited. An example can be found in Ref. 2 — Joints in Steel
Construction: Simple Connections.

(xii) — Bolt assemblies

Grade 4.6 and 8.8 ordinary bolt assemblies are both in common use. In the absence of a specific
instruction, most Steelwork Contractors will use one or other at their own discretion, although it
is most common for grade 8.8 to be preferred for all assemblies.

The bolt finish may have to be compatible with the protective treatments used on the steelwork,
and should therefore be specified in the Project Specification.

(xiii) — Fixings or bolts to the foundations

Accurate design and detailing of column base plates and holding down bolts depends upon a
knowledge of the foundation design. Generally the Steelwork Contractor is not given foundation
design details and therefore cannot fully design connections to the concrete foundation.

If the Steelwork Contractor is required to design and detail the foundation fixings it should be so
stated in the Project Specification. The necessary loads and overturning moments must be
provided together with sufficient data about the foundations, e.g. grade of concrete, size of
foundation block and position of reinforcement bars, such that holding down bolt positions, bond
lengths and edge distances can be determined. In these instances it is necessary to state clearly
whether such loads and moments are unfactored or factored values.

The steelwork Foundation Plan is prepared by whoever is undertaking the column base and
holding down bolt design. Such information is needed for both conventional foundations as well
as fixings to walls and other concrete surfaces (see 3.3).

(xiv) — Bedding material (grout)

The completion of the design that connects the steel structure to the foundations includes the
selection of the necessary bedding material (grout), and the Engineer may wish to prescribe the
use of particular materials to ensure consistency with the design of the supporting concrete.

(xv) — Restriction on types of connections to be used

The connection design should conform to any specific restrictions imposed by the Engineer and,
thereafter, should suit the economy of the Steelwork Contractor's own fabrication methods. Any
restriction on types of connections to be used should be made clear; since these will have cost
implications, they should be made known at the time of tender. Such restrictions may arise for
architectural as well as engineering reasons. For instance, a bolted connection in a prominent
location may be considered visually unacceptable, and a more expensive site-welded connection
could then be specified.

17
The selection of member sizes by the Engineer will have a direct effect on the strength of a
connection, and, can control or limit the steelwork fabricators ability to ensure the connection is
strong enough to develop the required load capacity of the selected members. This is especially
the case in structures designed using hollow section members where selection of the member
sizes and grades, together with the local geometry of the connection, will predetermine the joint
capacity. In such cases the Engineer should check that the combination of members selected are
capable of developing sufficient capacity.

As far as possible, the Engineer should allow the Steelwork Contractor discretion to use welded
or bolted connections. This enables the Steelwork Contractor to plan the optimum use of plant
and labour.

(xvi) — Details of cutouts, holes or fittings

If detailed requirements for cutouts or appendages required as fittings for use by other contractors
only become available during the detail drawing stage, or even later, it should be recognised that
there may be a delay in fabrication, and cost penalty for re-handling drawings and material.

It would be unrealistic to expect precise details at the tender stage; nevertheless, some indication
of the details and quantities should be provided. Even if the exact requirements are uncertain, it
is still the preferred practice to give specific (albeit provisional) requirements that can provide the
basis of a firm understanding even if it needs to be varied later. Final details must be made
available in time to suit the Steelwork Contractor's fabrication programme.

(xvii) — Camber and presets

The essence of this requirement is that the Engineer determines the deflection of the structure.
Therefore, any camber or preset to be provided during fabrication must be given in the Project
Specification or on the Design Drawings for the frame to achieve the required profile in service.

(xviii) — Punched holes

Punching holes in steelwork has become more popular with modern numerically controlled
machines in use, and with a relaxation of restrictions imposed by design codes for statically
loaded structures. Areas where restrictions on punching apply must be stated on the drawings.
The specification for punching full size holes is in 4.6.4. This requirement covers similar ground
to TABLE 1.2A(viii).

TABLE 1.2B — When the Steelwork Contractor carries out design and detailing of the
steelwork commencing with design of the members after the conceptual layout has been
prepared.

The role of the Engineer as defined in the NSSS needs clarifying when the design of the members
is undertaken separately from the conceptual design. This is common in Design-and-Build
contracts, and care will be needed to ensure:
that it is clear who has the responsibility for ensuring stability of the overall design as
required by BS 5950-1,
that this responsibility is linked to review of the erection method statement to ensure
stability of the structure and individual members as erection progresses,
that the review and acceptance procedures for drawings are agreed.

18
(i) — The statement describing the design requirements
The design requirements which the Steelwork Contractor will need, when undertaking design in
sizing members to a steelwork layout previously set by the Employer, may include: design
concept (and basis for derivation of loads and moments), provision for mechanical and electrical
services, preferred types of fire protection, provision for proprietary items, information regarding
walls, roofs, ceiling heights and floors and fixing points etc. required on the steel framework.

(ii) — Drawings showing the position of steel components

Drawings showing steel components may be the architectural drawings, process plant drawings,
or drawings indicating clear envelopes to be free of steelwork. Better results are achieved when
there is close cooperation and regular communication between the Steelwork Contractor and the
architect, or other party who has framed the structure.

(iii) — The design standards to be used

The design standard to be used can be left to the discretion of a competent designer; however,
some Employers may wish to state a preference. It is considered that most designers will opt for
using BS 5950, but some are still using BS 449 and some have begun to use Eurocode 3: Design
of Steel Structures.

(iv) — The loading data to be used

The loading data to be used may be a reference to BS 6399, but enough information on walls,
partitions, roof and floors should be given to enable the Steelwork Contractor to properly assess
the self-weight of these items. The designer may be expected to use current BSs for other loading
such as snow and wind unless told otherwise.

(v) — Environmental conditions and aesthetic, structural or clearance limits

Environmental conditions that may affect detail design and drawing and aesthetic, structural or
clearance limits to be observed have already been described in Commentary on TABLE 1.2A(v)
when discussing connection design.

Examples of such limits include particulars of special details, finishes or tolerances such as:
where steelwork is to form an exposed feature - special care may be required in detailing,
and this should be specified,
where tolerances more onerous than those set out in Sections 7 and 9 are required to
accommodate cladding or plant, but it should be noted that it is often economic to consider
the use of adjustable fixings so that normal structural tolerances can still be applied to the
structural frame.

(vi) — Acceptance
Procedures for acceptance have already been described in notes to TABLE 1.2A(vii), and the
care needed to ensure that overall responsibility for stability is clear has been described above.

(vii) — Any restrictions on the material grade and designation of steel to be used
Material grade for steel would normally be left to the Steelwork Contractor providing the design,
but see Commentary on 2.1 for discussion on steel grades and their application.

19
(viii) — Specification of any other material to be used in the Works
Technical specifications should be provided for any non-steel items which are to be supplied by
the Steelwork Contractor.

(ix) — Any non-destructive testing required

Non-destructive testing [NDT] of material other than welds is not included in the NSSS but it is
sometimes needed to ensure the integrity of the connection. An illustration of an additional
clause of this kind, to be written into a Project Specification, is given earlier in this section (see
Commentary on 1.1).

(x) — The deflection limitations to be observed

Different deflection criteria may be required to suit the fixing of cladding, or to control the lateral
displacement of masonry walls. The relationship between deflection, which is determined by the
designer, and permitted deviations for execution, which are controlled by the constructor, is
described in the Commentary on Section 9.

TABLE 1.2C — When the Steelwork Contractor carries out design and detailing of the
steelwork commencing with arranging the layout of members.

A great proportion of single storey building falls into this category. It includes retail shops and
warehouses as well as structures for industrial processes such as those required for chemical
plants and steel mills. When the Steelwork Contractor is providing design services in these areas,
very close liaison with the Employer is essential.

In the case of industrial structures, steelwork costs are frequently a small fraction of the total cost
of the plant and in these circumstances design of steelwork for economy may be overridden by
more important factors affecting the operation of the plant.

(i) — Conceptual drawings of the project

Conceptual drawings may vary from simple sketches, showing no more than the building plan
dimensions and height, to preliminary architectural drawings of a fairly detailed nature. If it is an
industrial building, the drawings may be expected to show the location of plant and the space
available for the building structure.

(ii) — Environmental conditions and aesthetic, structural or clearance limits

Environmental conditions which may have to be considered in preparing the layout and design of
steelwork and aesthetic, structural or clearance limits to be observed have already been described
in Commentary on TABLE 1.2A(v) when discussing connection design.

(iii) — Parameters to be considered in preparing the design layout

Parameters that may affect the design layout include:
designing to accommodate the erection of plant within the structure,
any requirements for clear spans, or limitations on construction depths,
any requirements or restrictions on the location of bracings,
the need to take account of the integrity of deep basements or retaining structures,
difficult erection conditions necessitating limits to component size and weight.

20
(iv) — The design standards to be used
The design standards to be used can be left to the discretion of a competent designer as discussed
in the Commentary on TABLE 1.2B(iii). However, if steelwork has to be designed to suit a
specific requirement, the Engineer will need to specify which design standard is to be used for
such structures or structural elements.

(v) — The loading data to be used

The loading data may be as described in the Commentary on TABLE 1.2B(iv), or as required by
the Employer and developed during the conceptual design stage.

(vi) — Acceptance
Procedures for acceptance have already been described in the Commentary on TABLE 1.2B(vi).

TABLE 1.3 — WORKMANSHIP - CHECKLIST

The principal purpose of the NSSS is to set the normal standards required for good quality
workmanship. The reason for this clause is simply to provide for special workmanship
requirements which may sometimes be needed.

(i) — Hard stamping or other permanent forms of identification

The Steelwork Contractor must be informed if permanent forms of identification, like hard
stamping, are not permitted for aesthetic reasons, or because they would be stress raisers if made
at critical points.

(ii) — Any special welding procedures

Most welding undertaken by the Steelwork Contractor should normally be made to procedures
approved by an independent authority in accordance with Clause 5.3. However, on rare
occasions, the Engineer may wish to specify special procedures for welded details, which have
unusual features concerning material quality, thickness or geometry. He may want to approve
sample welds made to the procedure before work on components proceeds.

(iii) — Special requirements regarding fabrication or erection attachments

Fabrication or erection attachments have to be properly drawn as required by 3.4.2. Welding of
temporary attachments must also be of the same standard as for all permanent welds as stipulated
in 5.4.5. In some cases, removal can be difficult and harmful to the structure and, in general,
provided that such attachments are neat and unobtrusive, they should remain. Nevertheless, the
Engineer may specify removal if he wishes.

(iv) — Any production test plates which are required

Any requirement for production test plates to be tested by the Employer should be stated. When
making butt welds, the Steelwork Contractor may use 'run-on run-off plates' as part of his
welding technique. Sometimes these plates are made of a size suitable also for use as production
test plates to prove the quality of the weld metal. These plates are not normally made available
for testing by others unless this requirement is specified.

21
(v) — Scope of weld inspection
The mandatory scope of weld inspection required by the NSSS is given in TABLE B. As
explained in the Note to 5.5 in the NSSS, the scope of inspection given in the NSSS is intended
to ensure that the Steelwork Contractor can maintain welding processes at an accepted standard
that is generally suitable for structural steelwork.

Any additional project-specific requirements for NDT of welds must be clearly specified by the
Engineer in the Project Specification. The scope of weld inspection included in all previous
editions of the NSSS has now been incorporated as Annex A of BS 5950-2 and is thus still
available for Engineers to use as a reference for identifying critical welds which may require
additional inspection. For instance, sometimes the design of welded connections may be more
intricate than normal and therefore a call for testing of all such joints may be prudent; the
Engineer must request this within the Project Specification.

The Commentary on 5.5 describes the relationship between using a weld-testing regime based on
factory production control checks and final acceptance testing of welds to a project-specific plan.

Trial testing of welded shear studs is often needed, particularly when the studs are site welded
through the steel decking onto the beam below (see 5.6.2(i)).

(vi) — Any special requirements regarding weld acceptance criteria

The weld acceptance criteria given in TABLES C.1 and C.2 have been shown to be adequate for
welds in structures not subject to fatigue or fluctuating loads. Wind loads may cause load
reversal, but in practice the degree and frequency of fluctuation does not give rise to fatigue
problems in orthodox structures. Different acceptance criteria may be specified for welded
steelwork subjected to dynamic loads, such as crane structures. BS 5950-2 recommends the use
of ISO 10721-2 in such cases.

TABLE 1.4 — ERECTION - CHECKLIST

Unless erection of a very simple structure is taking place on a greenfield site, the Employer
should be expected to give comprehensive details about the erection site. The Employer would
generally have support for the provision of this information as follows:
Initially much of this information should be available in the Pre-Tender Health & Safety
Plan prepared under the guidance of the Planning Supervisor.
The Principal Contractor will then develop the Construction Health & Safety Plan.
During these processes the Engineer should have developed a clear idea of a method for
erecting the structure – particularly how stability of the structure and individual members
can be ensured as erection progresses.
The Steelwork Contractor will prepare the definitive Erection Method Statement to form
part of the Construction Health & Safety Plan.

The relationship between these stages is described in Ref. 3 — Guidance Notes: Safer Erection of
Steel-Framed Buildings.

22
(i) — The Site plan
As well as indicating positions of datum levels, setting out points, access, working areas for
cranes and storage areas, the Site plan should indicate other features that may affect erection.
The Steelwork Contractor has the duty to arrange his work accordingly and to take account of
them in the Erection Method Statement.

The other features may include:

proximity to areas of high fire risk,
proximity to an airfield, or railway lines,
proximity of overhead or underground services,
peak traffic loads on adjacent roads,
provision of artificial lighting,
public access areas.

(ii) — Width and level of prepared working area

Properly prepared working areas are essential for the safe operation of cranes and mobile access
equipment. The location and extent of these areas will dictate which plant has to be used and
hence both the sequence and cost of site operations. Access restrictions for cranes will also
dictate the lifting radii for critical lifts and the piece weights that can be lifted. This may thus
dictate design in terms of where members need to be spliced.

The use of mobile access equipment (generally mobile elevating working platforms of the boom
type — ‘MEWPs’ or ‘cherry pickers’) has become the default method of ensuring safe access to
working positions on all Sites where such equipment can be mobilised and at all heights up to
that accessible by the longest reach equipment available. The corollary of this is that, whereas
prepared working areas used to be needed in restricted zones where cranes would stand,
nowadays preparation of working areas covers a much larger proportion of the site. The
obligation placed on the Principal Contractor to ensure that the Site is safely prepared is thus
much more extensive.

(iii) — Availability of Site services

The Steelwork Contractor needs to know what Site services are going to be made available for his
use and where they are located. Details are also required of shared services, such as joint use of
access or cranes, so that he can coordinate his activities with those of other contractors.

(iv) — Any limitations on dimensions or weights of components delivered to the Site

A limit to the size of off-site assemblies may be necessary because of an access restriction at, or
near, the Site. Access will be required for transport to deliver loads to suitable locations for off-
loading. This may dictate a limit on weights that may be delivered over existing groundwork.

The length of vehicles used may be critical to the Site access, and note should be made about
impediments to access that may be caused by any low bridges on routes leading to the Site.

23
(v) — Any design features which would affect the construction sequence
If the design features are unusual or unconventional, any structural stability problems recognized
by the Engineer should be communicated to the Steelwork Contractor. In such cases it will be
necessary for the Engineer to describe the intended erection sequence he envisaged when
preparing the design. See also Commentary on TABLE 1.4(vii).

(vi) — Details of underground services, overhead cables, or site obstructions

Details of underground services, overhead cables, or any other site obstructions that may be
encountered during erection, should be clearly shown on the Site plan. It may also be appropriate
to provide a 'clearance envelope' or to indicate measures being taken to protect underground
services. If the Site is contoured such that erection could be affected, this information should also
be communicated appropriately on the Site plan.

(vii) — An outline of the method of erection

The advent of computer-assisted methods of design analysis has enabled designers to create
unusual and attractive structures that are highly indeterminate with several degrees of
redundancy. However, the sequence of erecting components and the erection method envisaged
is not always obvious; and an outline of the method of erection must be provided by the designer.
The Commentary on TABLE 1.4(v) above deals with the necessity of ensuring stability of the
structure during all stages of erection, but there may also be other precautions necessary to ensure
that particular components are not over-stressed during erection.

Although the Steelwork Contractor is responsible for safe erection, he cannot be expected to
know intuitively all about steelwork which is based on a new concept created by the Engineer.
He is entitled to guidance on how the structure was expected to be built; this is an important
obligation on the Designer under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations.

Other constraints envisaged by the Employer or the Engineer, such as phased erection
programmes, or erection taking place on more than one front, must be made clear.

(viii) — Description of any temporary work and any special requirements

The Engineer should not presume that the Steelwork Contractor has any knowledge of the
assumptions made in the design process, or of those regarding the behaviour of the structure.

Information should be provided when and where special requirements are needed for temporary
works such as bracing or propping. This could be a requirement to brace until concrete floors,
which act as horizontal diaphragms, are in position, or until a stressed skin structure is clad.
Columns in portal structures may require restraint at base level until adjustable foundation bolts
have been grouted in position.

Temporary propping of beams may also be needed in composite steel/concrete construction, or

where they are supported by brickwork that has not attained its strength. Occasionally the wind
forces can be greater on the bare frame, or partly clad frame, than on the completed building (see
Ref. 4 and BS 6399-2). Care may have to be exercised by the Employer to prevent following
trades stacking their materials indiscriminately on the framework.

The stage of construction when the frame is stable without temporary bracing should be indicated
so that the Steelwork Contractor knows when the temporary bracing can be removed.

24
(ix) — Responsibilities at the interface between the steelwork and other trades
The interface between the Steelwork Contractor and other Contractors on Site must be made clear
by the Employer; it is particularly important that they are accounted for in the construction
programmes. There must also be a clear definition of responsibilities in matters concerning
safety; for example, responsibility for the provision of scaffolding and handrailing and provision
of temporary access for each contractor. Safety considerations may make it necessary for the
Principal Contractor to programme for exclusion zones to be defined for the sole use of the
Steelwork Contractor.

(x) — The Safe Site Handover Certificate

Section 8 of the NSSS on erection includes safety on the erection Site. Any other circumstances
which may affect safety or site operations that may not be obvious to the Steelwork Contractor
must be brought to his attention. It is not sufficient simply to call upon him to visit the Site and
expect him to seek out such matters that are relevant to safe erection. Note should also be taken
of the CDM Regulations discussed in the Commentary on Section 8.

To facilitate the understanding of what constitutes a safe site for the erection of structural
steelwork, the BCSA publishes a Safe Site Handover Certificate (Ref. 5) that should be used as a
checklist of what is needed.

TABLE 1.5 — PROTECTIVE TREATMENT - CHECKLIST

The NSSS does not give a menu of coating specifications from which a surface treatment can be
chosen. The requirements to be given in the Project Specification can either be given in
performance terms or as prescriptive specifications for the surface preparation and any
subsequent protective treatment. As the choice of coating system(s) has a significant effect on
the fabrication, transport and erection processes, it has become more common for the Employer
to provide a performance specification that then allows the Steelwork Contractor to select the
actual products to be used. Section 10 of the NSSS has been written in performance terms. This
procedure also allows the Steelwork Contractor to work with a preferred partner for supply of the
protective treatment products. If any difficulties are then experienced with treatment, these are
more readily resolved using the single sourcing assumed in the NSSS (see 10.1.1(ii)). This
procedure also allows the Steelwork Contractor to match the performance of:
shop-applied treatments to fabricated steelwork,
coatings pre-applied by suppliers during manufacture of fasteners (see 10.5.3) and specialist
products such as purlin systems,
work undertaken on-site to site weld areas (see 10.5.3), to rectify any damaged coatings and
if top coats need to be applied there.

Guidance on various coatings including their life and maintenance characteristics is available in
'Steelwork Corrosion Protection Guides' and in several publications from Corus, BCSA, The
Paint Manufacturers Association and the Zinc Information Centre.

25
The most fundamental issues to be considered with respect to protective treatments are:
the life expected of the structure,
the environmental conditions that will be experienced by the various parts of the structure,
what maintenance regime for the protective treatment is practical,
whether the objective is protection against corrosion, fire or both,
whether there are architectural or engineering constraints on the choice of protective
treatment, for example, choice of colour or surface appearance of top coats, or providing
top coats that are readily cleanable.

The general choices are:

no treatment necessary, for example when steelwork is to be embedded in concrete (see
10.6),
surface preparation only with no further treatment (see 10.2),
sprayed metal coatings (see 10.3),
hot-dip galvanizing (see 10.4),
paint treatments that may include fire-resistant intumescent coatings (see 10.5).

Suggested paint systems are given in the table at Annex B.

(i) — Requirement for surface preparation

The choice of surface preparation method is left to the Steelwork Contractor, as he needs to
ensure that the surface is suitable for the application of any subsequent treatment. Occasionally,
the Engineer may have additional particular requirements. For example, the surface preparation
method can affect the final appearance of visually exposed steelwork, which could be important
architecturally. In such cases it is often wise for the Engineer to ask for a trial sample to be used
later as a benchmark. The provision of trial samples from procedure tests is useful generally for
protective treatment systems that are also required to meet aesthetic criteria.

(ii) — Thickness and composition of sprayed metal coatings

The Engineer will need to be satisfied that the thickness and composition of metal spray is clearly
specified. The decision about what metal can be influenced by the in-service conditions, the need
for maintenance, and the likelihood of galvanic action between dissimilar metals placed in
contact by the construction details. Guidance is provided in PD 6484: Commentary on corrosion
at bimetallic contacts and its alleviation.

(iii) — Any requirements for galvanizing

Galvanizing is a popular option for many industrial structures and for exposed structures such as
plant-supporting steelwork. The Galvanizers Association issues a Zinc Millennium Map that
assists the specifier to relate performance requirements in terms of the risk of atmospheric
exposure to the prescriptive requirements for galvanized coatings. Also, the Engineer and
Steelwork Contractor need to be satisfied that the components are suitable for galvanizing in
terms of design and materials. Again, the Galvanizers Association can provide published and
verbal guidance on this, as can specialist galvanizing companies. There can be conditions that
conspire to facilitate the occurrence of cracking of steelwork associated with galvanizing.
Guidance on steps to take to avoid such conditions or to reduce the risk is given in Refs. 6 and 7.

26
(iv) — Any requirements for paint treatment
The generic types of paint treatment are numerous, and for every generic type there are several
manufacturers who can supply products. The most commonly specified options for off-site or
shop protective treatments are:
organic paint treatments by brush or spray (these can be priming only, or complete or
partially complete coatings),
duplex treatments with metallic and organic paint coatings.

The common options for site protective treatments are:

no further treatment,
hand touch-up of primers and applying finishing coats after erection,
complete treatment system on site after erection including surface preparation.

The system to be used for the protection for bolts must be compatible. This is generally bright
zinc plating, galvanizing or sheradizing. The specifications for electroplated, galvanized and
sheradized coatings on metal fasteners is given in BS EN ISO 4042, BS 7371-6 and -8
respectively. Compatibility between the treatment on the fasteners and that on the surrounding
steelwork is important, and the Galvanizers Association provides a guide on Hot Dipped
Galvanized Nuts & Bolts. If fasteners are protected with a film of oil this must be removed prior
to painting.

Data sheets provided by paint suppliers will specify the required nominal paint thickness and
acceptance criteria. A schedule of inspections at each stage of application should be planned.
This may be given in the paint manufacturer’s data sheets, the Project Specification or be part of
the paint applicator’s quality system. These, together with the data sheets and the inspection
plan, comprise the basic information needed for inclusion in the method statement required by
10.1.2.

(v) — Responsibility for touch-up of damaged areas and cleaning of surface treatments on
site
If the painting contract is split, clear definition is required of the responsibility for cleaning down
and repair of any damage that becomes apparent on site. It is usually more sensible and
economic to have repairs carried out in the site-painting contract but, in either case, the paint
system must be 'repairable'.

(vi) — Requirements for fire protective coating

There is an increasing usage of intumescent coatings for fire protection, and for these to be
applied off-site. Hence, the Engineer should consider the potential advantages of specifying off-
site application of fire protection that can lead to shorter and more reliable programme times,
better control of quality, fewer trades on site and thus improved overall economy.

27
TABLE 1.6 — INSPECTIONS & TESTS - CHECKLIST

(i) — Inspections or tests to be carried out or witnessed by the Employer, Engineer or

Inspection Authority
The Steelwork Contractor must be informed in the Project Specification if any of the tests
required by the NSSS, or additional tests, are to be witnessed by the Employer, the Engineer or an
Inspection Authority.

If the Employer intends to appoint an independent inspector, this requirement must be clearly
defined because the timing and extent of testing can cause delay and increase costs (see 11.2).

(ii) — The period of advance notice required for these additional requirements
Neither party wants to waste time, so the period of advance notice required for these additional
inspections or tests should also be stated.

TABLE 1.7 — PROGRAMME - CHECKLIST

(i) — The date(s) of issue of the Design Drawings or data for construction
The key to achieving completion of the erected frame in the specified time is undoubtedly the
release of the construction issue of the Design Drawings (or the equivalent electronic data) at the
agreed date or, for large projects, the phased release dates given by the Employer at the tender
stage, and the elimination of subsequent changes as far as possible. If further design
development makes changes necessary to member sizes or dimensional adjustment, after the
release of design information, claims for additional costs will arise.

(ii) — The period to be provided for acceptance of submitted information

The Contract Documents should include a statement of the period for the acceptance of the
Fabrication Drawings. It should show a time in working days from receipt of drawings by the
Engineer to comment being given. The time allocated should make due allowance for
transmission time. It should also make allowance for any need for the Engineer to comment on
design calculations submitted in support of the Fabrication Drawings (e.g. for connections).

The acceptance period should not be assumed to be a period allowed for response to requests for
information [RFIs] or as a period in which changed requirements are expected. It is not possible
in advance to set a specific limit on the period allowable for responding to RFIs, as some could
immediately affect the Steelwork Contractor’s ability to maintain programme, and would thereby
lead to an application for an extension of time under the contract. Generally, it is only after the
RFI has been answered that the Steelwork Contractor is in a position to assess its impact on
programme from varied work content and delayed issue of construction information.

28
(iii) — The date(s) by which the Site is expected to be ready
The Steelwork Contractor needs to know the state of the Site, when he can start checking
foundations and when he can commence delivery to site. The date by which the Site is expected
to be ready must allow erection to commence as planned, taking account of time required for any
necessary remedial work to be carried out on the foundations. This is necessary to avoid double-
handling material that has been fabricated to meet an agreed programme.

(iv) — The proposed starting and completion dates for erection of steelwork
Normally the dates for commencement and completion of erection will have been agreed at
tender acceptance stage between the Employer and Steelwork Contractor. The content of what
needs to be agreed in this programme is included as a definition in the NSSS. The detail of this
programme is most often prepared by the Steelwork Contractor in the form of a bar chart to
comply with the constraints imposed by the Principal Contractor’s master contract programme.

If a phased programme is necessary, care should be taken to ensure that the time for each phase
does not cause unplanned breaks in activity or periods of overlap.

In planning the steelwork erection programme the Steelwork Contactor will need to be told when
following contractors are due to start and what requirements they have agreed with the Employer
or Engineer in terms of completed steelwork, and when access by others to any exclusion zone
allocated to the Steelwork Contractor will be authorised.

29
 Commentary on Section 2
MATERIALS
The essence of Section 2 is that materials must conform to a BS or, as is increasingly becoming
the case, must accord with the European Standard, which replaces the BS. However, reference
must still be made to the BS if a European Standard has not been issued. The BS for a product
may still be used until it is officially withdrawn. European ‘EN’ Standards are adopted for use in
the UK with ‘BS EN’ numbering.

The advent of European Standards for steel products has resulted in an increase in the number- of
Standards. Whereas one Standard previously dealt with all requirements of the product, it will
now be found that steel qualities, dimensions and tolerances appear in different Standards.
However, it is anticipated that the technical delivery conditions of the material quality for all hot
rolled structural steel products (except hollow sections) will be incorporated into a single
Standard BS EN 10025.

As new, replacement or revised Standards are issued, New Steel Construction, published bi-
monthly, jointly by BCSA and the Steel Construction Institute [SCI], lists details of the Standards
that are relevant to steel construction.

Cold rolled purlin sections and other cold rolled products are not specifically mentioned in
Section 2. This is because they are usually supplied is proprietary items from manufacturers who
specialise in their production. However, reference can be found in TABLE 2.1 of the NSSS to
the steel material to be used for such components.

2.1 — MATERIAL QUALITIES

TABLE 2.1 of the NSSS shows the appropriate BS EN or BS when the NSSS was last published
in May 2002.

It should be noted that the BS ENs designate steel grades by an approximation to the nominal
yield strength of the steel prefixed with 'S'; the designations design grade 43 and design grade 50
are now obsolete and are no longer used in BS 5950-1. For reference when dealing with older
publications, Figure 2.1 shows the equivalent designation to be found in BS ENs and in former
BSs.

The commonly used steels Current design Former design Former product standards
are grades S275 and S355 for and product standard
which there are a number of standards
sub-grades. The latter refer BS 5950-1: 2000 BS 5950-1: 1990 BS EN 10025 BS 4360
principally to notch and BS ENs from 1990
1993
toughness qualities, but also
include letters that refer to the S275 Design Grade 43 Fe 430 43
process route and weathering
properties.
S355 Design Grade 50 Fe510 50

Figure 2.1 — Steel grades

30
BS 5950-1 states that the minimum service temperature of internal steelwork in the UK may be
taken as -5° Celsius. On this basis, much of the steel used may be expected to be either S275JR
(previously design grade 43B) or S355JR (previously design grade 50B). Hot-finished hollow
sections are mostly supplied to meet a J2 sub-grade as a basic quality. However, if the
component is a tension member, it may require a Charpy impact value in line with one of the
other steel sub-grades as a precaution against brittle fracture. The appropriate choice of material
can be found in clause 2.4.4 and Tables 4 and 5 of BS 5950-1 where a full listing of the steel
qualities in terms of both grade and sub-grade is given. As stated in the Note to 2.1, care should
be taken to give the full designation on drawings and other paper or electronic documentation to
ensure that those purchasing and supplying the steel also understand the appropriate sub-grade.

It is not uncommon for the Engineer to issue Design Drawings that identify the grade but not the
sub-grade required. This can lead to errors and is not a recommended practice. However, if it
occurs it does not relieve the Steelwork Contractor of the obligation to ensure that the correct
sub-grade is purchased. In such circumstances it is recommended that an RFI is issued requesting
the Engineer either to confirm the appropriate sub-grades or to confirm the minimum service
temperatures, stress levels and other relevant parameters so that the appropriate sub-grade can be
selected using Tables 3, 4 and 5 of BS 5950-1.

The exceptions to the general rules about which design grade quality to use are:
Floor walkway plates in plain or Durbar pattern. If properly stiffened or if designed to
span nominal distances, walkway plates are not usually highly stressed, as deflection is the
controlling criteria. In these circumstances the Engineer may permit the use of a
'commercial quality steel' with a tensile strength not less than 355 N/mm2. BS 4592 gives
further advice on all materials involved in industrial metal flooring, walkways and stair
treads.
Cold-formed hollow sections. The calculation of structural capacity for cold-formed
material has a slightly different basis from that for hot-finished material; for example,
sectional dimensions and physical properties are different. When considering the use of
cold-formed hollow sections for primary structural members, it is recommended that
appropriate care is taken its design and use as noted in the Commentary on 2.11 (see also
New Steel Construction dated June/July 1996, page 30 and July/August 2002 page 38).

2.2 — MATERIAL TESTING

The purpose of this clause is to draw attention to the fact that testing of steel by the manufacturer
is a requirement of all steel material quality Standards listed in TABLE 2.1. The testing
requirement includes a chemical analysis of the steel and determination of the yield strength and
the tensile strength [UTS]. Material elongation is also included as a percentage, and is a measure
of the steel's ductility. Charpy impact tests are also required for all sub-grades.

Unless otherwise required, manufacturers of steel products may provide assurance that their
products meet the specified properties either on a ‘non-specific’ process control basis or on a
‘specific’ inspection and test basis. In the former, quality control checks on the manufacturing
processes are carried out periodically to a defined quality plan, and the manufacturer declares
conformity with the product Standard by issuing an inspection document termed a ‘type 2.2 test
report’. The ‘2.2 test report’ is a declaration by the manufacturer that his process has been
regularly checked and it can produce products that meet the product Standard. However, those

31
relying on such inspection documents should be aware that the test results quoted may not
necessarily be from tests that directly relate to the product actually supplied.

If ‘specific’ inspection and test is undertaken then the manufacturer can provide a type 3.1B
inspection certificate, and the properties declared on the test certificate are directly related to
material in the same lot or cast as that supplied. For this reason 2.2 requires that steel should be
specifically tested as does BS 5950-2.

2.3 — DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES

The dimensional accuracy of steel rolled sections is set by the steel manufacturer's rolling
equipment and method of manufacture; it is not something that the Steelwork Contractor can
change. Based on steel product Standards, the tolerances referred to in the NSSS give the
permissible deviations of sections with respect to their shape, mass, length and straightness.

The tolerances with respect to the geometrical dimensions and mass are reproduced for
convenience in Figure 2.2.

32
Figure 2.2 — Tolerances for Universal Beams and Column Sections

33
It is only when preparing precise details for connections, architectural details etc. that the
variations in Figure 2.2 need be taken into account. Generally, sections are well within their
shape tolerance and this does not pose a difficulty ( s e e al s o Co m m e n t a r y on 3 . 4 . 4 ) . It is not
possible to have a section shape with every dimension at one extreme of the limits given in
Figure 2.2, as it would fall outside the limitation on mass.

Any under-rolling with respect to thickness is generally offset by the yield strength being higher
than the guaranteed minimum. Thus, the section properties, which are based on the sectional
dimensions in the BS EN and given in the various publications from BCSA, SCI and Corus, are
suitable for design purposes.

Rolled asymmetric beams [ASBs] are now included in TABLE 2.1. Whilst these are proprietary
products without a steel product Standard, they are supplied by Corus to the comparable
Standards listed in TABLE 2.1.

The notes to TABLE 2.1 explain that it may be necessary to specify certain ‘options’ offered in
the steel product Standards. These allow purchasers to specify properties such as a carbon
equivalent value [CEV] that is not mandatory under the standard specification. As it may be
assumed that all steel structures will require weldable steel, the option to specify CEV would
always need to be invoked when materials are selected by the designer and purchased by the
Steelwork Contractor. Helpfully, the 2003 amendments to BS EN 10025 will provide guaranteed
maximum CEV values for all structural [S] steel grades with no future need to specify an option.

2.4 — TEST CERTIFICATES

The onus is placed on the Steelwork Contractor to ensure that all the steel he uses in the contract
can be related to a manufacturer's certificate or declaration of conformity. This includes steel
which is obtained from a stock holder as well as that delivered directly from the mills. As it is
now common for these certificates to be issued electronically, and for Steelwork Contractor’s to
resource steel on a single source basis ‘just-in-time’ from a supplier with a certified quality
assurance system, the requirement is that the Steelwork Contractor “shall have access to” the
certificates without needing to obtain them physically.

The format of test certificates can be found in BS EN 10204 'Metallic Products - Types of
Inspection Documents', and structural steel sections submitted to specific inspection should be a
type 3.1B inspection certificate.

4.1.1 requires that, at the commencement of manufacture, all steel to be used must have a test
certificate reference and be traceable to the certificate. However, there is no requirement for
each finished element in the structure to be traceable to a particular certificate.

A typical inspection certificate type 3.1B for a Universal Beam is illustrated in Figure 2.3.
Inspection documents issued by Corus UK for beam or column structural sections or plates will
contain either an embossed seal, or be impregnated with a Corus UK Ltd watermarked logo, or a
combination of both. Any recipient of a copy of such a certificate without the seal or
watermarking should ensure from the supplier that it is a true and accurate reproduction of the
original. Inspection documents of type 3.1B issued by Corus for structural hollow section
products are produced in a form suitable for electronic distribution and carry the following
statement:

This document has been prepared by a computer system and is valid without signature.
34
 In the event of doubt about authenticity of any Corus inspection document, the details on
the certificate can be validated by reference to the Corus manufacturing business quoting
the unique certificate number given on the certificate.

Note: Alterations to manufacturer’s inspection document or its use for other products
shall be regarded as falsification of documents and be subject to criminal jurisdiction.

Figure 2.3 — Typical Inspection Certificate

2.5 — SURFACE CONDITION

This clause is mainly designed to ensure that steel used in a contract is not heavily rusted or
pitted. It refers to BS 7079 Part A1, which requires a visual assessment of surface condition to be
made prior to fabrication. Sometimes a surface may require cleaning to permit this inspection to
take place. This BS (dual numbered as BS 7079-A1 and ISO 8501-1) shows representative
photographs of surface appearance after various cleaning methods; and 2.5(i) of the NSSS
stipulates rust Grade C as the minimum surface quality.

2.5(ii) and (iii) deal with other surface imperfections that may be revealed during surface
cleaning; rectification is also covered in the Standards. It will be found that, in some cases,
surface grinding will suffice, whereas in others, welding followed by grinding will be necessary.
Whilst such repairs are structurally acceptable, those seeking a particular aesthetic appearance
may find the need to supplement the standard specification for surface condition (see TABLE
1.2B(v) etc).

35
2.6 — WELDING CONSUMABLES

The use of correct welding materials is essential to the achievement of satisfactory welds. Clause
2.6.1 advises the BSs for consumables used for manual metal arc, gas shielded arc, and
submerged arc welding processes, while 2.6.2 gives the requirements for storage of welding
consumable materials.

Covered electrodes are susceptible to moisture, which can then be the cause of hydrogen cracking
if used in a damp state. It is, therefore, essential to store them in dry and warm conditions as
specified in BS EN 1011-1. The issue of welding electrodes to welding operators should be
controlled to ensure that the correct electrode is used and that they have not become damp before
use.

2.7 — STRUCTURAL FASTENERS

Details of the appropriate BS ENs and BSs applicable to bolt assemblies used in the structural
steelwork industry are given in 2.7.1 to 2.7.5. TABLES 2.2 to 2.6 list the combinations of bolts,
nuts and washers that are suitable. Care should be taken when referring to these tables, as the
Notes are extensive. Also, it should be noted that BS terminology has changed such that “Grade”
becomes “Class”, and “HSFG” when referred to an installed bolt has become “Pre-loaded” or
“Preloaded” in the BS ENs (and sometimes “Pre-loadable” when referred to the bolt as supplied).
The latter change is sensible, as bolts are not always preloaded to generate compressive forces
between faying surfaces thus creating a friction grip connection; they may be preloaded to
prevent the assembly loosening under fluctuating loads as an alternative to using lock nuts.

As can be seen from the tables, the transition from BS to BS EN specifications is not complete
and some fasteners can be sourced to either system. This process is continuing and some BSs
listed will be withdrawn in the future as BS ENs become available to supersede them.

To ensure compatibility, it is often sensible to purchase assemblies from a single supplier. This
will be increasingly important when fastener assemblies are available with CE Marking by the
supplier declaring conformity with product test specifications, as the testing measures
performance of complete assemblies.

In 2.7.6 the responsibility for the supply of fasteners with specified coatings is placed on the
manufacturer. The purpose of this is to ensure that the manufacturer safeguards the product
against any applications of heat when applying the coatings that might affect the steel properties.
BS 7371 covers the various protective coatings that may be used on metal fasteners (see
Commentary on TABLES 1.5 and 2.9). Special care is needed with higher grade/class fasteners
that are more susceptible to embrittlement from hydrogen released during certain coating
processes.

Fully threaded bolts, technically referred to as screws, are now specifically dealt with in the
NSSS, and their use is encouraged. Additional safety on site and considerable economies can be
achieved by detailing connections with a rationalised range of fully threaded bolts, and the
following range is recommended:

36
 Grade Diameter Lengths (mm)
4.6* M12 25
8.8 M16 30 45
8.8 M20 45 60**
8.8 M24 70 85 100

* Intended for use in fixing cold rolled purlins and rails

** It is estimated that 90% of bolts used in a typical structural frame can be 8.8
M20 x 60 fully threaded bolts

The normal washer, when required, for structural steelwork is 'Form E' as described in BS 4320
'Specification for metal washers for general engineering purposes'. These are 'Normal' washers,
as opposed to 'Large' or 'Extra Large' washers, which are also included in the Standard.

Washers suitable for use with holding down bolts are 'Extra Large' type (Form G). They are
thicker than other washers, and have an outside diameter that is approximately three times the
bolt diameter.

Foundation bolt assemblies (see 2.7.3)

Foundation bolt assemblies refers to holding down bolt assemblies, but not all such assemblies
are used ‘holding down’; some may be used as wall bolts, although it is more common to use
proprietary anchor bolts for the latter (see 9.1.4 and 9.1.5). In general, the use of the terms
‘foundation bolts’, ‘holding down bolts’ and ‘anchor bolts’ is not intended to be restrictive.
Engineers and Steelwork Contractors should use common sense if possible anomalies of usage
apply, and inspection of the relevant Design or Erection Drawings should clarify what is
intended.

2.8 — SHEAR STUDS

BS EN ISO 13918: Welding. Studs and ceramic ferrules for arc stud welding has only recently
been issued, and the requirements given in 2.8 of the NSSS should be interpreted in terms of the
provisions of BS EN ISO 13918.

2.9 — PROTECTIVE TREATMENT MATERIALS

Details of the appropriate Standards for blast cleaning materials, sherardized coating and zinc for
galvanizing are given, but the Standards for paint treatments and other coatings are not stated.
The Commentary to TABLE 1.5 notes that there is a move towards the use of performance
specifications. This then places the obligation for supplying suitable paint products with the
specialist suppliers who can also be asked to provide warranties about their proprietary products,
and to verify that they are being properly applied.

37
The intention is that all coating materials used in protective treatment systems are in accordance
with the recognised Standard for the material. Standards commonly referred to are:
BS EN ISO 1461 Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles.
Specifications and test methods (supersedes the withdrawn BS 729
referred to in the NSSS)
BS 3698 Specification for calcium plumbate priming paints
BS 4147 Specification for bitumen based hot applied coating materials for
protecting iron and steel, including suitable primers where required
BS 4652 Specification for zinc-rich priming paint (organic media)
BS 4800 Schedule of paint colours for building purposes
BS 4921 Specification for sherardized coatings on iron or steel
BS EN 22063 Metallic and other inorganic coatings. Thermal spraying. Zinc,
aluminium and their alloys.

2.10 — PROPRIETARY ITEMS

It is common for many different proprietary items to be specified by the Employer and supplied
as part of a steelwork contract. These may include types of roofing materials, cladding and
glazing, as well as specialist coating materials for surface protection or fire protection.

The NSSS simply requires the Steelwork Contractor to ensure that all proprietary items are used
in the manner prescribed by the manufacturer.

If the Engineer specifies proprietary items on behalf of the Employer, it is his responsibility to
ensure that they are appropriate for their intended use.

2.11 — SUBSTITUTION OF MATERIAL OR FORM

From time to time it may be prudent or necessary to change materials from those specified.
There may be good reasons for doing this such as availability of materials, or so that certain
section sizes can be ordered in larger quantities to avoid the penalty of higher costs per unit for
small quantities. It can be demonstrated that the process of rationalising the range of sections
used in a project can lead to considerable benefits.

Provision is made here for such substitutions, but they may only be made with the agreement of
the Engineer.

The Engineer must decide whether to allow a substitution after considering all the design
parameters and programme requirements as well as any legal and contractual aspects.

It should be noted that hot-rolled and cold-formed hollow sections are seldom directly
interchangeable. If the design shows 'hollow sections', then it must be assumed that 'hot-finished
hollow sections' are required unless further enquiries are made (see Commentary on 2. 1 for
further notes).

38
39
 Commentary on Section 3
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE STEELWORK
CONTRACTOR
Section 3 anticipates the use of either the ‘traditional’ paper drawings or the use of computer
modelling or a combination of both. The information contained in a computer model may be
transmitted to others either as electronic data directly or transferred onto paper as drawings, lists
etc. The choice will depend on the purpose to be served. In general there are three purposes:
to issue for execution (purchasing, fabrication and erection) (see 3.4 and 3.5),
to submit for review by the Engineer and/or Employer (see 3.6),
to serve as a record for the Employer of what has been erected (see 3.7).

Review by the Engineer and/or Employer may include the need to ensure that the information is
suitable for onward transmission to other trade contractors working for the Employer, such as
those providing the foundations (see 3.3).

If a computer is used to build a virtual model of the steel structure that is complete in all physical
details relevant to steel construction, this changes the emphasis of how information is used
compared with traditional practice as follows:
the computer programme should ensure inter-consistency between dimensions, such that a
bolt hole group shown on a beam connection matches exactly the dimensioning for the
corresponding group on the column to which it connects,
similarly, lengths of members shown on detail drawings should be automatically correct
with respect to the general arrangement drawings
if connections are designed automatically by the program, by selection from standard
connection manuals or by using calculation routines based on design codes, the connection
performance should correspond to the performance specified in terms of the forces,
moments and combinations (see Commentary on TABLE 1.2A(iv)).

The effect of this in-built capacity for self-checking by computer modelling relieves the
Steelwork Contractor and the Engineer of a lot of the detailed chores associated with checking
traditional paper drawings. However, it changes the emphasis of the information exchange
between the Engineer/Employer and the Steelwork Contractor, because as the computer will
process the information issued by the Engineer and/or Employer much more quickly, there is a
more urgent need to ensure that the construction issue information needed by the Steelwork
Contractor is accurate and complete initially (see Commentary on TABLES 1.2A, B or C as
appropriate).

Section 3 is intended to apply to all drawings made as part of the Contract by the Steelwork
Contractor. It aims to ensure that they are clear and legible and made to a recognised format.

Although produced primarily for fabrication and erection, the drawings must also be clear and
unambiguous to the Engineer. However, the Steelwork Contractor is not obliged to add
additional information to the drawing to assist the Engineer. In other words the drawing need
only show what is necessary for steelwork fabrication and erection and for the Steelwork
Contractor's own checking procedures (see the provisions in 3.2.2).

40
The drawings have a critical role to play in the execution of the contract because they are still the
principal way of transferring information, and it is a golden rule that the Steelwork Contractor's
workforce does not depart from what is shown on the drawings.

Design drawings by the Engineer feature in TABLE 1.2A(ii) and are equally important to the
success of a steelwork contract. The Steelwork Contractor is entitled to expect that such
drawings are made to a similar standard and quality as the fabrication and erection drawings.

3.1 — INFORMATION SYSTEM

BS 1192: Construction drawing practice is no longer referenced in the NSSS and its use has
largely been superseded by electronic systems of preparing drawings. It is important that the
standards and conventions used by electronic systems are clear and unambiguous, and BS 1192-5
provides guidance for the structuring and exchange of CAD data. The quality of drawings
printed by such systems should match that previously achieved by manual methods using BS
1192. Conventions for welding symbols should follow BS EN 22553 and references to welding
processes should follow BS EN ISO 4063.

More comprehensive information on making drawings can be found in Ref. 8 — T he St e el

D e t a i l e rs ' M a n u a l .

Manual revisions to drawings should still be indicated by a new suffix letter added to the drawing
number. Details of the revision must also be adequately described in the notes on the drawing. It
is not sufficient to state "revised", or "general revisions". A brief, but specific description of
changes made should be shown in a section of the drawing devoted to revisions. A comparable
version control system is needed for controlling changes of information produced electronically.

Although not specified in the NSSS, it is

good practice to provide a 'cloud' around a
revision so that it will be easily seen when
the drawing is being read. For example, a
revised dimension may be shown as in
Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1 — System for indicating revisions

It is stipulated in 3.1 that the information system must have a means of controlling the issue of
revised information and withdrawal of the superseded information.

3.2 — GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF COMPONENTS

General Arrangement [GA] Drawings are generally used essentially as marking plans and are
therefore the key drawings for the erection of the structure. For this reason, the NSSS places an
emphasis on the requirement that all members have a clear marking system that ensures that they
are easy to locate.

41
A typical GA Drawing with unique member references is shown in Figure 3.2. The position of
the mark, on the face of a column and end of the beam, determines the physical direction of the
member when erected. In the example illustrated, the column marks are on the East face and the
beam marks are consistently at the North end, or East end, of the member. This facilitates
erection since the erector can then orientate the member without having to examine the drawings.

Columns may be identified with an 'S' mark enabling identical columns to have the same mark, or
by using the plan grid reference coordinate as the stanchion mark for that member. (Both
systems are shown in Figure 3.2.)

Figure 3.2 — Part of a typical GA floor plan

Dimensions should be given on the drawing to all grid lines with any eccentricities indicated.
Beam levels should be plainly shown. This may be by reference to a finished floor level with a
distance above or below it given, or another clearly understood system. Raking and sloping
members should also be properly located with principal dimensions. Enlarged details should be
provided if necessary to ensure proper location.

For large structures when the GA Drawing comprises several sheets, it is expedient to show a key
plan of the part drawing in relation to the whole. It is also useful to include on the GA a note of
the last mark used for each type of component so that new component marks can be readily added
as detail drawing proceeds.

42
3.3 — FOUNDATION AND WALL INTERFACE INFORMATION

The responsibilities for the design and detailing of the steel base plate and holding down bolt
connections to the concrete foundations are discussed in the Commentary on TABLE 1.2A(xiii).
Responsibility for the preparation of the Foundation Plan will depend upon the agreement
reached, but it must contain all the information required by this clause.

Bolts arranged in sleeve pockets for adjustment must be detailed such that the bolt adjustment on
plan (within the tolerance give in 9.1.3) can be achieved before final grouting. References to
foundations and bases apply similarly to other interfaces such as walls where steel components
are secured by connected to concrete and other structural materials (compare 9.1.4 with 9.1.5).

3.4 — FABRICATION INFORMATION FOR COMPONENTS

The intention of 3.4.1 is to make clear that Fabrication Shop Drawings and Fabrication Data are
intended primarily for the manufacture of components and should not include unnecessary
information. Data necessary to simplify checking, such as grid line dimensions, may be shown
but other details irrelevant to the checking or manufacturing process should be omitted.

It is normally expected that Fabrication Drawings will show components as completed for
dispatch from the fabrication shop.

Components and fittings produced on automated plant are usually made directly from electronic
Fabrication Data. In this case Fabrication Drawings are used for shop assembly only.

Although not stated, it is expected that a second competent draughtsman checks all hand-made
drawings, and that the initials of the draughtsman and checker must appear on the drawing.
However, in the case of drawings generated by computer, it is considered to be more important to
check the computer input information plus a visual check of the drawings produced to ensure that
no obvious errors have been made.

Traditionally, a drawing register would have served the requirement for the manufacturing
system to record dates when information is released for manufacture. Electronic systems would
include comparable records and the time between release of information for manufacture and
actual manufacture could often be very short in such a system. In addition, it would be important
for the electronic system to record when information is sent for review by the Engineer (see
Commentary on 3.6) and the issuing dates for each revision, just as a traditional drawing register
would do.

3.4.2 is included in the NSSS to ensure that attachments that have to be provided to facilitate
erection are shown on the Fabrication Drawings, so that such attachments can be properly
positioned and checked.

It may also be necessary to locate the fitting on the centroid of the component, and any such
requirements should be clearly specified on the drawings. The Steelwork Contractor should
include a reference to erection attachments in the erection method statement, since the Engineer
must give his approval to all design and stability matters in the statement. The requirements for
the erection method statement can be found in 8.1.1.

43
The intention of 3.4.3 is to reflect the importance of preparations for welding as part of the
connection by having them shown on the drawings. However, if a Steelwork Contractor uses a
particular preparation regularly, he can reference this on the drawing without showing the detail.
There is no requirement to show weld procedures on the drawings.

The fabrication workshop’s procedure is expected to include weld inspection as specified in

5.5.1, but if a different level of inspection has to be provided, the NSSS stipulates that such
information be given on the drawings.

The art and science of good detailing practice for fabrication drawings is, in many ways,
encompassed in 3.4.4. The NSSS expects that the draughtsman has a full knowledge of the
permitted tolerances. His job includes showing the packings and clearances required so that the
component can be erected without modifications having to be made at site.

If the geometry of the completed structure is to be as shown on the Design Drawings, detailing
may have to take account of camber or flexure which will occur from the self-weight of the
structure. It is up to the Engineer to state if this is needed; it is not difficult for the detailer to
make provision when the camber requirements are known. It is sometimes necessary to make
provision for adjustment in other connections, for example:
vertical cantilevering parapet posts connecting to portal frame columns,
brackets supporting gutters requiring adjustment to accommodate a drainage fall.

The clearance requirements for hole sizes in 3.4.5 are essentially those commonly used
throughout the industry. The 6mm hole clearance for holding down bolts allows for normal
adjustment. However, in thick steel base plates, or if the bolt extends into a bolt-box welded to
the column shaft, an even greater clearance may be needed where positional adjustment may
incline the holding down bolt.

Clause 6.1.8 stipulates a nominal clearance of only 0.3mm for precision fitted bolts. It is
expected that these will be used in holes which are drilled after assembly, or pre-drilled undersize
and reamed when assembled.

The NSSS does not mention cleats with short

horizontal slot holes as shown in Figure 3.3.
Some Steelwork Contractors may wish to
adopt this detail which improves the
adaptability of cleats and allows a standard
cross centre dimension where web thicknesses
vary. This detail can be used only if accepted
by the Engineer.
Figure 3.3 — Short slot holes

Connections where adjustment is required, or where movement is necessary, need special

attention when preparing detail drawings. Two such matters are the subject of 3.4.6 and 3.4.7.
Holding Down Bolts, requiring greater facility for adjustment than other bolts, have to be
provided with loose cover plates or large washers (see note to 2.7.3).

44
It is important that a bolt assembly in a
movement connection, such as used at
expansion joints in structures, should be made
so that undue friction cannot develop between Figure 3.4 — A
mating surfaces. Shouldered bolts, with a shouldered bolt
washer bearing on the shoulder after tightening used at expansion
as shown in Figure 3.4, may be used in slotted- joints
hole connections. In other bolted assemblies
lock nuts will prevent the assembly becoming
loose when in operation.

Machining operations are the focus of 3.4.8, but they are rarely needed in normal building
construction. For example Ref. 2 — Joints in simple construction, suggests that most base plates
have a sufficiently flat bearing surface without machining or cold pressing. If the design does
call for machining of a surface, suitable notes have to be shown on the drawing to direct the
workshop's attention to the requirement.

The purpose of 3.4.9 is to identify where drilled holes rather than punched holes are required. Its
aim is to ensure that punching does not take place where, for example, distortion of the surface
must be avoided. Work-hardening of the metal surrounding the hole could also initiate a brittle
fracture in fatigue situations, or affect plasticity in areas where plastic hinges are required.
Design codes limit the thickness of metal to be punched to the maximum values stated in 4.6.4.
The detailer must therefore show on the Fabrication Drawings where holes are to be drilled and
not punched.

The locations where this restriction would apply are:

in non-slip friction grip connections made with pre-loaded bolts;
at locations where plastic hinges are assumed in the design analysis;
in elements of rigid connections where yield lines are assumed;
where repetition of loading makes fatigue critical to the member design;
where the design code of practice does not permit punched holes.

The obligation on the designer to identify such locations is given in TABLE 1.2A(viii) and
(xviii).

Design standards and specific test data are used to determine the friction factor that limits the
capacity of preloaded friction grip connections. 3.4.10 indicates that Fabrication Drawings must
be fully specific with respect to the necessary treatment to the faying surfaces.

45
3.5 — ERECTION DRAWINGS

The philosophy of the NSSS is that all drawing information needed by the erector should be
found on purpose-made Erection Drawings. Although the erector should have a complete set of
Fabrication Drawings on Site, he would not normally refer to them unless he has occasion to
check the fabrication details of a particular component.

The Erection Method Statement is discussed more fully in the Commentary on 8.1, but Erection
Drawings, showing the erection method in outline, are expected to accompany the statement.

The drawings should also show the detail and arrangement of any temporary works or
attachments to be used during the erection for lifting, restraint, propping or any other purpose.

3.6 — DRAWING ACCEPTANCE

Submission of drawings to the Engineer, in accordance with 3.6.1, is a feature of most contracts
and is a mandatory requirement of the NSSS. However, 3.6.5 is drafted to allow for those
situations if the information is submitted but comments are not received, as commenting may
occasionally be prohibited under certain contractual arrangements.

The Engineer, having overall responsibility for the design of the structure, must ensure that the
design information has been correctly interpreted on the fabrication and erection drawings. The
clause is intended to apply equally to ‘design and build’ contracts when the designer is an
employee of the Steelwork Contractor and is responsible for the steelwork design. His duties in
relation to drawing acceptance are the same as those of an Engineer not employed by the
Steelwork Contractor. Time must be allowed for drawing acceptance in the programme (see
Commentary on TABLE 1.7(ii)).

The Note to 3.6.1 identifies that review of any computer model used is as important as review of
the calculations the model produces. Some software programmes have become widely used by
both Steelwork Contractors and Engineers which aids their understanding of their potential and
limitations; less widely used software may be equally sound or better for particular applications –
but clarity of understanding can only be achieved by a dialogue between those using the software
and those reviewing its output.

3.6.2 has been introduced into the NSSS to ensure that sufficient information is submitted for
review by the Engineer without overloading the procedure with unnecessary information.
Generally, the review by the Engineer is restricted to checking that the Steelwork Contractor’s
GA of the steelwork and connection designs are consistent and compatible with the Engineer’s
design.

In particular, in accordance with BS 5950-1, the Engineer would need to bear in mind how the
overall stability of the structure might be affected by the types and locations of connections
chosen by the Steelwork Contractor. This review should extend to alerting the Steelwork
Contractor about particular hazards that might arise from potential instability of the part-erected
structure – for example, if long span members rely on connections with other members for lateral
stability.

46
Thus, the information submitted for review does not need to include, Fabrication Drawings or
Data as these are produced for the Steelwork Contractor’s own use and it is assumed that he will
ensure that they are consistent with the GA Drawings and Connection Design Calculations that
are submitted for review by the Engineer. Consistency is nearly wholly automatically ensured if
Fabrication Drawings and Data are produced from a full electronic model of the structure.

Occasionally, the Engineer may wish to review specific Fabrication Drawings – for example to
assess the architectural suitability of particular details, or to resolve interface details with other
trades (see Commentary on TABLE 1.2A(xvi)). In such cases a request for the submission of
these additional drawings would need to be included in the Project Specification.

Similarly, there may be occasions when the Engineer may wish to review specific Erection
Drawings – for example to assess the implications of arrangements for temporary bracing being
provided by the Steelwork Contractor. This review would not relieve the Steelwork Contractor
of his responsibility for design of the temporary works.

Clause 3.6.3 clarifies the meaning of acceptance as applicable to users of the NSSS – and
bearing in mind that the contractual terms may overlay this meaning with other limitations. The
Engineer, when accepting the drawings, must satisfy himself that the principle used in the design
of a connection is correct, and it is the kind of connection he envisaged when designing the
structure. If necessary, he should ask to see the design sheets for major connections.

The Engineer does not have to check the arithmetic used in designing the connection; that
responsibility remains with the Steelwork Contractor, as does the responsibility for the accuracy
of dimensions. Any mistakes resulting from these errors are the responsibility of the Steelwork
Contractor.

Uniformity in phrases used by Engineers when accepting drawings is not a requirement but 3.6.4
tabulates the more common terms used, defines the meanings and consequent actions.

3.7 — AS ERECTED DRAWINGS

The intention is that a full set of drawings and associated calculations will be retained by the
Employer to be used for reference throughout the life of the structure. The Employer should
preserve them and pass them on to subsequent owners; this process is an integral part of the CDM
Regulations. It is an option to agree that these may be presented in electronic form – bearing in
mind that not all drawing formats are interchangeable.

47
 Commentary on Section 4
WORKMANSHIP — GENERAL
Modern fabrication shops need to process steelwork with speed and efficiency. The old
traditional skills of templating and individual marking of hole positions, by scribing lines on
steel, have largely given way to the use of automated and semi-automated (numerically
controlled) plant for cutting and drilling operations. Section 4 specifies a standard of
workmanship for the principal operations in the modern fabrication process.

Material preparation tasks are considered to include cutting, machining, drilling, bending,
punching and cropping. This is followed by assembly, which can involve both welding and
bolting; these procedures are covered in Sections 5 and 6. Inspection is a continuous process
throughout fabrication, but a final inspection of completed components is an essential
requirement.

4.1 — IDENTIFICATION

The objective of 4.1.1 is that the steel used is traceable to a mill test certificate (or “inspection
document” as it is termed in steel product Standards) showing the manufacturing process, and
mechanical and chemical properties, before the fabrication process commences.

All material grades must be identifiable. This is usually achieved by a stripe colour code
system, painted at the end of the member on the cut edge.

4.1.3 requires the erection mark to be identified on the component during fabrication.
Proprietary paint-sticks are often used for this purpose, as chalk is not sufficiently durable.

Hard-stamp marking of components is often one of the procedures carried out by automatic
cutting and drilling lines. It is a good method of member identification throughout the fabrication
and treatment process, but the indentations can form a stress raiser. Thus the Engineer may need
to indicate in the Project Specification any highly stressed tension zones in which hard stamping
is to be avoided.

4.1 uses the terms “traceable” for steel to its test certificate referenced in 4.1.1, “identifiable” for
material within the manufacturing system in 4.1.2, and “positive identification” for individual
pieces during fabrication in 4.1.3. However, ‘continuous traceability’ is not required by the
NSSS, as there is no requirement for the Steelwork Contractor to have a system such that material
can be traced to a particular certificate once the fabrication process has started. Continuous
traceability is not a normal requirement for statically loaded structures, and if it is required it
would have to be written into the Project Specification, but it should be understood that it is an
arduous task and will add to cost. The default system is thus:
Steel bars received into the stockyard from mills or other suppliers shall be traceable to an
inspection certificate relating to the manufacture of the relevant batch of bars from which
the properties of the batch (lot or cast) can be verified (see 4.1.1),
Once issued from the stockyard into the manufacturing system, the grade of steel shall
remain identifiable, but the direct link between the individual bar and the relevant original
test certificate is not retained (see 4.1.2),
As bars are cut and prepared during fabrication they are marked in a way that links them
directly with a fabrication drawing or data (see 4.1.3),
48
 Thus, when the fabricated component is finished, the grade of each piece part comprising
the assembled component is recorded, but the direct links back to particular originating
certificates for the batches from which the piece parts were cut are not retained.

4.2 — HANDLING

Steelwork is more likely to be damaged in storage and handling than in use. It cannot, by its
nature, be cocooned in protective materials. The provisions of the NSSS are meant to ensure that
damage from corrosion or handling is kept to a minimum by the use of appropriate slings and
skids, and that components are stacked in such a way that sequential deliveries to site are
facilitated.

4.3 — CUTTING AND SHAPING

4.3.1 intends that cutting operations for all steel are performed accurately by mechanical means,
but the Steelwork Contractor is free to use any one of the processes listed. However, it is
recognised that machine guided thermal cutting is not always possible and hand held equipment
can be used in these circumstances. Thermal cutting in general refers to flame cutting, plasma
cutting or laser cutting. Thermal cutting can produce hardened zones that may be unacceptable in
terms of design, near plastic hinge locations for instance, and these should be indicated in the
Project Specification. If necessary, procedure trials can be used to establish the effect that
thermal cutting has on the hardness of the cut material – in a similar way to the use of mechanical
tests on procedure samples from welding trials.

4.3.2 requires a flame-cut edge to be cleared of metal dross, and to be free of indentations and
irregularities. This may be reasonably interpreted as meaning indentations greater than one
millimetre. Any greater imperfections should be removed by grinding or chipping. A local
deviation of line which is better than 1:100 is considered reasonable. Although not stated, it
would be expected that a flame-cut edge should be within the tolerance of t/10 given in 7.3.4.

Columns and compression members are given special attention in 4.3.3. Where direct end-to-end
bearing at a splice is not required, a greater cutting tolerance is permitted in accordance with
7.2.2. Where the ends are required to butt tightly to transfer axial forces, it must be remembered
that joining the surface will also affect the plumb and alignment of the member. For compression
members, the fit will affect the pattern of loading within the member, which has implications for
the equivalent eccentricity of the load and the strut capacity of the member in resistance to
buckling. In these circumstances, the column ends must be cut to the more accurate tolerance in
7.2.3 taking care to prepare the end normal to a true centre line of the member (see Figure 4.1).
The criteria given allow for the fact that localised plastic yielding occurs that can beneficially
redistribute the loads over a wider area.

Sawing of butting column lengths should be carried ∆= D

out, as far as possible, so as to reduce the effect of 1000
any natural curve in each member. If two members (7.2.3)
are sawn such that the ends complement each other,
then the intermediate fabrication tolerance is unlikely ∆= D
to be of significance, provided that other tolerances 300
are met once the column is erected. If the ends of (7.2.2)
columns sit on a base plate which is to be finally Figure 4.1 —
grouted, then clearly the end may be cut to the more Column bearing
generous tolerance in 7.2.2 (see Figure 4.1). surfaces
49
If very large columns with plan dimensions of more than one metre have to be in direct bearing,
the 7.2.3 tolerance is considered to be too wide to ensure that erection tolerances can be achieved.
Suitable conditions may be obtained by matching butting components in the fabrication shop or
by careful machining. 4.3.3 requires that these components are fabricated in such a manner that,
after erection, tolerances in plumb and bearing are not exceeded.

In any bearing situation, notice must also be taken of the flatness requirement in 7.3.5.

4.4 — MACHINING

The intention is that due allowance for machining is made when ordering plate and slabs so that
the required dimension can be achieved after machining. In the case of base slabs, it is only
necessary to machine a strip across the slab to suit the width or depth of the column section (see
also Commentary on 3.4.8).

4.5 — DRESSING

Dressing of edges is not usually needed. Modern sawing, drilling and punching can all leave a
satisfactory edge. Thermal cutting can also be remarkably true. However, 4.5.1 requires arrised
edges to be removed and holes cleared of burrs and protruding edges.

Sharp edges cut to an acute angle should be dressed so that they are not a danger in subsequent
handling. Clause 4.5.2 states that a 90° rolled, cut, or sheared edge is acceptable without further
treatment. However, it must not be a ragged or serrated edge.

4.6 — HOLING

The NSSS expects holes to be positioned to tolerance, and true in alignment. Elements can then
be assembled without distortion. Automatic numerically controlled plant is normally designed to
ensure that proper account has been taken of deviations in flatness or straightness of components
when holes are drilled. With modern equipment, suitable accuracy can be achieved with
punching and plasma cutting as well as drilling. Plasma cutting is explicitly refereed to in 4.6.1
and 4.6.4, but thermal cutting using flame or plasma processes would also be permissible for
making holes provided that it could produce holes of comparable quality.

Clause 4.6.4 stipulates the rules for good practice in punching and limits its use to material of
30mm thick. This is a less restrictive criterion than previously but it is matched with to the
requirements for fracture toughness given in BS 5950-1, hence special care must be taken when
purchasing materials intended for punching that the correct sub-grade is specified.

A further stipulation is that the thickness of material punched is not greater than the hole
diameter. Positions in components where holes must be drilled and not punched are specified in
3.4.9. Such positions must be drawn to the attention of the Steelwork Contractor in the Project
Specification, as required by TABLE 1.2A(viii) and (xviii).

Clause 4.6.5 recognises that punching is permissible in any location where reaming is to take
place. This is because any brittle hardening of the material around the edges of a punched hole
does not extend beyond 2mm from the edge of the hole and the reaming operation removes this.

50
Slotted holes are dealt with in 4.6.6. They may be produced using punching, drilling or plasma
cutting techniques but it should be noted that the punching criteria given in 4.6.4 still apply.
Plasma cutting of a hole should not have an irregularity greater than 1 mm.

4.7 — ASSEMBLY
Tolerance
Section 7 specifies permitted deviations for each
element. An assembly may incorporate the permitted
deviation in either direction ( se e Fi gu r e 4. 2 ) .

If each element in an assembly is made to a tolerance of

the same 'sign' (+ve or -ve), then the final assembly
may be out of tolerance. To guard against this, the

Deviation
Deviation
Steelwork Contractor must detail his components to
avoid an accumulation of deviations that would make
the final assembly unacceptable. In addition, welded
assemblies need to have balanced weld sequences to Figure 4. 2 – Permitted Deviations
avoid warping and twisting.

Steel is a tough, ductile, tolerant material, which forgives fairly rough treatment, nevertheless, the
NSSS states that components must not be bent or twisted to achieve an assembly. The
requirement for firm contact when connected components are drawn together does cross-refer to
5.4.1, which deals with fit-up prior to welding when a root gap may be specified. In which case
the assembled components would not be in direct contact and tack welding would generally be
used to secure them in the correct relative positions for subsequent welding.

Refer also to 6.2 and 6.4 for fit-up of bolted assemblies with ordinary non-preloaded bolt
assemblies and preloaded bolt assemblies.

4.8 — CURVING AND STRAIGHTENING

This clause is intended to take account of all

fabrication operations where techniques are
used to achieve the straightness or camber of a
component within the permitted deviation given Bend
in 7.2.4, 7.2.6, 7.4.8, 7.4.9 and 7.5.8, and the
curving of a component to a specified r a d i u s
( s e e Fi g u r e 4. 3 ) .

Straightening is within the capabilities of most Curve

steelwork contractors, and some are able to
undertake cambering. Bending to a specified
shape is usually left to a specialist contractor Camber
who will advise on the limits of his process and
its effect of bending on the steel sections. Straightening

The specialist can accommodate bending on the

strong axis of all sections including the heaviest Figure 4.3 — Straightness, Curving and
rolled. Castellated sections can also be curved. Camber

51
Curving other shaped sections need not give the
specialist any problems, but particular Outside of Curve
techniques have to be adopted to maintain the
geometrical shape of both hollow and open
sections. For example, RHS section can
become slightly trapezoidal, and open sections
may change slightly (see Figure 4.4).
Generally the slight change of shape makes no
difference to the strength of the component and
acceptance or rejection should be on the basis Inside of Curve
of what is aesthetically acceptable. Figure 4.4 — Sections after curving

Most curving and straightening is performed by specialists on cold metal without heat being
applied. The operations are in fact similar to the later stages of the final manufacture of rolled
shapes. With cold-working the mechanical properties of the metal will be changed locally. The
yield and ultimate stress will increase whereas the Charpy value and elongation properties will
reduce. However, the component will be able to operate at normal stress levels when used in
static building structures. Special attention may have to be given if fatigue loading is involved or
if the structure may be subjected to very low temperatures.

Cambering and straightening by non-specialist benders may be done by local application of heat
along the length of one side of the member. Heating to a maximum of 650°C is not detrimental.

Induction bending is a relatively expensive process which may be the only way to bend very large
sections, and is particularly applicable to large tubes and rectangular hollow sections when the
maintenance of a satisfactorily true cross section is critical. Temperatures in the material can be
in the order of 800°C to 1000°C and must be very carefully controlled by trained operatives. A
very high standard of curving can be achieved with no detrimental effects to the properties of the
finished component.

In all these processes the component being straightened or curved is subjected to very large
forces. Any welds made before straightening or curving must obviously be re-inspected and
examined in accordance with 5.5 after straightening or curving operations have been completed.

4.9 — INSPECTION

If automated (numerically controlled) methods of production are in use it should suffice to fully
check the first components produced and the first batch of fittings. After that an occasional check
of the components should be sufficient to prove that accuracy is being maintained.

The documents and procedures data sheets used in automated production should also be checked
to the same standards as fabrication drawings.

If individual or small batches of components are being fabricated by traditional plating methods,
with individual tape measurements being made to achieve the length, and holes drilled to scribed
lines, then they should all be fully checked after fabrication.

52
4.10 — STORAGE

It cannot be overemphasised that handling is not only expensive in itself, but also carries the
additional risk of damage, particularly to finishes. Nevertheless, production schedules are such
that almost invariably members have to be stored at least once, either in the manufacturer’s yard
or on site. The purpose of 4.10.1 is to ensure that every effort is made to keep steelwork that is
stacked clean and free from water collection and to ensure that it is adequately supported.

4.10.2 requires that components should be marked in such a way that visual identification is
possible when stacked. Sometimes proprietary adhesive labels are used for this purpose.

53
 Commentary on Section 5
WORKMANSHIP — WELDING
A recognised specification providing weld acceptance criteria for steelwork in building structures
was not available until the advent of the NSSS. Contract documents often contained specific
requirements more appropriate for bridges and structures subject to dynamic loading. These
requirements are usually more severe than are necessary for building structures.

BCSA commissioned The Welding Institute to set a minimum mandatory scope of weld testing,
with acceptance criteria appropriate for static structures based on fitness for purpose. Cyclic
stressing at fairly low amplitudes and frequencies does occur in building structures so the
permissible size of discontinuities in welds were specified to ensure that they would not grow to
failure during the life of the structure. The work resulted in tables defining the scope of
inspection and acceptance criteria for welds. These tables have now been incorporated into
Annex A of BS 5950-2. The NSSS has retained the same acceptance criteria (in Annex C of the
NSSS) and now provides a scope of inspection (in Annex B of the NSSS) to support process
control of welding by Steelwork Contractors. The change has not been to reduce the overall
frequency of inspection, but to make its application simpler to apply on a regular day-to-day and
week-to-week basis.

If weld details are used repetitively in a workshop and the welding procedures are in regular use,
Note (iv) to Table B of the NSSS allows the use of periodic routine checks. Four factors should
be noted about this use of routine checking:
The reference in Note (iv) to a “weekly basis” for the frequency of checking is deliberate
and the sampling should not be undertaken on a less frequent basis except at the Engineer’s
discretion in accordance with Note (iii) of Table B.
Note (iv) refers to repetitive weld details as “having the same basic dimensions, material
grades, weld geometry” and it is reasonable to use the extent of approval of the welding
procedure approval record associated with the welding procedure under consideration as
characterising what the same basic parameters are.
The selection of the first five joints of each type should be chosen on as wide a basis as
possible to avoid bias in the sample that might concentrate, say, on the work of a single
welder or fabrication on a single project. It would often be wise to ensure that the sampling
basis paid attention to avoiding the possibility that welds on all components for smaller
projects featuring such repetitive details might be excluded from the sample.
Note (iv) makes it clear that as welds for longitudinal joints (such as fabricated section
profiles) and secondary attachments (such as purlin cleats) are less critical, a sample of 5%
of the weekly output of members is sufficient.

In exercising the discretion allowed under Note (iii) of Table B for the Engineer to determine the
frequency of checking, the Engineer is likely to be much more closely involved with the
production control of welding if design-and-build work is being undertaken. However, the
emphasis should always be that those responsible for control of welding should be using the
periodic routine checks to establish to their own satisfaction whether their welding processes are
under control.

The scope of inspection laid down by the NSSS should thus ensure that the Steelwork Contractor
maintains his welding processes at an accepted standard that is generally suitable for structural
steelwork. Any addition to the scope of inspection needed on a project-specific basis must be
54
clearly specified by the Engineer, and Annex A of BS 5950-2 provides a basis for identifying
critical welds that may require additional inspection.

The aim is to ensure welds of adequate quality, and this relies on prior qualification of welding
procedures and welders. In particular, the intention is to avoid or minimise repair work which is
expensive, disrupts schedules and may be technically less reliable. A guide to welding and
effective quality control can be found in Ref. 9 — Introduction to Welding of Structural
Steelwork.

The traditional method for sizing welds using their leg length has been replaced in Standards with
the use of throat thickness – as that is a better indication of the strength of the weld. Care needs
to be taken to check which criterion is being used when comparing older information with newer
information. The current edition of the NSSS has, however, retained the use of leg length in
TABLE B (see Note (vi)).

Care is needed in the use of welding terms. Sometimes expensive 'full penetration' welds are
specified when what is needed is 'full strength' welds. A definition of welding terms is provided
in the NSSS, but the following should be noted:

Fillet Welds: The greatest proportion of welds in building structures Surface laid weld
small penetration
are Fillet Welds made by manual metal arc [MMA], metal inert gas
[MIG], or by the metal active gas [MAG] process. The weld fuses
the joining parts, with a penetration into the parent metal of both
pieces being joined and into the root. Provided that such welds are
symmetrically made with the correct consumables, then for S275
steel they develop full strength when the sum of the weld throats is Fillet welds designed
equal to that of the element which the welds join. as partial strength or
full strength
Full Penetration Welds: This weld has complete root penetration. It Complete Complete root fusion
is used particularly in situations if the connected members have to root fusion to backing flat
accommodate a fluctuating load that co uld cause a fatigue failure in
the weld. They are by definition always full strength but are
considerably more expensive than other Full Strength Welds.
Full penetration welds
providing full strength
Partial Penetration Welds: Butt welds which have an un-welded Complete root fusion not
portion at the root are classed as Partial Penetration Welds. Th e term provided
also applies to a weld made from one side of the thickness if there is
no backing and full penetration is not achieved. When Partial
Penetration Welds with a reinforcing fillet are symmetrically made
with the correct consumables, and the sum of the weld throats is
Partial penetration welds not
equal to that of the element which the welds join, for S275 steel they providing ‘full strength’
may be classed as ‘full strength’.

A butt weld to a circular or rectangular hollow section may be ‘full strength’ if it is a continuous
weld around the section and special techniques are used to ensure penetration through the wall
thickness.

Full Strength Weld: The term does not describe the type of weld and is not an appropriate
designation to be shown on Fabrication Drawings. It means that the joining welds must have a
load carrying capacity equal to that of the element being joined and a connection calculation
would be needed to evaluate whether it is achievable.
55
5.1 — GENERAL

This clause specifies arc-welding processes to BS EN 1011-1: Welding – Recommendations for

welding of metallic materials and this refers in turn to the other Parts of BS EN 1011. For arc
welding of ferritic steels the relevant Part is BS EN 1011-2. There may be occasions when
reference may need to be made to other Parts of BS EN 1011 or to other Standards such as BS
4570: Specification for fusion welding of steel castings. BS EN 1011, as the replacement for BS
5135, provides a comparably sound baseline for good workmanship that encapsulates a wealth of
experience on techniques for producing welds of good quality by material selection and weld
procedure specification.

Welding consumables should remain in controlled conditions which avoid hydrogen pick up.
Certain electrodes may need to be baked in suitable drying ovens prior to use and particular
attention should be given to site conditions. Electrodes which are made and specially packed and
sealed to avoid hydrogen pick up, may be advantageous on site and in similar environments,
provided they are used within a given period after the package seal has been broken.

BS EN 29692 now covers criteria for joint preparation that were hitherto in BS 5135.
Satisfactory welds will not be achieved unless the surfaces at the joints are clean and dry. Lightly
rusted surfaces can be wire brushed, but deep rust must be removed by grinding or grit blasting.

Weld-through priming paints are acceptable provided that it has been shown by weldability tests,
in accordance with BS 6084, that they do not have a detrimental effect on weld quality. In
general, however, priming paint should be removed locally before welding.

5.2 — WELDER QUALIFICATIONS

The NSSS requires that all welding is made by welders who have been properly tested and have
certification to show that they have been tested for the type of welding they are undertaking. This
is necessary since the quality of welded work performed by manual or semi-automatic processes
depends essentially on the skill of the welder.

Testing in 5.2.1 refers to BS EN 287-1 Approval testing of welders for fusion welding: Steels.
The testing method is one in which uniform rules and test conditions are specified using standard
test pieces. However, the Standard does not invalidate welder approvals made to other national
Standards or specifications, providing that the intent of the technical requirements is satisfied.

The same weld test can be used to test the welder, as well as approving the welding procedure to
BS EN 288-3, provided that all relevant requirements of both Standards are satisfied.

It is required in 5.2.2 that testing of welders is witnessed and endorsed by an independent

Inspection Authority. The welder's skill and job knowledge continues to be approved only if the
welder is working with reasonable continuity on welded work that is covered within the extent of
approval. BS EN 287-1 provides a format for the certificate of approval.

5.3 — WELDING PROCEDURES

These clauses give the requirements for written specification of welding procedures and welding
sequence. A welding procedure is defined as a specified course of action to be followed when
welding, including a list of materials, and where necessary the equipment to be used.

56
It is the duty of the Steelwork Contractor to study the contract drawings/scope of the project to
determine the range of welding procedure approvals required, and to review existing approvals
and determine if any further ones are required. It is not necessary to have procedures re-approved
for each contract when they can be shown to be part of a routine system of procedure tests
operated by the Steelwork Contractor.

5.3.1 requires written procedure specifications to be available in accordance with BS EN 288-2,

tested to BS EN 288-3 and in compliance with the guidance in BS EN 1011-2 for avoidance of
hydrogen cracking and provision of adequate toughness. Annex A of BS EN 288-3 itemises the
comprehensive details of the test that need to be provided in the form of a Welding Procedure
Approval Record [WPAR]. It is this WPAR that is then submitted to the independent Inspection
Authority for approval. A Steelwork Contractor's own quality control staff should ensure that the
procedure is maintained, but approval comes from an outside body. There are a number of
recognised authorities able to undertake procedure test approval.

The decision by the independent Inspection Authority about whether to approve a particular
procedure is a complex one in that the as-completed weld needs to meet various criteria. Some of
these are directly to do with the welding process (as listed in Annex C to NSSS) and some relate
to the structural properties of the weld (as would be evidenced by destructive mechanical tests on
the weldment – for instance spot hardness tests in the weld metal and heat-affected zone [HAZ]
of the parent metal). The general rules given in BS 5950 are that the weld metal should have and
the HAZ should retain mechanical properties not less than the minimum nominal values required
for parent metal.

Welding procedure specifications are the summary of the key details that are within the extent
of approval of the WPAR, and these must be available at the work place as all work is now to be
carried out to written procedures. This is the objective of 5.3.3. The sheets must also be
available, on request, to any technical authority appointed by the Employer.

5.4 — ASSEMBLY

The Fit-up specified in 5.4.1 is that relating to the joints themselves to allow the quality in
TABLES C.1 and C.2 of the NSSS to be achieved. The examples shown in TABLE C.2
illustrate the maximum permissible root gap with butting elements. The table also shows
permissible tolerances in alignment of butt joints and cruciform joints.

Fit-up should also take account of the distortion anticipated during welding and the effect this
will have on the final shape of the joint. Any presetting necessary to ensure correct geometry
after welding can then be arranged.

The fit-up requirements for butt welds should be detailed in the weld procedures. If correct fit-up
cannot be achieved a build-up of weld metal by a ‘buttering’ technique may be used to reduce a
gap, if performed to an approved procedure.

Jigs are often used to ensure correct location in welded fabrications. Production rates may be
improved by removing the workpiece from the jig after tacking. Providing that it can be
demonstrated that adequate control of distortion can be achieved during subsequent welding,
5.4.2 allows removal from the jigs before welding is completed.

57
Tack welding is a method used to hold assembled pieces until the main welds are performed.
5.4.3 gives mandatory rules for the sizing and quality of tack welds which are to be incorporated
in main welds, but such tacks must be made by welders who have qualified as detailed in 5.2.
Any tack welds that do not conform must be removed before main welding of that portion of the
joint is carried out.

The tack welds may be highly stressed during removal from jigs and/or manipulation during
welding. Welding conditions must, as a minimum, be in line with those for the root runs of the
main welds.

It should be noted that if at least one of the components being joined has a thickness of 12mm or
greater, the tack weld must be at least 50mm long. If thinner members are being joined, the tack
length must be at least 4 times the thickness of the thicker member. In practice, tacks welds as
long as 50mm are much longer than the length generally required to secure the parts in position,
and there may be pressure to accept much shorter tacks as sufficient for the purpose of ‘tacking’.
This can be an acceptable practice, but only if the tack is ground out before the final weld is
executed, or if a WPAR has been provided that corresponds with the shorter tack length. Often
the provision of a suitable WPAR will be difficult as tack welds have an increased propensity for
cracking, because of the effect of heat input and other welding conditions at the start-stop
positions on short weld runs. For the same reason, care should be taken during the grinding out
of a short tack to ensure that any hardened material is removed.

The need to remove non-complying tack welds is necessitated by the anticipation that the zone of
the tack will subsequently be incorporated into a weld. However, there are situations where
‘tack’ welds are used to secure pieces in relative position that are not subsequently welded
together to form a structural connection. An example would be short ‘tack’ welds used to secure
a slab base to the foot of a column in a way that ensures the column load passes into the base in
direct bearing. In such cases there would be no need for the short weld to comply with 5.4.3, but
it would still need to be sufficiently sound to secure a base that might weigh 250kg or more.

Distortion can be reduced by the adoption of the minimum amount of welding, an appropriate
welding procedure and, hence, control of heat input. Weld deposits cause contraction to take
place local to the weld. The amount of contraction is proportional to the amount of heat input
from the welding process. Sub-clause 5.4.4 requires that weld procedures specify a sequence of
weld runs that will balance the contraction forces to ensure the straightness of the components
within the permitted tolerances in Section 7. In some cases, pre-bending or cambering may be
necessary to counter weld distortion.

To take care of longitudinal contraction in long welded components such as plate girders, the
plates are ordered with sufficient allowance on the length to ensure that, after welding, the
finished length can be achieved.

Welds, specified or made larger than necessary, do not provide stronger joints; they are simply
more likely to produce distortion due to their greater heat input from higher deposition rates.

5.4.5 requires that the same attention is paid to welding fabrication or erection attachments as
is made to permanent welds. Such attachments can be subjected to high stresses during lifting
operations and can be dangerous if the welding is made without proper control.

58
3.4.2 states that these fittings can be left in place on the permanent structure, unless the Project
Specification requires the Steelwork Contractor to remove them. If at all possible, they should be
left in place.

Removal by hammering is forbidden since it can cause tearing of the surface of the member,
creating stress raisers and leaving scars. If they are to be removed, the welds have to be carefully
cut and grinding used as necessary. The remaining surface should then have the same level of
visual and magnetic particle inspection [MPI], or dye penetrant inspection [DPI], as would be
made for the weld metal.

Defects, such as cratering, may occur at weld start/stop positions. Extension pieces or run-
on/run-off plates can prevent this situation. They are particularly useful when making in-line butt
welds but are sometimes needed in other situations. Clause 5.4.6 requires that the weld ends are
dressed after careful removal of the extension pieces.

Where welded extension pieces are to be used as production test plates for mechanical tests,
5.4.7 states that the grade of material and carbon equivalent value [CEV] must be of the same
specification as the parent metal. Rolled metal does have a 'grain' which follows the direction of
rolling. The test piece must be placed in the same direction of rolling as that in which the parent
metal was produced so that it can properly represent the quality of the weld in the joint.

5.5 — NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF WELDS

ANNEX B — WELDS - SCOPE OF INSPECTION

TABLE B shows the minimum mandatory scope of inspection required by 5.5.1. Part A
stipulates that a 100% visual inspection is required, and Part B advises the material thickness, or
fillet weld size, when MPI and ultrasonic examination [U/S] become mandatory and the
frequency of testing.

It should be noted that if MPI and ultrasonic examination are specified they are not alternatives;
both must be carried out since MPI can only discover surface discontinuities, and ultrasonic
examination is required to check for sub-surface discontinuities.

In Part B are the table, the criteria for mandatory testing by MPI and ultrasonic inspection
methods is based upon the thickness of the thickest element in the connection or the size of the
weld. It should be appreciated that the failure of some welds could be catastrophic, whereas
others, generally the smaller welds, are less critical. It is matters of this nature which have
influenced the decisions at which testing becomes mandatory as well as what is practicable.

It is incumbent upon the Engineer to recognise if a particular connection may require NDT of
welds to steels which are thinner than those specified in TABLE B; and reference to Annex A of
BS 5950-2 may be used as a guide. Examples may exist of testing being needed beyond the
limits given by the NSSS and the BS, for example, a cruciform weld situation where there is an
in-line tensile force to be carried through the parting plate. In this case testing may be necessary
for steels as thin as l0mm, with ultrasonic testing being applied to the plate as well as the weld.

Conversely, as noted in 5.5.1, there may be circumstances where an Engineer may agree to
reduce the inspection requirements provided the Steelwork Contractor can demonstrate that he
can maintain a satisfactory level of process quality against the requirements of BS EN 729:
Quality requirements for welding. Fusion welding of metallic materials. Parts 2, 3 and 4 of BS

59
EN 729 offer three levels of quality requirements – Comprehensive, Standard and Elementary –
and Part 1 provides guidelines for selection and use. Obviously the level offered needs to be
matched to the work being undertaken, and Annex E of DD ENV 1090-1 provides guidance on
matching the level of welding coordination to the type of work.

The frequency of MPI and U/S testing in the fabrication shop is 50% for full penetration butt
welds, 20% for partial penetration butt welds and 10% for fillet welds. These percentages should
be taken from each batch of welds of similar type to avoid bias in the sampling. If the welds
executed are repetitive, Note (iv) to TABLE B explains how the systematic procedure may be
modified to reflect this by varying the sampling process towards regular weekly checking against
usage of each particular welding procedure. The reference in Note (iv) to weekly checking is
deliberate as it is not considered that routine sampling on a less frequent basis would generally be
suitable.

The simplicity of this scheme is intended to facilitate the regular checking of welds during
production irrespective of which particular projects are being fabricated at the time. The
assumption is that the Steelwork Contractor is using the results of the tests as part of a quality
system to monitor process quality on a continual basis. If, however, problems are identified,
5.5.1 places an obligation on him to increase the frequency of testing and extend the scope until
the cause of the problems is identified and corrected.

The quality system specified in Section 11 requires that records be kept of tests and inspections;
5.5.2 emphasises that records are to be made of weld testing. The clauses on NDT have been
drafted as stand-alone requirements which, together with the Fabrication Drawings, enable the
Steelwork Contractor to inspect and correct the work in-house without referral to the Engineer for
decisions. If nonconformities are found, generally the Steelwork Contractor is allowed to repair
provided that all records of repairs are available for inspection by the Engineer. However, for
serious defects which are difficult to repair these need to be referred to the Engineer for approval
if the Steelwork Contractor does not wish to scrap and/or remake the nonconforming component.

The type of discontinuities that can occur in welds and their most likely causes should be
understood. The inspection and measurement of defects can then be made with better
interpretation and assessment of how important a defect is. Common fabrication discontinuities
and their- causes are shown in Figure 5.1 which is reproduced from M. H. Ogle's paper Weld
Quality Levels (Ref. 10).

60
 Picture of In-line butt weld Picture of Cruciform (butt and fillet)

Discontinuity Type Most Common Location Most Likely Cause

Heat affected zone [HAZ] in Damp or contaminated consumables or joint faces,

Hydrogen cracks thick joints (can be in weld too low heat input or preheat, high restraint. High
metal) carbon or manganese in steel.

Deep narrow welds, high sulphur and phosphorus in

Solidification cracks Weld metal (on centreline) weldment, high current. High restraint, mainly in
submerged arc.

HAZ in Tee and Non-metallic inclusions in steel, large welds, high

Lamellar tearing
Cruciform joints restraint.

Incorrect welding parameters, too low arc energy,

Lack of fusion Side walls and root
travel speed too fast, incorrect electrode position.

Incorrect fit-up, incorrect welding parameters (as per

Lack of penetration Root
lack of fusion), inadequate back gouging.

Incorrect electrode manipulation, poor bead shape

Slag inclusions Weld metal and inadequate slag removal, damaged electrode
coatings.

Gas originating from dampness, grease, rust, air

Porosity Weld metal entrainment in gas shield, insufficient deoxidant in
consumable or steel.

Excessive arc energy, insufficient preparation,

Excess weld metal (overfill) Weld bead cap incorrect electrode size, faulty electrode
manipulation.

Undercut Weld toe Excessive current, too large a weld bead.

Arc energy too low, travel speed too low, incorrect

Overlap Weld toe
position, incorrect electrode manipulation.

Misalignment Incorrect jigging, inadequate tacking.

Excess root gap Incorrect jigging, inadequate tacking.

Figure 5.1 — Common fabrication discontinuities and their causes

61
Visual inspection of welds, at a level of 100%, is required by 5.5.3 before other flaw detection
methods are used. This inspection is to ensure that the right type of weld is made in the right
location and no weld is missing. The dimensions of throat and leg lengths of fillet welds, overfill
and undercut, concavity and misalignment can be measured with the aid of a hand-held gauge.

TABLES C.1 and C.2 make clear the remedial measures to employ if any discontinuities are
present.

When welds will become inaccessible by later workmanship, it is necessary to perform such
inspections and take corrective measures before they become inaccessible. Later work that may
make welds inaccessible for testing would include attachment of subsequent components and
surface treatments such as paint and galvanizing. Other than observance of hold times (see
Commentary on 5.5.4), it is generally wise to undertake testing as soon as possible after welding.
BS EN 970 provides useful guidance on visual inspection that is appropriate for the work being
inspected and the type of weld.

Weld defects arising from hydrogen cracking may take hours to develop after welding has been
executed, albeit this period would be reduced if the weldment were held at an elevated
temperature. Hence, if hydrogen cracking is likely, 5.5.4 requires that a period be allowed
between welding and testing. TABLE A gives guidance on the appropriate hold time in relation
to material thickness and carbon equivalent value [CEV]. Commonly a ‘next day’ or ‘day after
that’ approach to testing is adopted as necessary. If cracks appear due to an error in procedure,
e.g. moisture contamination of electrodes or failure to provide proper preheat, it is likely to affect
many of the welds in the batch. The prime purpose of the inspection is to spot the basic problem.

When the weld procedure requires the weld to be tested at an intermediate stage of the fabrication
process, the work piece will have cooled and will have to be reheated to the temperature
recommended in BS EN 1011-2 before welding continues.

The NSSS gives preference in 5.5.5 to surface flaw detection by magnetic particle inspection
[MPI]. MPI works on the principle that a magnetic field in a piece of steel will leak out to the
surface if a crack is present. The particles of iron powder are attracted to the crack location,
producing a visual indication of a crack which might otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.

For carbon steels, magnetic particle testing for surface cracks is preferable to dye-penetration
testing methods. However, the NSSS allows the use of dye penetrants if MPI is not available.

BS EN 1290: Non-destructive examination of welds. Magnetic particle examination of welds

gives advice on the materials to be used, safety precautions, testing procedures, magnetization,
surface preparation, application of detecting material, viewing, recording, reporting and
demagnetization.

A welder who has been suitably trained, and has been tested by a nationally recognised authority,
can gain competence in surface flaw detection. It is acceptable for a welder who is so qualified to
examine his own work.

In 5.5.6, ultrasonic examination is specified for subsurface examination of welds and no mention
is made of radiography. Ultrasonic examination is favoured for all except thin material (up to 6-
8mm thick) and small fillet welds. Radiography is slow and disruptive to other operations in the
vicinity and carries severe health and safety hazards.

62
Ultrasonic examination is to be made in accordance with BS EN 1714 covering manual methods
of weld examinations of fusion welded butt joints (BS 3923-2 covers automatic examination).
Various levels of examination of in-line butt welds are covered; the NSSS sets out the levels for
reference and evaluation.

All ultrasonic examination requires considerable skill and training. It must be carried out by
operators who hold a current certificate of competence in making an examination and interpreting
the results.

63
ANNEX C — WELDS - ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS & MEASUREMENT
DEFINITIONS

Table C.1 shows the acceptance criteria and corrective actions required by 5.5.7. Since the table
is based upon 'fitness for purpose' criteria, a lesser standard is not permitted. The welding
standards specified are achievable by competent Steelwork Contractors.

The clause indicates once again that the acceptance criteria are for structures subject to static
loading only. In this context wind loading is considered as a static load unless the wind can set
up a frequency of oscillation similar to the natural frequency of the component. In general this is
only likely in certain tubular structures, towers and chimneys (See BS 4076: Specification for
steel chimneys and BS 8100: Lattice towers and masts).

If the designer specifies that fatigue loading is to be applied to parts of a static structure, such as
an overhead crane gantry, or a building housing reciprocating machinery, it is recommended that
the advice given in A.5 of BS 5950-2 be followed that weld acceptance criteria should be in
accordance with ISO 10721-2. This is because the development of the acceptance criteria for
static welds given in the ISO was based on the earlier work undertaken by TWI for BCSA to
develop the NSSS.

The acceptance criteria are not difficult for a competent welder to achieve, but TABLES C.1 and
C.2 need careful study for them to be fully understood. The following notes are made to assist in
the interpretation of the tables.

WELD GEOMETRY

The requirement is that the weld location, type and length should be as shown on the fabrication
drawings. If repairs have to be made because the weld has been wrongly located, an approved
procedure has to be used and the inspection requirement for the repair is increased to 100%.

If a wrong type of weld has been made, e.g. if a fillet weld had been used because the preparation
groove for a partial penetration weld was forgotten, then the repair procedure would have to be
referred to the Engineer.

PROFILE

Throat thickness
'tb' or 'tf' must average the throat indicated by the drawings over each 50mm
length of weld. It shall be not greater than 'tb' + 5mm, or 'tf' + 5mm at any
point.

Leg length (fillet)

Usually ‘lf’ is required to be equal for both sides of the fillet, but in special
cases the designer may specify different leg lengths on the drawing.

Toe angle
Ø, of any weld must not be less than 90°. If repair or grinding is
necessary to keep within tolerance, an approved procedure is to
be used and grinding repairs inspected by 100% MPI.

64
Cap/root bead
The discrepancy ‘Cb’ in the height or concavity of a weld bead
must be between the limits -1mm and +4mm. Repair to an
approved procedure or grind as necessary.

Misalignment
The discrepancy 'm' in the alignment of an in-line butt joint shall
not be more than a quarter of the thickness 't' or 3mm, where 't' is
thickness of the thinner member.

The discrepancy 'm' in the alignment of a cruciform joint shall not

be more than half of the thickness 't' or 3mm, where 't' is thickness
of the thinner member being joined.

If the discrepancy is more than these amounts, it must be referred

to the Engineer for a decision on acceptance or repair.

SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES

Undercut
For a transverse weld, the sum of the undercut 'U1 + U2 '
must not average more than 1 mm or '0.1t' over each
100mm of weld, where 't' is thickness of the thinner
member being joined. In practical terms this means that no
measurable undercut is allowed if welding thin material.
However, in the case of longitudinal welds, as defined by
TABLE B, these limits are doubled allowing small
undercuts in thin material.

Repair to an approved procedure.

Lack of root penetration for single sided butt welds

A single sided butt weld is commonly used in
welding a hollow section onto another component,
and in these cases, the root of the weld cannot be
inspected. For in-line single sided butt welds to
hollow sections, which are at least 10mm thick, an
ultrasonic test must be made to establish the weld
thickness.

The illustrations show examples where the intention

is that a weld is required with a throat equal to that of
the member thickness. The value rp is the permitted
deviation from that requirement.

65
The illustrations show examples where the intention
is that a weld is required with a throat equal to that
of the member thickness. The value rp is the
permitted deviation from that requirement.

For a transverse weld, as defined in TABLE B, the

effective weld throat lack of root penetration 'rp'
must not exceed 3mm or average more than 0.05t
over a 100mm length of weld, where 't' is thickness
of the thinner member being joined. However, for a
longitudinal weld, whilst the 3mm maximum is
maintained, a relaxation is permitted to 0.1t.

Repairs must be carried out to an approved procedure and where the root is inaccessible, the
amount of ultrasonic inspection is doubled.

Surface porosity
The size of surface cavities 'd'
shall not exceed 3mm and in a
transverse weld, the sum of 'd'
shall not exceed 10mm in a
100mm length. However, in a
longitudinal weld, the sum of 'd'
shall not exceed 20mm in a
100mm length.
View on surface of weld Typical
Repair to an approved procedure. Discontinuities

Lack of fusion and cracks

Lack of fusion or cracks are NOT PERMITTED. Any found must be repaired to an approved
procedure.

MPI is increased to 100% after repair.

SUB-SURFACE DISCONTINUITIES

Lack of fusion/Root penetration

In butt welds that are not intended to provide full
penetration, lack of fusion (or the gap 'h' remaining
after root penetration) shall not exceed the amount
shown on the drawings plus 3mm.

If elements are prepared with a nosing intended to

achieve partial penetration, with or without a
superimposed fillet in accordance with BS 5950, the
preparation should be made as shown here.

66
Repair to an approved procedure and double the
scope of ultrasonic examination.

Full details on the design of partial penetration

welds may be found in the section dealing with
end plate connections in Ref. 11 — Joints in Steel
Construction - Moment Connections.

Slag lines
For butt welds, the thickness 'h' shall not be
greater than 3mm, and, if within 6mm of the
surface or of another slag line, slag lines in
transverse welds must not exceed 10mm in
length with a linear separation of at least l0mm
between lines.

In addition to above, in a transverse weld the

sum of '1' shall not exceed 1.5t(mm) in a
100mm length. However, in a longitudinal
weld, the sum of 'l' shall not exceed 3t(mm) in
a 100mm length.

Repair to an approved procedure and double

the scope of ultrasonic examination.
Typical section through sub-surface defects

Root gap
In fillet and partial penetration butt welds, used in 'tee',
cruciform, corner and lap joints, the root gap 'rg' shall
not exceed 3mm, or 2mm average in a 100mm length.

Repair to an approved procedure and double the scope

of ultrasonic examination.

Sub-surface cracks
As with surface conditions, cracks are NOT PERMITTED. Any found must be repaired to an
approved procedure and ultrasonic examination increased to 100%.

67
Lamellar tears
Lamellar tears are NOT NORMALLY PERMITTED; refer to the Engineer for a decision and
increase ultrasonic examination. An exception may be made for welds having to develop
longitudinal shear only.

Lamellar tearing is mainly due to cracking, where non-metallic inclusions are present in the steel,
occurring under shrinkage forces of welds. There are techniques for overcoming the problem;
expert metallurgical advice should be sought. Guidance on selection of materials for the
avoidance of lamellar tearing will be available in Part 1.10 of Eurocode 3.

5.6 — SHEAR STUD WELDING

The use of shear studs, which is extensive in steel/concrete composite construction, has only
recently been covered by BS EN ISO 14555: Welding. Arc stud welding of metallic materials.
The NSSS covered trial welding, tests and inspections and replacement of defective studs, for
conventional use in building structures, and its requirements should be applied with respect to BS
EN ISO 14555.

One technique is to weld the stud on site, directly through gauge metal decking onto the steel
beam below, but studs used with precast floor units are often shop fixed. If stud welding is
undertaken on site, special care is needed to ensure that there is a suitable return path for the high
currents involved, as damage to other components can be caused if the return path is too long or
indirect (see 8.7(ii)).

The equipment to be used and procedures must be as recommended by the equipment suppliers,
particularly as the work may be carried out on site after erection of the steelwork,

Trial welding in 5.6.2 is only stated as being required if specified by the Engineer, as the
Steelwork Contractor would be testing on each shift anyhow.

The bend test given in 5.6.3 should be carried out 3 tested in first 10
with the first shear connections made to prove that then 3 tested in next 10
the weld procedure used and the welding current then 2 tested in next 80
was correct. Further tests should be carried out at then 2 tested in next 100
intervals to achieve a total of 5% of studs tested. __ ___
A typical bend test programme is as shown in total 10 tested in 200
Figure 5.2. It should be noted that the 5% studs
that are bend tested should not be straightened Figure 5.2 — A typical bend test
again. programme for shear studs

It is required by 5.6.4 that defectively welded studs are removed carefully as if they were
temporary attachments, hence the reference to 5.4.5. Defective studs may also occur as a result
of a defect in the stud itself rather than the stud welding process. In such cases the defective stud
will still need to be removed and the origin of the nonconformity investigated.

68
69
 Commentary on Section 6
WORKMANSHIP — BOLTING
The logic behind these clauses in the NSSS is that bolting should be kept as simple as possible.
Ordinary bolted assemblies should therefore be considered as the preferred system for building
structures. The use of 8.8 fully threaded bolts is recommended as discussed under 2.7.

The debate about making site connections by welding instead of bolting is often more concerned
with the architectural appearance of the finished connection than the structural performance. For
tube-to-tube connections in particular, site welding can be an attractive and reasonably economic
solution. It should, however, be remembered that before a site weld can be executed on a
member in position, the member must be placed and secured in that position with a temporary
connection that usually requires bolting. Riveting, which was so popular in the early days of the
structural steelwork industry, finally gave way to bolting.

Bolted connections are popular with Steelwork Contractors who have automatic sawing and
drilling plants where holing operations can be carried out without having to individually mark the
members. Connecting cleats are often made by cropping angles and punching holes.

As stated in the notes to other Sections, steelwork in buildings is mainly subjected to static
loading, but vibration can occur in some situations. In these circumstances provision has to be
made to prevent bolts from working loose. No particular guidance is given in the NSSS but the
Engineer must give consideration to lock nut devices such as those in BS4929-1, or other means
to prevent the bolt from working loose, such as the use of preloaded bolts. These will often be
“high strength” bolts, but they are not used in the “friction grip” mode. Hence, it is incorrect
terminology to equate the use of preloaded bolts directly with HSFG applications. Equally, if
connections will be regularly subjected to a reversal of the direction of the load, it is the
Engineer's responsibility to choose a suitable type of bolt assembly.

6.1 — ORDINARY BOLTED ASSEMBLIES

The bolt/nut combinations in 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 are those intended for use in shear or tension
situations.

Care should be taken if using 10.9 bolts in tension owing to their limited elongation capacity. It
is recommended that the bolt length is chosen which ensures that at least five threads will be
available under the nut after tightening.

6.1.3 precludes the use of differing bolt grades, of the same diameter, on the same job as a
safeguard against the weaker bolt being used in a situation where the stronger bolt is necessary.
It is good practice to use 8.8 bolts for main members and to limit the use of 4.6 bolts to secondary
members such as sheeting rails and purlins where a different diameter can be adopted.

The bolt length requirements in 6.1.4 should be regarded as the minimum for good practice. It
should not be quoted as a reason for having many different length bolts in use. The clause can be
equally satisfied by using a standard length fully threaded bolt as discussed in the Commentary to
2.7.

It is permissible for the threaded portion of the bolt shank to be within the shear plane of a
connection and load capacity tables for bolts are based on this assumption in BS 5950. A paper

70
by G W Owens (Ref. 12) gives the background to fully threaded bolts in both tension and shear
conditions.

6.1.5 does not require washers to be used with ordinary bolt assemblies. However, washers are
required under inclined flanges of joist sections, where protection is needed from the rotated nut
or head next to a surface with a finished protective treatment, and if bolts are used in oversize or
slotted holes. They are also required by 6.1.6 to adjust for tapers exceeding 3o.

Nuts in 6.1.7 that are hot dip galvanized cannot be expected to have a zinc coating which follows
exactly the thread profile. It is therefore necessary to check the nut for free running on the bolt
and re-tap if it is not free running.

The intention of 6.1.8 on bolt tightening of ordinary bolts is that the bolts are at least 'spanner
tight' (also termed ‘snug tight’ in DD ENV 1090-1) whether they be assembled using impact tools
or hand spanners to BS 2583. This may be defined approximately as being a force of at least 25kg
(250 Newtons) being applied to the end of a podger spanner (see Figure 6.1).

B o lt S i z e B L Approximate
( m m) ( m m) T o rq u e
(Nm)
M1 6 60 460 90*
M2 0 70 550 110*
M2 4 85 640 130*
Figure 6.1 — Podger spanner M3 0 100 730 160*
* Values are indicative of torque achieved when
hand tightened using a force of 250N

Fitted bolts are sometimes used in non-slip situations as an alternative to HSFG bolts. 6.1.9
gives the requirements when precision bolts are used. The holes in the components to be joined
can be individually drilled undersize and then reamed so, when assembled, the bolt has a suitable
clearance. Alternatively, if possible, they can be drilled full size. Generally the clearance for a
fitted bolt should be 0.3mm, and this may be achieved by specifying a combination of hole and
shaft diameters, and using suitable tolerances or by manufacturing one component and
specifically machining the other to the required fit.

6.2 — FIT-UP WHEN USING NON-PRELOADED BOLT ASSEMBLIES

Although connected parts must fit-up tightly when

drawn together, it is implicit in 6.2.1 that there may
be small gaps since they are not machined surfaces.
Packing is only necessary if the integrity of the joint
is threatened. In a case such as that shown in Figure
6.2 there is clearly no loss of joint integrity even
though the end plate has curled slightly due to
welding.
Figure 6.2 — Gap not affecting joint
integrity

71
Although it is common practice to drive a drift through matching holes to achieve alignment,
excessive force causing distortion to steelwork is not acceptable in the NSSS. 6.2.2 requires that
in adverse circumstances, holes should be reamed and a larger diameter bolt used to achieve a
proper connection.

6.3 — PRELOADED BOLTED ASSEMBLIES

Preloaded bolts have advantages if vibration is present, if slip between joining parts must be
avoided and if the applied load through the joint frequently changes from a positive to a negative
value; otherwise, 8.8 bolts will prove more economical to use. Some specifiers have suggested
that the reversal of load that occurs in moment connections in portal frames subject to wind
requires a formal requirement for preloading bolts in such connections, or the adoption of another
means of preventing the assemblies from loosening. Whilst there is insufficient evidence that
such bolt assemblies in portal frames require being other than spanner tight, there is more genuine
concern about moment connections subject to reversal in grandstand roof cantilevers where the
additional precaution of somehow securing the nuts against loosening may be justified.

It is a fact that HSFG bolts had an early history of misuse on site. It is therefore important, when
fixing, to have a higher level of supervision than for ordinary bolting.

In 6.3.3, the use of either the torque control method of tightening, or the part-turn method
described in BS 4604, are permitted. Proprietary load indicating washers, illustrated with
applications of use in Figure 6.3 can also be employed. In the normal case the load indicator is
placed under the head of the bolt and the nut is rotated on a hardened steel washer (left-hand
diagram). Should circumstances dictate, it is also possible to have the load indicator placed on
the nut side with the nut rotated on a 'nut face washer' to prevent direct contact between the load
indicator and rotating surfaces (middle diagram). A further special case is when the head of the
bolt is to be rotated to achieve tightening; in this case the load indicator and a 'nut face washer' is
used on the nut side and the head is rotated with hardened washer under (right-hand diagram).

Figure 6.3 — Use of load indicating washers with HSFG Bolts

The use of torque control methods to achieve a particular tension in a bolt is the most difficult to
control since it depends upon the condition of the threads, the amount of lubricant present and the
state of the nut/washer interface. Consequently 6.3.4 requires a calibration check to be made at
least once per shift.

When a preloaded bolt assembly has been properly tightened, the bolts have been stretched
beyond the elastic limit of the material. If for any reason the bolt is then slackened off, 6.3.5 says
the bolt assembly must be discarded as required by BS 4604. However, a bolt may be reused
during erection when it has been only partially tightened, to not more than 80% of its proof load,
since its properties will not have been impaired.
72
6.4 — FIT-UP WHEN USING PRELOADED BOLT ASSEMBLIES

The fit-up for connections intended to transfer force in friction is more critical than that for other
cases, and hence 6.4.1 requires that the joint be examined for fit-up when all bolts have been
partially tightened, to ensure that the steel surfaces are properly in contact.

Lack of fit in friction grip [HSFG] connections is discussed at length in a CIRIA publication by A
P Mann and L J Morris (Ref. 13). They quote research suggesting that HSFG connections subject
to shear should have the plate material adjacent to the bolts clamped together over an annular
zone whose maximum diameter is about twice that of the bolts.

As in 6.2 above, a small gap on the edge of the meeting surfaces is not detrimental to the integrity
of the joint. Only gaps caused by an actual geometrical problem need packing.

The requirements of 6.4.2 on reaming are similar to 6.2.2 for non-preloaded bolt connections.
However, since the load is being taken in friction, it may not be necessary to use larger diameter
bolts.

6.4.2(ii) requires that calculations should be made to demonstrate adequate capacity in the
connection for the reamed condition.

73
 Commentary on Section 7
WORKMANSHIP — ACCURACY OF FABRICATION
When compiling the NSSS, consideration was given to omitting the section on accuracy of
fabrication. The suggestion had been made that only accuracy of erected steelwork really
mattered in terms of the contract, and how individual components were manufactured could be
left to the Steelwork Contractor. However, steelwork for one project may be made in several
different locations, with more and more components being produced on automatic or semi-
automatic plant, needing clearly understood quality levels. It soon became obvious that a
statement had to be made of the accuracy that could be achieved when using properly maintained
equipment in a well-ordered workshop. These are the standards, referred to as permitted
deviations in 7 . 1. They provide acceptance criteria for incorporation into quality control
procedures at the time of fabrication.

A skeletal steel frame is there to support and stabilise the rest of the building structure. The
tolerances for the shape of the erected structure are set with this structural criterion in mind.
Accuracy of fabrication may be of concern to all dealing with the floors, walls, cladding, glazing
and anything else fixed to or supported by the steel frame. Accuracy of steelwork is not critical
in many cases, but in other instances it is of paramount importance and ignorance of Sections 7
and 9 can lead to untold costs and delays if provision is not made for the dimensional deviations
that can occur.

Cognisance should be taken of likely deviations when preparing the fabrication drawings so that
the most suitable detail can be chosen, or allowances can be made for adjustment. Packings may
be necessary to align members and to prevent a long line of butting members 'growing', as small
discrepancies build up (see 3.4.4). However, insertion or removal of packings at the erection
stage can only change the distance between the connection nodes; it cannot, in general, be used to
‘correct’ the shape of fabricated components in between nodes. For this reason the requirements
set for accuracy of fabrication need to be accommodated in connection details where other non-
structural parts of the building interface with the steelwork.

The NSSS does not give permitted deviations for assembled trusses. For hollow section trusses,
reference may be made to DD ENV 1090-4, and this may be used as a guide for assembly of
trusses from other section profiles.

7.2 — PERMITTED DEVIATIONS IN ROLLED COMPONENTS AFTER

FABRICATION

Cross section after fabrication

The starting point for accuracy in workmanship in steelwork construction is the dimensional
tolerance of hot-rolled sections, which is determined at the rolling mills; this is the subject of
7.2.1. The fabrication process is not intended to be used to improve the geometric accuracy of
rolled components in cross-section. The principal tolerances permitted on the shape of cross-
section of rolled components, taken from the standards listed in TABLE 2.1 of the NSSS are
shown in Figure 2.2.

74
Squareness of ends not prepared for bearing

The squareness of ends of components is

usually more significant in terms of
accuracy if the member is in
compression and bearing directly onto
another member. In any case, some
control is needed to ensure the correct
length of the member. The deviation NSSS 7.2.2 — Ends n o t in bearing
stipulated in 7.2.2, if the end is not in
bearing is considered satisfactory for
members in simple construction; the
more accurate requirement of 7.2.3
would normally be required for members
where the load is taken in direct bearing.
NSSS 7.2.3 — Ends prepared for bearing

The reference to 4.3.3(i) is made to indicate that column shafts connected to slab bases, where
grouting is employed under the slab base, do not require the greater accuracy in bearing (as long
as the flatness of the upper surface of the slab is maintained).

Columns, and other components in bearing, which have cross-section dimensions greater than
one metre, may require the squareness of the end to be more exact to achieve accuracy in
erection; hence the reference to 4.3.3(iii).

Care should be taken, when checking the deviation, to ensure that it is square to a true centre line
that bisects each end of the member, and not square to one end, otherwise any curvature in the
member will be translated into a bearing surface that will not be true when the member is
plumbed or aligned in the structure.

No reference is made in 7.2.2 or 7.2.3 to sawing or machining. The accuracy in 7.2.3 can usually
be achieved by sawing when using a well-maintained machine. However, machining may be
necessary when an accuracy of a saw cut end would not be within the permitted deviation.

Straightness and length

The straightness tolerance (7.2.4) is normally achieved by

material delivered from the rolling mills and this requirement
automatically meets the design criteria in BS 5950-1. If a
greater degree of accuracy is required, a straightening
operation will have to be carried out in the workshop.
Correcting very small discrepancies can be expensive. NSSS 7.2.4 — Straightness

The deviation of one thousandth of the length was chosen because this parameter is within that
assumed in buckling formulae when designing struts. Although there are situations when
columns or struts are not rolled to within this tolerance, it may not always be necessary or
advisable to straighten the member. A check of the design assumptions in the code and the
applied loading will often show that a more generous allowance does not threaten the stability of
the member.

75
The length deviation of ± 2mm, found in 7.2.5, is less
generous than BS 5950-2, which specifies ± 3mm.
However, it should be noted that in the NSSS the length is
measured on the centre line of the member and does not take
account of the squareness of ends. NSSS 7.2.5 Length

For curved or cambered members, 7.2.6 allows

twice the minimum amount of deviation as 7.2.4
for straight members. Theoretically the curve
should mirror the deflected shape, which is
usually parabolic. However, an arc of large
radius or a curve over the centre portion will
suffice. The deviation is measured at the centre NSSS 7.2.6 Cambered
of span only.

Members curved for architectural purposes rather

than to counteract deflections should have
maximum deviation at centre of span with
proportional deviations at other positions.

NSSS 7.2.6 Curved

7.3 — PERMITTED DEVIATION FOR ELEMENTS OF FABRICATED MEMBERS

Fittings

The need for proper alignment when transferring load from one member to another was
recognized when preparing 7.3.1. A typical detail envisaged could be a bolted beam to column
moment connection, which requires a compression stiffener to reinforce the column as shown in
Figure 7.1. The stiffener should not be more than 3mm out of nominal alignment with the beam
compression flange.

Figure 7.1 — Figure 7.2 —

Nominal alignment of a compression stiffener Deviation magnified at connection

76
Consider a screwed spigot boss as shown in Figure 7.2 welded to a roof member that is intended
to receive a glazing support bracket. The glazing panel may be supported at four such locations.
In this case the boss may be within 3mm of its true position but suffer an angular displacement
that could magnify the positional discrepancy several times at the point of connection to the
glazing. If there is repetition, and several brackets locate on single components, the angular
displacement can be retained in relative positions by a suitable jig, but the problem can still be
present if a group of components have to provide a grid of similar connections. The best solution
to suit all locations is to have a bracket connection that allows 3-dimensional adjustment; a
recommendation which would apply to any interface between different materials and if
responsibility for construction is shared (see Commentary on 9.5).

Holes

The permitted deviation of 2mm in the position of

holes, as required by 7 . 3 . 2 , takes account of normal
bolt clearances and avoids the possibility of material
being distorted during bolting up. If holes are part of a
group in the same connection, then clearly the deviation
must apply to the whole group in the same direction.
NSSS 7.3.2 — Position of holes
Any significant distortion in the material around
punched holes will prevent surfaces meeting properly.
The permitted deviation in 7.3.3 can easily be attained
by modern punching equipment. If punching is
employed in both elements being connected, it is
recommended that punching is made in one direction to
avoid doubling the gap at meeting surfaces.
NSSS 7.3.3 — Punched holes

Surface flatness

The degree of flatness for a full-contact bearing surface

envisaged for 7.3.5 was that the surface should appear
flat to the naked eye if a straight edge is placed against
it. If two mating surfaces are within this deviation, and
the squareness criteria (7.2.3) are observed, it is
normally possible to erect and align the joining
members with a gap no more than that stipulated in
9.6.5. Note that this flatness requirement is only for
situations where bearing is specified, and for most
situations the contact between members would be
sufficiently covered by the fit-up specified in 6.2.1 and NSSS 7.3.5 — Surface flatness
6.4.1 as relevant.

7.4 — PERMITTED DEVIATIONS IN PLATE GIRDER SECTIONS

Most plate girders are manufactured using automatic equipment for plate assembly, with main
flange-to-web welds made using continuous submerged arc welding techniques. Stiffeners are
welded into position with other automatic, or semi-automatic welding plant. Individual plates
used for plate girders are mainly cut to width using automatically operated thermal cutting
equipment.
77
The permitted deviations given in the sub-clauses of 7.4 are those that are attainable with the
equipment described, but some thin flanges may have to be preset to ensure their flatness after
welding. A special requirement is provided in 7.4.11 for squareness of flanges to web at bearing
support positions, so that the web properly resists vertical shear, and the permitted deviations of
the web and web stiffeners are those which are assumed in normal out-of-plane web buckling
design criteria.

The provisions for length, overall straightness and curving or cambering are essentially the same
as for rolled members. It is envisaged that curved and cambered shaping is achieved by cutting
the web plate to shape before welding, rather than bending the girder after welding.

7.5 — PERMITTED DEVIATIONS OF BOX SECTIONS

These requirements do not apply to hot-finished or cold-formed box sections produced by mills to
steel product standards; they apply to box girders and columns manufactured by welding plates
together, and, like plate girders, they are likely to have plates prepared for welding by automatic
plant. Permissible deviations are thus very similar to those for plate girders. Suitable edge and
end preparations coupled with balanced welding operations should ensure that straightness
requirements are met.

A box, being, torsionally stiff, would be difficult to square up after welding. It is envisaged that
squareness is retained by properly shaped diaphragms. The measurement of squareness in 7.5.2
is made relative to the adjacent sides because, in practice, it is much easier to measure than a
diagonal dimension.

78
79
 Commentary on Section 8
WORKMANSHIP — ERECTION
As with all other fabrication procedures, erection must be carried out in a logical, expeditious
manner, with due regard to safety. A safe method of working is an essential requirement for
erection and the NSSS has been compiled to ensure that this is not overlooked.

An important factor in safety is that each person's responsibilities must be clear to all others
involved, whether they are designing the structure, planning its erection, managing the erection or
actually working on site. The major roles are defined below, but the allocation of responsibilities
between employees of the Steelwork Contractor and/or his erection contractor is also important.

THE CONSTRUCTION (DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 1994

The regulations (referred to as the CDM Regulations) came into force on 31 March 1995, and
they signalled a further step forward in site safety. Under these regulations:
Clients have to appoint a Planning Supervisor to coordinate health and safety matters on a
project, and to ensure that adequate resources are available to comply with the requirements
of the regulations.
Designers are required to cooperate with the Planning Supervisor to demonstrate
compliance with Health and Safety legislation. Their design must take due account of
foreseeable risks to those involved on the construction of a project and its subsequent
maintenance. The safety plan prepared must include information about the design of the
structure or materials from which it is constructed which might affect health and safety.
A Principal Contractor must take reasonable steps to ensure that all contractors comply
with health and safety legislation and with the requirements set out in the safety plan. All
such requirements must be in written form and must be brought to the attention of those
affected by them.

The terms used in the Regulations do not necessarily coincide with the ones used in the NSSS, or
in the Contract Conditions, so care must be taken when referring to them. Thus in the
Regulations:
The Client means the person for whom a project is carried out. This could be the owner, or
a developer, or the agent of the owner or developer. The Client would only be the
Employer as defined in NSSS terms, if that person or company had also placed the
steelwork contract.
The Designer is any person who prepares the design, or who arranges for a person under
his control to prepare the design. Whilst there will generally only be one Client, one
Planning Supervisor and one Principal Contractor, there will in many contexts be several
Designers on each project. These will include the Architect, but as far as the steel frame is
concerned, the main Designer is the Engineer as defined in the NSSS. Those undertaking
connection design will also be classified as Designers under the CDM Regulations.
The Principal Contractor is appointed by the Client and can be any contractor who works
on the Site or who manages construction work on Site. If the Steelwork Contractor
happens to have a contract where he is responsible for most site activities, it is possible that
he would also be appointed the Principal Contractor. However, in many instances, when
steelwork is a subcontract, it will be the general contractor who is appointed to the role.

80
 The person appointed as Planning Supervisor can also be appointed as Principal
Contractor if he is competent to carry out the function of both appointments; in fact, the
Client can appoint himself to these duties if he is competent to perform the functions.

Guidance is available on the application of the CDM Regulations and other safety issues that
affect steel erection in BCSA’s Safer Erection of Steel-Framed Buildings (Ref. 3).

8.1 — GENERAL

The erection method statement required by 8.1.1 is intended to be prepared by the Steelwork
Contractor and submitted to the Engineer before commencing erection work.

The design risk assessment that the Designers need to complete in accordance with the
requirements of the CDM Regulations should be based on an outline ‘design-basis’ method of
erection and the scheme design for structural framing should be based upon this. Any hazards
that might affect the safe erection of the structure should be notified to the Steelwork Contractor
(see TABLE 1.4).

If the Steelwork Contractor's erection method is based on the designer's proposed erection
method, then the method statement should take appropriate account of the aspects notified. The
erection method statement should give all details of the erection scheme and procedures to be
adopted, stating clearly the drawings, and the latest issue of the drawings, to be used in erection.
It should include details of special features and connections as well as the type of fasteners to be
used. The stability, when lifted, of individual components and the resistance of single columns to
overturning should be critically assessed in conjunction with the design criteria given in
TABLES 1.2A to C.

In 8.1.2, acceptance of the erection statement by the Engineer does not alter the Steelwork
Contractor's responsibility for the erection scheme, but it does mean that the Engineer must check
that the method proposed is valid for his design, has not deviated from the design concept, and
comprises a safe method of erection.

The requirements on the Designer are given in Regulation 13 of the CDM Regulations. "Every
designer has to ensure that any design he prepares .........for the purposes of construction work
includes among the design considerations adequate regard ........... to the health and safety of any
person at work carrying out construction work." This reinforces the requirements in 8.1.2, which
in turn parallels sub-clause 2.1.1.2 in BS 5950-1. The Engineer should therefore have considered
whether safe erection is feasible when preparing his design.

The Engineer should review the whole of the erection method statement to ensure that the
Steelwork Contractor demonstrates a safe system of work, which accords with the design
assumptions made, and that all critical matters are dealt with. The Engineer’s principal concern
would be how the stability of the part-erected structure was to be maintained throughout the
stated sequence of erection. Assuming that, in the Engineer’s view, the Steelwork Contractor
was adjudged to be competent for the scope of work involved, there would generally be little
need for the Engineer to question detailed proposals in the method statement for craneage and the
means of achieving safe access. The latter items are more directly the concern of the Principal
Contractor, who, conversely, would generally be unable to judge the structural stability issues.

Setting out lines and datum levels are provided by the Employer and these are important to the
correct positioning and alignment of the structure. 8.1.3 stipulates that they should be adjacent to

81
the work so that sighting and measurements can be made accurately, without the need to transfer
from a distance. It is unreasonable to expect the erector to jeopardize the proper alignment of the
structure through having to transfer lines and levels from an out of the way corner of the Site with
several obstacles preventing direct sighting.

The aim of 8.1.4 is that handling and stacking should be kept to a minimum. It is important to
arrange transportation with this in mind.

Since it is not always possible to use suitable protection around painted components, it is
important that the Steelwork Contractor makes provision for lifting devices on such members to
avoid damage to the paintwork. Where stacking is necessary, timber spacers should be used to
avoid damage and abrasion to surfaces. The Steelwork Contractor should ensure that the
steelwork is stored in a manner such that it can be lifted in the proper sequence for erection, and
that marks are clearly visible at all times.

It should be planned that, if steelwork is to be placed in storage areas, provision should be made
to keep it clear of the ground. Components should not be allowed to become covered with mud
and dirt on site. Workmen should be discouraged from walking on steelwork which is stacked
and awaiting erection.

Containers or bins should be provided for small items and bolt assemblies. It is a stipulation that
they are stored under cover in dry conditions. Welding consumables must also be stored in dry
conditions since moisture is detrimental to them.

In 8.1.5, provision is made for damaged steelwork to be restored "to the standards of
manufacture". This is not intended to mean that members cannot be straightened on site.
Although straightening can cause localised stressing beyond yield strength of the material, this is
not usually detrimental as steel is a malleable material having enough ductility to accept such
treatment. However, severe hammering to bring back to shape is not acceptable.

It is necessary on occasions to make some fabrications completely on site. This should be

acceptable provided the same standards as applied to shop fabrications are adopted.

Column base packings are often overlooked in the design; 8.1.6 provides some rules for them.
9.1.1 makes -30mm an acceptable permitted deviation in concrete foundation level, so packs must
be available in sufficient thicknesses to accommodate this deviation whatever grout space is
provided. The packs should be flat and free from burred edges, and must be positioned to suit
column base plate details and the method of plumbing the column.

Although 8.1.7 requires that grouting of column bases is not done until a sufficient portion of
the structure is aligned, levelled and plumbed, it should not be used as an excuse for delaying
grouting for weeks or months on end. Subsequent operations may cause movement in column
positions that are not grouted. A column cannot be considered as fully anchored until grouting is
complete.

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8.2 — SITE CONDITIONS

The Employer's responsibilities on Site, in NSSS terms, are given in 8.2.1. Proper hard-
standing areas and firm road accesses suitable for the delivery of heavy steel members on
standard vehicles are needed. Even more importantly, suitable areas are needed for the safe
operation of the Steelwork Contractor’s plant during his erection operations. There is widespread
demand that steel erectors should work as far as possible from mobile elevating working
platforms [MEWPs]. This means that the Site area the Employer needs to prepare for plant
operation now extends to much of the Site and greatly exceeds that which is needed solely for the
positioning and operation of cranes. Thus, to assist the clarification as to whether the Site is safe
for steel erection to proceed, the Safe Site Handover Certificate [SSHC] includes a checklist of
such items (see 8.3.1(i) and Ref. 5). The stage at which the Site is handed over for steel erection
to commence is too late to find out that the ground bearing pressures are unsuited to the safe
operation of the Steelwork Contractor’s cranes and MEWPs. Hence, the ground bearing capacity
should be specified in the Pre-Tender Health & Safety Plan.

The Site should be free of standing water, and the Employer may have to pump foundation pits
clear of water so that work at foundation level can be carried out.

He also has the duty to be aware of positions of all new and existing underground services, and to
acquaint the Steelwork Contractor with details of any that are in the working areas being used.

If any overhead obstructions exist that would prevent the proper operation of cranes for use in
erection, the Employer should arrange temporary or permanent removal. This requirement
includes the removal of electric wires and cables that might be a safety hazard during erection
and the clear marking of routes for cranes and similar vehicles within the Site.

In 8.2.2, the Steelwork Contractor's responsibility includes the design of any temporary supports
for crane footings. Timber spreaders, or other means should be provided to ensure that the
ground bearing capacity under the crane supports is not exceeded. The Steelwork Contractor
should be fully aware of the requirements of BS 7121: Code of practice for safe use of cranes,
which includes including inspection, testing and examination of cranes.

8.3 — SAFETY

Safety is re-emphasised once again in these clauses. In 8.3.1 reference is made to parties’
obligations for the safe erection of the structure under the CDM Regulations and the SSHC, and
with respect to the appropriate sections of BS 5531: Code of Practice for safety in erection of
structural frames, which deals with steel, timber, precast concrete and plastic frames.

The Steelwork Contractor's responsibilities for safety are outlined in 8.3.2, and include
compliance with both the Employer's rules for operating the Site and current legislation. Much of
this is now included in the CDM Regulations and, in particular, in the Construction Health &
Safety Plan.

Safety is the subject of much legislation in addition to the CDM Regulations and it is embraced in
new European directives. A publication that contains safety guidance for site-based staff is the
Erector's Manual, available from the BCSA (see Ref. 14).

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8.4 — STABILITY

These clauses are intended to ensure that the structure being erected is fully stable at all times. In
this context it means three things:
the stability of members being lifted and until properly restrained,
the strength and stability of components to resist temporary erection loading, and
the overall stability of the structure until permanent features are added.

To avoid instability of individual members or the part-erected structure as a whole, temporary

restraints may be necessary for any of these categories until all steelwork and other permanent
restraints are in position. Short length components are not likely to have stability problems;
however, long components and particularly long, deep components may be expected to require
restraints when they are being lifted and until some, or all, permanent members are in position.

Particularly vulnerable components are:

Lattice girders with single gusset plate joints.
Narrow flanged beams and plate girders that will need more than one permanent restraint
after erection.
Members to form steel/concrete composite floor beams having to support wet concrete
without restraints.
Members relying on metal decking to stabilise them until other parts are in position.
Members having to resist high wind loads in the temporary condition.
Members in significant compression.

Special attention is paid in 8.4.1 to temporary restraints, which are a design requirement until
permanent features are built. This is because it is considered that the Engineer, being the
designer, knows which permanent features provide restraints in the finished structure. He is also
aware of the design stresses in the components. On the other hand the Steelwork Contractor,
when building a complicated frame, may be unaware of these matters. It is therefore incumbent
on the Engineer to advise the Steelwork Contractor about these features, particularly if it is not
obvious from reading the design drawings, as they constitute hazards under the CDM
Regulations.

The Steelwork Contractor is required to design and provide any temporary bracing and restraints
needed. Full details should be included in the erection method statement.

The purpose of 8.4.2 is to make it clear that the Employer and other subcontractors should not
rely on the temporary restraints used for erection purposes being kept in position after lining
and levelling of the steelwork is complete unless the Steelwork Contractor has been specifically
requested to leave the temporary restraints in position. If there is any possibility of the structure
distorting before walls and cladding are in position, then temporary bracing should obviously
remain after steel erection is complete. However, the Steelwork Contractor should be informed
of the requirement so that it can be properly programmed and costed (see TABLES 1.4(viii) and
1.7).

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8.5 — ERECTION LOADS

Temporary loading from erection equipment should be ascertained and calculations made to
ensure that the structure is not overloaded.

The greatest danger is temporary stacking of material from following trades as work proceeds,
where point loads can overstress beams as well as causing local damage. The Principal
Contractor now has an obligation under CDM Regulations to prevent other contractors from
overloading the structure. Stacks of steel decking, concrete units and access scaffolding are
common potential causes of overload.

8.6 — LINING AND LEVELLING

The purpose of 8.6.1 regarding alignment is to ensure a logical sequence to erection activities in
lining and levelling, to avoid unnecessary remedial work in having to repeat operations
completed earlier.

BS 5964: Building setting out and measurement provides much useful information including the
transfer of benchmarks, whilst BS 7307: Building Tolerances, Measurement of buildings and
building products deals with the measurement of buildings. It also refers to building tolerances,
but does not give detailed requirements for steelwork erection. Section 9 of the NSSS is relevant
to permitted deviations.

8.6.2 serves as a reminder that temperature effects must be considered in the erection of
steelwork. The coefficient for linear expansion of steel is 1.2 x 10-5 per oC, e.g. a 10°C rise in
temperature expands 100 metre length of steel by 12mm. Temperature is therefore a factor to
take into account when making measurements; both steel tapes and steelwork are affected. In
high-rise structures that may be partially in shade, measurements are best taken in early morning
when temperatures are more constant. Comprehensive information on measuring instruments is
given in BS 7334: Measuring instruments for building construction (see also Commentary on
TABLE 1.2A(xvii)).

8.7 — SITE WELDING

The NSSS intends that all welding is of the same quality whether performed on site or in the
workshops. Section 5 specifies relevant requirements.

This should not deter the use of Site welding, since experience has shown that it can be
successfully undertaken on both heavy and light steel structures with good overall economy when
proper planning for welding has taken place.

Factors to be considered are:

floor by floor completion to give good working areas,
use of light easily erected working platforms,
protection from inclement weather,
portable ovens for keeping electrodes moisture free,
heated quivers for carrying electrodes,

85
 close attention to steel ‘carbon equivalent’ in accordance with BS EN 1011-2 and to steel
sulphur content which can contribute to lamellar tearing in conditions where the weld is
restrained in tension on cooling,
carefully designed temporary cleats and brackets to maintain the required gap between
components to be welded and to secure the components under loadings from self-weight,
wind etc,
careful detailing to ensure downhand welding,
use of details and techniques to avoid the necessity for excessive pre-heating,
provision of temporary means o f support and stability until welding is complete.

8.8 — SITE BOLTING

Since a large proportion of all bolting is performed on site, a direct reference to Section 6 is
appropriate.

It may not be feasible for an inspection to be made of all bolted joints on site, and it is therefore
advisable to keep the procedures for installing and tightening fasteners as simple as possible. The
use of standard length fully threaded bolts is one way in which to ensure the correct fastener has
been used (see Commentary on 2.7). Occasionally, there may be a need to use non-standard or
proprietary fasteners to secure components on site. In such cases, special care is needed to ensure
that these have been properly secured, as their behaviour may differ from the conventional and
well-understood nut and bolt.

8.9 — CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION

This clause is designed to ensure that both parties to the contract have signified that the erection
work has been satisfactorily completed. The Employer and Steelwork Contractor sign the
certificate, prepared by the Steelwork Contractor, when the work is fully complete, or, in the case
of phased construction, when the section of the work is complete.

Many other trades follow steelwork erection to complete the building. It is therefore in
everyone's interest to be satisfied that the steelwork is correct and accepted before further work
proceeds. Remedial work at a later date can be very expensive

The Steelwork Contractor must signify that the work is finished and that he has satisfactorily
completed his inspection routines.

The Employer must signify that he has completed any checks he wishes to make and that he
accepts the structure, as built, as being satisfactory with regard to the Project Specification.

This clause does not, of course, indemnify the Steelwork Contractor if any other items of faulty
workmanship are found later. However, it may be prudent for both parties to write into the
certificate comments about particular topics that have been agreed, so that matters are fully
recorded if problems arise later.

86
87
 Commentary on Section 9
WORKMANSHIP — ACCURACY OF ERECTED
STEELWORK
Tolerances for erected steelwork are a comparatively recent innovation. British Standard
Specifications for steelwork ignored the subject until the advent of BS 5950 in 1985. The limits
on the shape of rolled members were always governed by BS 4, and there was an understanding
that members would be cut to a length of ±1/16"(1.6mm). This one tolerance alone provided
adequate safeguards for the erection of steel frames for more than 50 years. Today, whilst
steelwork observes permissible deviations written in specification terms; some other components
have only generalisations on shape tolerances given in codes of practice, and construction
tolerances in BS 5606: Guide to accuracy in building.

A deviation 'envelope' can be established from the values given in Section 9, in which each
member of a structure should be built. Other tolerances are provided, which can sometimes be
more important, giving the permissible variation between adjacent members. When considering
the fixing of floors, walls, cladding and glazing to steelwork, it is the relative accuracy of
adjacent members which is often most critical, not an exact position in space.

It is not difficult to show that if the cumulative effect of the fabrication and material deviations
coupled with erection deviations are considered, some members may be outside the deviation
'envelope' required for fitting other components directly to the steel. This is why, in the
preparation of drawings, the fabrication deviations have to be recognised and provision made for
adjustment where necessary to comply with the permissible erection deviations (s ee 3. 4. 4).

A detailed consideration of Tolerances in Steel Construction has been included at Annex A to

this Commentary.

9.1 — PERMITTED DEVIATIONS FOR FOUNDATIONS, WALLS AND

FOUNDATION BOLTS

Foundations and column bases

The permitted deviations affecting a

column base plate are shown
together in Figure 9.1. It can be
seen that they have been arranged
so that the tolerance on the concrete
foundation permits a lower level but
not a higher one; to compensate, the
setting out of foundation bolts is
required to be higher than the
theoretical level. Practical use can
then be made of base packs (see
8.1.6) to level the column so that
the components connected to it are
within a level of ±10 mm as
required by 9.6.7. Figure 9.1 — Tolerances for adjustable column bases

88
It should be noted that the deviations in 9.1.3 to 9.1.5 are referring to a single bolt or a bolt group.
The understanding is that a group of bolts will be set using a template to ensure the correct
relationship of all bolts in the group for a column base plate.

Whilst the majority of Steelwork Contractors prefer adjustable foundations bolts, some have an
undoubted preference for preset, non-adjustable, bolts. When this type of foundation bolt can be
correctly located, in plan, to within 3mm, as required by 9.1.4 it has the distinct advantage of
automatically aligning the columns, and adjustment being confined to levelling and plumbing. It
has obvious advantages for portal frames where the natural tendency for the frame to spread is
prevented once the base is located on the bolts.

VERTICAL WALLS

The Engineer dealing with a steelwork

connection to a vertical wall face has
to make allowances for a wall being
up to 15mm out of position in
accordance with 9.1.2. Pre-set bolts
must of course be able to cover the
30mm 'envelope' on the position of the
walls. In 9.1.5 provision is made for
this with 25mm being added to the
expected normal protrusion of 20mm
needed to accommodate the nut and
washers plus a further tolerance.
Figure 9.2 shows the type of
connection envisaged.

Figure 9.2 — Connection to a wall

If the connection detail shown is developing vertical shear forces, it would be necessary to design
for bolt bending to take account of load eccentricity, unless the packs shown were welded to the
beam end plate.

9.2 — FOUNDATION INSPECTION

Experience dictates the wisdom of requiring the Steelwork Contractor to inspect the foundations
before erection commences. There is little point in bringing an erection team to the Site when
remedial work is needed to the levels of foundations or the position of HD bolts. It has to be
remembered that the Steelwork Contractor is inspecting for foundation bolt position only.
Acceptance of the foundations by the Steelwork Contractor implies nothing more than that the
holding down bolts are dimensionally within the permitted deviations relative to a setting out
point and building lines provided by others. It does not, in any way, relieve the foundation
contractor of the obligation that he should have in his own contract regarding the true position of
the foundations.

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9.3 — STEELWORK

The permitted deviations specified in the NSSS were determined after discussing with Engineers
what could reasonably be accepted, and with Steelwork Contractors, as to what was reasonably
practical. A higher degree of accuracy would be reflected in a much higher cost. Deviations
given in this Section are for the bare frame, acting under self-weight only. If other loading is
encountered at the time of measurement, the Engineer should advise the predicted change in the
geometry of the frame.

This clause makes the point that temperature must be considered and a cross reference is made to
8.6.2 which deals with the effect of temperature on dimensions. Where there is a problem, it is
best to take dimensions early in the day, when the whole structure is more likely to be at an even
temperature.

There are other matters which affect plumbing and alignment, and which are sometimes wrongly
construed as being caused by out of tolerance members.

They are:
member or frame deflections under load have not been fully recognized,
temperature effects such that expansion joints should have been included,
members lacking torsional stiffness allowing other elements to rotate,
the effect of asymmetrical loading has been overlooked.

Most of the diagrams shown in Section 9 indicate rolled sections. The intention of the NSSS is
that RHS, CHS and larger built-up shapes are to be erected to the same tolerances as those
permitted in rolled shapes portrayed in the diagrams.

Deviations in this Section are shown to be at the ends of members or at node points where the
level and position can be adjusted. This is elaborated in more detail by reference to DD ENV
1090-1 given in the Annex to this Commentary.

9.4 — DEVIATIONS

Deviations beyond those permitted in 9.6 are nonconformities, and the interpretation of the
source of such nonconformities can be difficult. There is the inevitable variability in methods of
measurement, the expected deflections, cambers, presets and elastic movements of components.
These must be weighed before deciding what action to take.

It is considered that Section 9 coupled with the fabrication tolerances in Section 7 give a basis
for use in most structures. Whilst the Steelwork Contractor must make every effort to maintain
the standards laid down, there will be occasions when the question 'Does it matter?' will arise.
Common sense should prevail. Stability of the erected frame must always be observed, but some
judgement may be exercised in issues relating to exact geometry of the frame. There is little to
gain in holding up a contract while the Steelwork Contractor, who has safely and adequately
erected the steelwork, has to push and pull the steel members again to achieve the last few
millimetres in position of the column or beam.

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9.5 — INFORMATION FOR OTHER CONTRACTORS

It is most important that other contractors associated with a project, know the permitted
deviations in fabrication and erection, and also the variation that they may find in rolled steel
sections (see Figure 2.2). Following steel erection, the Engineer has to advise the contractors of
the permitted deviations in steelwork dimensions, so that clearances are allowed and the
connections to the steel frame are made to suit and have the appropriate range of adjustment (see
Commentary on 7.3).

The importance of having adequate adjustment in cladding attachments cannot be over-

emphasised, particularly if large rigid panels have to be attached to more than one member.
Having to cut and re-weld brackets at site can be very expensive and plays havoc with the
erection programme.

Similarly, the Engineer has to advise the Foundation Contractor of the degree of accuracy
required in positioning foundation bolts (see 9.1). The Steelwork Contractor will detail and
fabricate column bases in the expectation of these values being achieved.

9.6 — PERMITTED DEVIATIONS OF ERECTED COMPONENTS

Previously the NSSS gave emphasis to the location of the first column erected with a tighter
tolerance of ±5mm. The expectation was that subsequently erected adjacent columns would be
within ±10mm. The philosophy is now that that each column should be located within 10mm of
its specified position (9.6.1), and this is consistent with the limit of 20mm set in 9.6.2 for true
overall dimension for plan dimensions up to 30m. However, beyond 30m some additional
latitude is allowed on overall permissible plan dimensions in 9.6.2 as the columns positions are
generally specified relative to the supporting foundations, which can often require such additional
latitude.

The Foundation Contractor must nevertheless be made aware that the requirements of 9.6.2 do set
a limit for the position of the foundation for the most remote column, relative to the foundation
for the column first erected. This is essential if the foundation bolts are to be correctly placed in
the remote foundation. The Steelwork Contractor must then ensure that the steelwork has
sufficient adjustment so that the overall length is maintained within the tolerances stipulated in
9.6.2. This can be achieved by the method of adjustment being included in the detailing (e.g.
beams generally detailed one millimetre short, with shim plates for use as occasional packings).

Whilst 9.6.3 requires single storey columns being

plumb to within 1/600 of the height, portal frame
columns are excluded. Nevertheless, if the
Engineer specifies the amount of pre-set required,
in accordance with TABLE 1.2 (xvii), the
specified deviations can be used as a tolerance on
the pre-set dimension.

NSSS 9.6.3 — Single storey columns

plumb

91
The column plumb limits for multi-storey
buildings in 9.6.4 were considered particularly
applicable to medium height structures of five to
fifteen storeys. However, the maximum permitted
deviation of 50mm may be equally suitable for
taller structures.

Columns in the area of lift shafts may need more

stringent limits. The elevator guide tolerances
commonly restrict the plumb of adjacent columns,
but the design of the frame may also have to NSSS 9.6.4 — Multi-storey columns
restrict the horizontal displacement under wind plumb
forces. Therefore deflection and plumb may have
to be considered together (see Ref. 15 — SCI
Publication P103).

Final plumbing of columns is likely to determine

the gap between bearing surfaces at splice
positions. The permissible gap is given in 9.6.5.
As further load is applied to elements in bearing,
the parts in contact will yield until there is
sufficient area to carry the load, and the gap closes.
However, if the gap is excessive, unwanted
eccentricity may be introduced. Experience shows
that the permitted deviation is satisfactory for most NSSS 9.6.5 — Gap between bearing
structural conditions and this is supported by test surfaces
results ( s e e Re f . 16).
If the deviation in alignment of adjacent columns
takes place in an abrupt way, all manner of
complications could arise and make life impossible
for other trades making connections to the steel
frame. 9.6.4, by itself, could theoretically allow
two columns to vary with an out of plumb
dimension at the top of 100 mm, if they were each
at the maximum deviation in opposite directions;
this is clearly absurd. The alignment of adjacent
perimeter columns is therefore introduced in 9.6.6 NSSS 9.6.6 — Alignment of adjacent
to avoid this anomaly. The intention is that perimeter columns
adjacent perimeter columns should vary by no
more than the deviation indicated at the base or
splice. These positions are stipulated because they
are the points where some adjustment is possible.
A varying degree of straightness in adjacent
columns may cause a greater discrepancy between
these points.

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The three clauses 9.6.7, 9.6.8 and 9.6.9 are
intended to ensure a maximum deviation of ±10
mm for floor beams at the connection-to-column
positions, but without any abrupt changes of level.
This is ensured by the 5mm rule applying to the
relative levels between opposite ends of a beam or
for the ends of adjacent beams.

Since the straightness and deflection of a beam will

vary along its length, the actual variation in level at
NSSS 9.6.7 — Floor beam level
intermediate points could theoretically exceed the
limits given at connection-to-column positions. In
practice, deviations that occur in normal situations
should not cause stability problems or concern.

The alignment vertically of beams is largely

related to the plumb of the columns. Clause 9.6.10
therefore allows the same deviation for beams at
their end connections as in 9.6.4 for column
alignment.

NSSS 9.6.10 — Beam alignment

Crane gantries have a particular need for accuracy in erection if the crane is to operate freely
with minimal maintenance. Clauses 9.6.11, 9.6.12, 9.6.13 and 9.6.14 were formulated to achieve
this.

If the gantry is at a high level, the permitted deviation from plumb of the column at crane girder
level is such that, in practice, adequate adjustment is almost always provided in the connection of
the crane girder to the column.

If the columns are erected to the accuracy

demanded in 9.6.11, and proper adjustment
allowed, then it should be possible to align each
crane track to ±5mm of its nominal position.

An alignment limit between adjacent columns is

not stated, but it should not be allowed to be
more than that provided by 9.6.6; i.e. an
absolute discrepancy of 10mm for any height of
column.

NSSS 9.6.11 — Crane gantry: columns

plumb

93
The overall allowance of ±10mm in 9.6.12
takes account of the possibility of each track
being at its maximum deviation in opposite
directions. It is prudent to connect the crane
rails to the crane girder using adjustable clips, if
the more onerous tolerances required by
Appendix F of BS 466: Specification for power
driven overhead travelling cranes are to be
achieved.
NSSS 9. 6. 12 — Crane gantries gauge of rail
tracks
The intention of 9.6.13 is that adjacent crane
rails should be, to all intents and purposes,
level. A deviation of 0.5mm is hardly
measurable and is simply a definition of
'levelness'. As the rail joints are unlikely to
coincide with the crane girder joints, it may be
necessary to grind the top surface at, say a slope
of 1:100, to ensure that adjacent rails are 'level'
at the joint.
NSSS 9.6.13 — Joints in gantry crane rails
Similarly a limit of 1.0mm is set for out-of-
alignment of the ends of adjacent crane rail
lengths in 9.6.14.

Profile metal floor decking is fixed to beams,

and it is relative to those supporting beams that
the edge position of the decking is controlled.
Hence, 9.6.15 sets a limit on the deviation of
the edge trim to the decking from the actual line
of the adjacent supporting beam. As the setting
out of the edge trim also determines the edge of
the concrete slab to which cladding elements
are connected, any mismatch between the
requirements for alignment of the cladding and
the cumulative steel frame tolerances would be
likely to emerge at this interface. In such
circumstances, if the line of the edge trim is
selected to fit the cladding alignment and to
over-rule 9.6.15, the Engineer would need to
check that any increased overhang of the slab
beyond the edge beam is acceptable. NSSS 9.6.15 — Profile steel floor decking

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95
 C o m m e n t a r y o n S e c t i o n 10
PROTECTIVE TREATMENT
The aim of Section 10 is to provide the ground rules for good practice in the preparation of
structural steelwork for surface protective treatment and the application of the protective
treatments. The actual treatment to be used should be stated in the Project Specification as
discussed in the notes to Section 1 (see TABLE 1.5).

Although outside the scope of these notes, it should be recognized that designers and detailers of
steelwork should endeavour to minimise the possibility of corrosion by avoiding traps for
moisture and ensuring easy access to surfaces requiring to be painted. Detailed notes on
designing to prevent corrosion can be found in BS EN ISO 12944: Paints and varnishes.
Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems and in the obsolescent
Standard that the ISO Standard partially replaces BS 5493: Code of practice for Protective
coating of iron and steel structures against corrosion, Appendix A.

Many steel building structures, where internal steelwork is situated in a dry environment, do not
require protective treatment. However, where it is required, it should be specified in a manner
that is clear, concise and technically achievable. A good protective treatment specification does
not give scope for controversy and dispute. It also enables the work to be planned so as to
provide conditions necessary for successful protection. Section 10 provides rules to achieve this.

It should be remembered that mistakes made in the type or application of protective treatments
can prove very expensive to rectify. Remedial work may have to be carried out in very difficult
locations if the mistake is found after the steelwork has been erected.

10.1 — GENERAL

The importance of a correctly prepared protective treatment specification cannot be over-

emphasised. Detailed guidance notes can be found in Parts 3 and 8 of BS EN ISO 12944 and
Section 3 of BS 5493. Paint technology is continuously developing and 'paint life' is being
improved, so paint manufacturers should be approached for latest guidance on these matters.
Unless experienced in the preparation of protective treatment specifications, expert advice should
be sought. Steelwork Contractors, Paint Manufacturers and Corus’ (formerly British Steel’s)
advisory services will suggest suitable treatments for particular use.

CIRIA convened an expert group to recommend suitable generic paint systems for the protection
of steelwork (see Ref. 17), and a summary of these recommendations are included as Annex B to
this Commentary.

As well as providing protection against corrosion, treatments may also give fire protection if
intumescent paints are used, or simply be provided for cosmetic reasons.

Paints and thinners contain volatile materials that may be harmful if vented to the environment.
For this reason, the release of volatile organic compounds [VOCs] is controlled under the
Environmental Protection Act [EPA]. BCSA and Paint Manufacturers collaborate with the
regulatory authorities to secure practical implementation of the EPA, and Guidance Note PG6/23
has been developed for this purpose. Regulatory controls are progressively reducing the
permitted levels of emissions, and Steelwork Contractors who possess coating application
facilities will observe the latest guidance, as required by 10.1.1.

96
The local authorities that are charged with implementing the guidance, pay regular visits to
facilities in their area, and will require the operators to implement phased plans for continuing
improvement. One advance that has been implemented widely is the greater use of so-called
“compliant coatings”, which are generally two-pack coatings that emit far less VOCs. Specifiers
can assist applicators by selecting coatings with low VOC content if feasible.

As required by 10.1.1, unless agreed otherwise, it is necessary to utilise a single source of supply
for coatings, by which is meant using products supplied originally by a single manufacturer. The
reasons for this are that it will eliminate problems of intercoat-compatibility, and should ensure
that the manufacturer’s recommendations in terms of specification for application and product
durability remain unambiguous. Manufacturers are also keen to ensure the proper application of
their products to avoid warranty claims, and hence they generally monitor closely the operations
of applicators that they supply.

The value of the Steelwork Contractor providing a written method statement, as required by
10.1.2, is that this demonstrates to the Employer that the protective treatment specification and
the quality control and inspection procedures required to ensure conformity with the specification
have been satisfactorily described and are understood. A good method statement, like the
specification itself, can serve as a basis for early clarification of requirements and so reduce the
likelihood of disputes and misunderstandings once the work is in progress.

10.1.3, dealing with coating procedures, refers directly to the manufacturer’s recommendations
as the data sheets prepared by the manufacturer will fully define the following, which should be
taken into account when preparing the method statement:
The environmental conditions in which coating work can proceed to suit the application
properties of the materials being used and suggested practical methods for improving the
immediate environment of the application and drying and curing processes.
Some materials and application processes are not so sensitive to inclement conditions and
some latitude may be permitted by the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The temperatures of the environment and of the surface to be coated can affect the
following characteristics of paint before, during and after application:
Solvent retention.
Viscosity of liquid coatings and consequently the brushing and spraying properties.
Thickness and appearance of dry films.
Drying time.
Pot-life, curing time and overcoating periods of two-pack materials.
The method statement should stipulate that coatings are not applied to surfaces where the
relative humidity of the atmosphere is such that:
Condensation is present on the surface, or
It will affect the application and/or drying of the coating.
When heating is being used to control the relative humidity of the environment in enclosed
working spaces, it is usual to specify that heaters which exhaust combustion gases into the
working environment should not be used.
Clauses may be included in a method statement to permit preliminary preparation to be
done in the open under conditions which would not be suitable for final preparation.

97
 Precautions should be taken to ensure that prepared surfaces or surfaces with a wet coating
are not contaminated.
The entire programme of surface preparation and coating application should be planned in
detail at an early stage.
Adequate lighting of surfaces is essential, with sufficient illumination for work and
inspection.
Coating work carried out must comply with all relevant Health and Safety Regulations and
the EPA.

There is no doubt that the use of environmentally controlled shop conditions affords the best
means of realising the full potential of protective systems. Such shop conditions are always
preferable, and with some product specifications, essential.

The requirements for proper storage of materials for protective treatment will be included in the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Proper use of materials, in sequential order of delivery, should
be ensured by a batch date-marking system. Most paint materials have a shelf life that is
measured in months rather than years and many are susceptible to frost. The shelf life is the time
that the material will remain in good condition when stored under normal conditions; it applies
only to materials stored unopened in their original containers (see BS 2015: Glossary of paint and
related terms).

Clause 10.1.4 covers transportation, handling and storage procedures to minimize damage to
coated steelwork, but specific requirements cannot be given since structural steel components
vary in size and shape. The aim is for minimum re-handling of steelwork and a storage system
should be arranged to suit this. Where painted steelwork can be stacked, it should be separated
with timber spacers. If anything is placed around the steelwork to protect the paint or metallic
coating, additional care must be taken to ensure that the lifting arrangements do not allow the
chain slings to slip. Galvanized components require similar care in handling to that accorded to
black steel.

Some protective systems are more robust than others and capable of withstanding rougher
treatment but it is virtually impossible to avoid some damage to paint treatments in handling and
transport. For this reason it is strongly recommended that final paint coats are applied at site,
after erection, and that no specification is chosen that does not have a matching ‘touch-in’
specification.

10.2 — SURFACE PREPARATION

Criteria for surface preparation are established in terms of the relevant Parts of BS 7079 (which
are have the same technical content but are numbered differently as ISO Standards). The
acceptability of the substrate is determined by reference to what is needed for the following
application coating. The method of surface preparation may be by wire brushing or by blast
cleaning, provided that the required surface cleanliness and profile are achieved (see 10.2.1,
10.2.2 and 10.2.3). If wire brushing is used it will not be possible to remove all mill-scale and
rust. Unless under cover, freshly delivered from the rolling mill, or from an enclosed stockyard,
the steel surface will be covered with a variable mix of mill-scale and rust as a result of
weathering or moisture condensation over prolonged periods. Wire brushing can only remove
loose mill-scale and is followed by cleaning to remove dust, oil and grease. Wire brushing is
generally only used on steel which remains in a dry environment.

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BS 7079 Part A1 is now used in place of the Swedish specification previously in common use.
The pictorial illustrations of various levels of surfaces are the same as the Swedish SIS 05 59 00.

Adherence of paint or metallic coatings depends upon the roughness and profile of the surface.
Shot and well-used cut wire abrasives give a smoother blast profile than that produced by angular
abrasives. However, the use of the latter is preferred for some paint coatings, and is essential for
metal-sprayed coatings. If in doubt about the surface to specify, seek advice from the paint
manufacturers. Metallic abrasives are designated as Group E in BS 7079, whilst non-metallic
abrasives are Group F.

The reference to cleanliness is intended to include freedom from dampness, since the blast
cleaned surface will rapidly deteriorate where moisture can collect. In this respect, night-time
temperatures should be taken at the prevailing humidity levels within the fabrication shop to
check if condensation may form on the steel surface. The steel will have a thermal lag compared
with the surrounding air and, if shop heating is discontinuous, steel that has cooled overnight and
then exposed to warmed air at the start of the day shift may suffer condensation, especially
between autumn and spring.

One of the consequences of effective blast cleaning may be to expose a defect that is present on
the steel surface. 10.2.4 requires that the defect is dealt with in accordance with 2.5(ii) or 2.5(iii),
but steel surfaces are generally more easily rectified at an early stage before fabrication begins.

10.3 — SPRAYED METAL COATINGS

Sprayed metal coatings, sometimes used as the only protection, and sometimes with further sealer
or paint coats added, can provide a long life. 10.3.1 refers to the relevant BS EN 22063: Metallic
and other inorganic coatings. Thermal spraying. Zinc, aluminium and their alloys, but the
specifier will need to decide the thickness of coating to be applied and what metal is to be
sprayed. The choice of zinc, aluminium or an alloy will depend on the environment. After
spraying, the surface is usually given a sealing treatment anyhow, and it is a requirement of
10.3.3 for sealing before painting to be undertaken before subsequent overcoating. If the
surface is not being overcoated and is not sealed, it may suffer from white staining if stored in
damp and un-ventilated conditions. (Further comments about white rust staining will be found in
the Commentary on 10.4.)

Clause 10.3.2 requires that damaged coatings must be repaired. This will require cleaning and
washing down. If a needle gun is used in the cleaning, care should be taken not to create a
weakness in the area around the damage. It may be possible for smaller damaged areas on both
aluminium and zinc-sprayed steel to be repaired by a suitable paint treatment, but this would
require the Engineer to accept that a paint repair was to the performance standard of the original
sprayed metal coating. The use of two-pack zinc-rich epoxy paints is the preferred method.

It is essential that in cleaning the damaged area, the surface roughness is controlled, and that the
paint coating thickness is sufficient to adequately cover any peaks on this surface. Zinc rich
primers can also suffer from white staining if stored in damp and un-ventilated conditions.

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10.4 — HOT-DIP GALVANIZING

Hot-dip galvanizing by immersing suitably cleaned steel in a bath of molten zinc after fabrication
is another long life process. 10.4.1 invokes BS EN ISO 1461: Hot dip galvanized coatings on
fabricated iron and steel articles. Specifications and test methods which deals with the
composition of zinc in the galvanizing bath, appearance and uniformity of coating, distortion,
cracking and embrittlement of the base metal of the item being galvanized.

The NSSS does not specify any particular rules for care after galvanizing, but it is sometimes
prone to a white storage stain (white rust) if it is stored in damp un-ventilated conditions. In
extreme cases, the stain is voluminous and unsightly. Unless white rust is removed, any intended
painting may suffer from adhesion problems. Light deposits of white rust can usually be
removed with a stiff bristle brush but heavier deposits may need to be chemically removed by
treating with a 5% solution of sodium or potassium dichromate with the addition of 0.5% by
volume of concentrated sulphuric acid. The solution is applied by brush and left to react for
about half a minute before thoroughly rinsing off and drying. Some loss of galvanized coating
thickness will have occurred over the white rust areas and the metal thickness should be checked
with a suitable coating thickness gauge.

In accordance with 10.4.2, vent holes must always be provided in hollow sections which are to be
galvanized; an explosion can occur without them. If the Engineer specifies it, such holes may be
sealed with a suitable plug after galvanizing.

Galvanized steel is not readily damaged but, as with all protective coatings, lifting and handling
procedures should be specified to minimise coating damage (see 10.1). If damage does occur,
galvanized coatings cannot generally be repaired by the same process. Touching up of small
areas may be undertaken with coatings that are very rich in metallic zinc (so-called ‘cold
galvanizing’). Larger areas may require the selection of a paint coating system that has an
equivalent expected life. Special care will be needed to prepare the area to be coated to ensure
good adhesion of the coating. An ‘etch’ or similar intercoat primer will generally be needed.

On rare occasions, cracking of the parent steel can occur when fabricated items are galvanized.
Whilst this effect can generally be detected by inspection after galvanizing, it can be disruptive to
discover it so far through the process. Guidance on steps to take to avoid such situations is given
in Ref. 6, and Ref. 7 gives general guidance on the technical considerations concerning batch
galvanizing of structural steel.

10.5 — PAINT TREATMENTS

The selection of a particular paint system is developed in three stages:

Deciding the performance requirements in terms of the environment and the planned
maintenance regime.
Selecting a generic paint system to meet the performance requirements.
Choosing particular paint products from a particular manufacturer.
Ensuring that the applicator has suitable facilities for applying the selected products.

Advice is available from Paint Manufacturers and other specialists in the field to assist the
specifier at all these three stages with a view to deciding on the actual products to use. In the end,
the application of the paint must be in accordance with the recommendations given in the
manufacturer’s data sheets for the chosen products (see 10.5.1 and 10.5.2).
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Guides are available recommending suitable paint treatments for steelwork used in a variety of
situations (see Annex B to this Commentary). Corus also provides a series of such guides dealing
with steelwork in interior and exterior environments and in cavity walls and the background to
corrosion protection (see Ref. 18).

The nature of the surface to which coatings are applied will always influence their performance.
Generally, paints require clean dry surfaces, free from loose mill scale. The probability of failure
increases with the amount of mill scale adhering to the surfaces, so blast cleaning must always be
the preferred surface treatment.

The 'pot life' of a paint is the period after mixing the components of two-pack paints during which
time the paint remains usable. This usable period will be stated on the manufacturer's technical
data sheet for the product. Pot life is not a term that is generally applicable to other paints and it
must be carefully distinguished from shelf life for the unmixed product.

To ensure that all surfaces at critical positions have adequate covering, some product data sheets
require an additional stripe coat of primer or undercoat. This can be an expensive procedure, and
hence its use should be restricted to a minimum.

Some specialist products, such as glass flake paint systems (often specified for bridges and other
externally exposed steelwork), require applicators with particular facilities for preparing and
treating large pieces with such a system. Some other specialist products, for example
architectural finishes, may require a drying oven, and there will be a size limit on components
that can pass through the oven. Hence, it is important to ensure that the Steelwork Contractor has
suitable facilities for applying the selected products, or that the services of a suitable subcontract
specialist are available.

10.5.3 is provided to take account of the factors which concern specifiers of painting on site. As
with the application of stripe coats, the aim of these two clauses is to ensure that full protection is
given after site welding. After cleaning, all parts of assemblies must have a compatible touch-in
treatment equal in performance to the surrounding surface. As with planned maintenance, it is
important to consider what site painting may be needed when selecting a paint system initially.
Many manufacturers’ paint systems have directly equivalent products for spray application in the
shop and brush application on site.

Many fastener assemblies are manufactured with a protective coating system such as bright zinc
plating, spun galvanizing, sheradizing and metallic coatings. Sometimes they are supplied with
proprietary coatings. With care in selection, it is generally possible to select fasteners that are
pre-treated to a suitable performance standard without any need for further site painting (see
10.5.3).

10.6 — COATING OF SURFACES TO BE ENCASED IN CONCRETE

10.6 does not call for treatment to surfaces encased in concrete, since concrete inhibits
corrosion if the provisions of BS 8110 are followed. Generally, the minimum depth of cover
required to ensure this may vary from 20mm for internal use to over 60mm for the most severe
conditions.

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 C ommentary on Section 11
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The steel construction industry deals with a product that must be tailored to suit each project.
With significant differences in size, quantity and complexity, the nature of the work is such that
repetition of large numbers of identical components is a rarity. Hence, full commitment has to be
given to Quality Assurance [QA] as a means to satisfy the requirements of a contract, by
completing the project to an acceptable, consistent standard of workmanship, safely, on time, and
at an agreed price.

Section 11 has been included in the NSSS to ensure that the Steelwork Contractor has good
management procedures, applied company-wide, whether or not the company is accredited under
a formal scheme. In fact, the whole of the NSSS is a response to the need to demonstrate
compliance with the contract specification.

The benefits of having a formalised management system, as required by 11.1, have become
increasingly recognised since the introduction of QA precepts in the early 1980s. The benefit to
the Employer is that the Works are supported by accurate records, the need for external
inspection and verification is reduced, and the Employer's costs in supervising the steelwork
contract can be reduced. The benefit to the Steelwork Contractor is that areas of potential
misunderstanding and uncertain responsibilities are avoided, with a reduced level of error.

11.1 — QUALITY SYSTEM

When first developed, BS 5750 was written with manufacturing operations in mind. It was split
into three parts that ensured that manufacturers with or without design and with or without after
sales service commitments were covered. As the BS EN ISO 9000 series of Standards has now
developed, they have become progressively more generic. Thus, BS EN 9001: 2000: Quality
management systems. Requirements now covers in generic terms the scope of what was covered
more specifically in the 1994 editions of BS EN ISO 9001, 9002 and 9003.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND SCOPE

In applying the requirements and wealth of guidance included in the BS EN ISO series of
Standards, one of the most important factors is to ensure that the quality management system is
appropriately tailored to the needs of steel construction. As a reference, the following lists
include those procedures that should be covered in a quality system (as a minimum) to meet
11.1.1 and 11.1.3. Many of them are the subject of a section in the NSSS, in which case they are
not discussed again here, but references are included to guide the reader to the appropriate
section.

(i) Project Management and Planning

Project management and planning comprises procedures to ensure the correct interpretation of the
Employer's specified requirements (see Section 1), and to establish and implement contract
control arrangements. It includes:
Delegated functions by subcontractors and others.
A contract management organisation plan which names key personnel, their function in the
contract and lines of communication.

102
 Appropriate planning procedures throughout the contract, and monitoring of performance
and progress.
Review of the Project Specification for requirements that would require additional or
unusual measures beyond those assured by the company’s quality management system.
A quality plan which outlines the system for the contract and the contract programme and
provides the additional controls necessitated by the review of the Project Specification.
Appropriate input to the Health and Safety Plan to comply with the CDM Regulations (see
notes in Section 8).
A method for controlling variations, changes and concessions that take place during the
contract.
Contract management review procedures and method for implementation of remedial
actions.

(ii) Design Control

The various levels of design responsibility within a contract are discussed in detail in Section 1.
The Steelwork Contractor should have established procedures to control and verify the contract
requirements for design. These may include:
A design plan defining the principal design activities in a logical sequence, the type of
design output and target dates to meet the programme requirements and allocation of design
responsibilities.
Design of the structure so it can be safely erected, bearing in mind that the Engineer
preparing the design must take account of safety and stability aspects of the erection
method statement (see 8.1.1).
Design documentation, production and checking procedures (verification).
A check that software used in the design has been validated.
Procedures for the acceptance of general arrangement drawings and connection design
calculations by the Engineer (see Commentary on 3.6).
Handling and transportation requirements for unusually shaped or large components to
ensure stability during movement.
A formal documented review of the design before issue for connection calculations and
associated detail drawings.

(iii) Documentation Control

Procedures should be established to control all contract documentation both to and from the
Steelwork Contractor. The system should ensure that all documents issued are identified with the
current revision status and prevents the use of invalid or obsolete documents in-house or by
subcontractors.

(iv) Material Purchasing

Materials and subcontracted services should be purchased from sources that have the appropriate
capability in terms of facilities, skills, experience and, preferably, product quality and procedures
complying with the requirement of BS EN ISO 9001. It is important that procedures for
verifying all supplies and suppliers are encompassed within the management system – this
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includes fasteners; subcontract fabrication; manufacture and treatment; coating products; and
items delivered direct to site, such as decking and purlins. Purchase orders should clearly
identify:
Technical specification.
Requirement for inspection and tests.
Quantity and delivery.
Protection and packing.
Certification and traceability (see Commentary on 2.4).

(v) Preparation of Detail Drawings and Fabrication Information

The essential references for the fabrication and erection of structural steelwork are the drawings
covered by Section 3 of the NSSS. Drawing office procedures should ensure that the Employer's
and Engineer's requirements are correctly interpreted. The following should be noted:
All hand made drawings should be checked and the software for producing electronic
information should be verified by trial (see Commentary on 3.4).
Fabrication drawings should identify all information necessary for fabrication to proceed
(see Commentary on 3.4).
Drawings are normally expected to refer to the protective coating requirements.
Although not common practice, it is prudent to have a standard note on all drawings stating
that fabrication and erection tolerances are those given in Sections 7 and 9 respectively of
the NSSS.
Acceptance responsibilities for drawings should be fully understood by the Steelwork
Contractor and the Engineer (see Commentary on 3.6).
Controls should be in place to ensure that when changes are made to drawings, the new
drawings are issued and out-of-date prints are retrieved. Software should include
comparable change and version control procedures.

(vi) Fabrication

Workmanship for all aspects of fabrication is dealt with in Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the NSSS.
The Steelwork Contractor should be able to demonstrate documented plans exist in the following
areas:
Maintenance and calibration of all process equipment.
Metrological control of measuring and surveying equipment.
Production planning.
Process and production control.
Provision of appropriate work instructions and associated task-specific training.

(vii) Inspection and Testing

Inspection of fabricated steelwork components is covered by 4.9 in the NSSS whilst NDT and
inspection of welds is the subject of 5.5, with TABLES B, C.1 and C.2 dealing with the scope of

104
inspection, acceptance criteria and corrective action for process control of welding. A quality
plan should define:
Any additional project-specific requirements for inspection or testing, including
supplementary scope of weld testing involving the identification of particular welds for
attention (see Commentary on 5.5).
Non-compliance and concession reporting procedures.
Corrective action repair procedures.
Release /rejection procedures.
Inspection and test certification.

(viii) Surface Preparation and Protective Treatment

Surface preparation and protective treatment is covered by Section 10. Procedures should be
established for all these matters and, in addition, for:
Pre-process inspection of fabricated items.
Curing time between coats and prior to dispatch.
Inspection of components after treatment.
Corrective action and repairs in the workshops and on site.
Identification of painted items.

(ix) Erection

Sections 8 and 9 cover the erection of steelwork. Procedures should be established for all these
matters and, in addition, for:
Pre-erection survey and formal acceptance of foundations.
Phased component delivery.
Safety and environmental controls, including acceptance that the Site is safe to commence
erection in accordance with the checklist in the Safe Site Handover Certificate.
Operative certification and registration of competence.
Provision of an erection method statement coupled with task-specific instruction and
training.
Plant and equipment certification.
Inspection of each phase of construction.

(x) Health and Safety

Legislation appropriate to Health and Safety in the steelwork industry is discussed in the
Introduction to the Commentary. In addition, the need for a Safety Plan under the CDM
Regulations is listed under sub-section (i) above and in Section 8 of the NSSS. Among other
aspects, procedures must include items such as:
Identification and control of substances hazardous to health including safe use and disposal
of each substance.

105
 The use of personal protective equipment and clothing by all employees engaged on the
contract, and by authorised visitors.
Information and training to be given on the correct use of personal protective equipment for
specific processes and operations.

(xi) Records

Records may be expected to include, but not be limited to:

Drawings and design calculations and documentation registers.
Certificates for materials and consumables.
Calibration of equipment.
Weld procedures, concessions etc.
Inspection and test reports.
Delivery schedules.
Surveys and final inspection results.
Completion of erection and handover certification.

SYSTEM ACCEPTANCE

The quality system should demonstrate the strength and competence of the Steelwork
Contractor's resources, and should address management and facilities, equipment and skills,
processes and procedures. In accordance with 11.1.2, it needs to be:
Either certified to BS EN ISO 9001 by a third party (an accredited certification body), or,
Open to second party audit and approval (i.e. by the Employer).

If the Steelwork Contractor is in a third party Quality Assurance Certification Scheme, then the
procedures described above will be part of his everyday work, and system acceptance in terms of
11.1.2 should be automatic. However, if the Steelwork Contractor is not in such a scheme, the
Employer may wish to make an audit to satisfy himself that the system of management is of a
comparable standard to that of an accredited company. The records of previous work, sample
documentation and qualifications of the workforce may be examined.

There are long term advantages in all Employers using common basic criteria for pre-
qualification of Steelwork Contractors, and the Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors
[RQSC] provides that framework. It assesses companies in terms of the type of work and size of
contract they are competent to undertake. It also provides reference information on whether the
scope of a company’s certified quality management system matches the type of work that they
are competent to undertake. Certified quality management systems provide assurance that the
company is acting consistently and is exercising quality control measures appropriate to the scope
of work listed in the schedule attached to the certificate.

The Association of Certification Bodies certifies Quality Assurance Certification Schemes in the
United Kingdom. QA Schemes include Lloyds Register and BSI for a range of industries, but
others specialise in a particular industry or product range.

The Steel Construction Certification Scheme [SCCS] is an accredited certification body with
lengthy specific experience of assessing the suitability of quality management systems for steel
106
construction and manufacture of associated products. The Scheme has a requirement for internal
quality audits to be carried out at regular intervals.

11.2 — ADDITIONAL INSPECTION AND TESTS

In addition to the mandatory tests and inspections required by the NSSS and those provided in the
quality system, the Employer can write into the Project Specification a requirement for a
particular test or inspection he wishes to witness, or points where he wishes a nominated third
party to carry out an inspection (see Commentary on TABLE 1.3(vi) and on TABLE 1.6).

If a test or inspection is to be witnessed and the period of advance notice has been stated, the
Steelwork Contractor is obliged to provide the necessary facilities for the Employer's inspector.

11.3 — RECORDS

The NSSS envisages that during the period of the contract, the Employer may wish to see
records, which have to be made available.

All inspection and test records should be retained for a minimum period of five years, or longer if
required by the contract.

107
 REFERENCES
(1) National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building Construction
4th Edition - Publication 203/02
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd
The Steel Construction Institute.

(2) Joints in Steel Construction: Simple Connections

Publication P212/02
This supersedes two volumes, Publication P205/93 and Publication P206/92
The Steel Construction Institute
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.

(3) Guidance Notes: Safer Erection of Steel-Framed Buildings

R J Pope and P J Williams
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd 1999.

(4) Design Guide for Wind Loads on Unclad Framed Building Structures
M R Willford and A C Allsop
Building Structures During Construction, (Report BR173)
Building Research Establishment 1990.

(5) Safe Site Handover Certificate

British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.

(6) Guidance Note: The design, specification and fabrication of structural steelwork that is to
be galvanized
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd and the Galvanizers Association 2003.

(7) Technical Considerations in Batch Galvanizing of Structural Steel

New Steel Construction AD 260
The Steel Construction Institute.

(8) Steel Detailer’s Manual

A Haywood and F Wear
Publication EP15
Blackwell Science Ltd.

(9) Introduction to Welding of Structural Steelwork

J L Pratt
Publication P014/89
The Steel Construction Institute.

(10) Weld Quality Levels

M H Ogle
National Steelwork Conference 1986
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.

108
(11) Joints in Steel Construction: Moment Connections
Publication P207/95
The Steel Construction Institute
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.

(12) Use of fully threaded bolts for connections in structural steelwork for buildings
G W Owens
Journal of the Institution of Structural Engineers
1st September 1992 pp 297-300.

(13) Lack of fit in steel structures

A P Mann and L J Morris
Construction Industries Research and Information Association
Report 87.

(14) Erector's Manual

E G Lovejoy, H R Stamper and P H Allen
2nd Edition
Publication 16/93
British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.

(15) Interfaces: Electric lift installations in steel framed buildings

R G Ogden
Publication P103
The Steel Construction Institute
National Association of Lift Makers.

(16) Capacity of Columns with Splice Imperfections

A P Popov and R M Stephen
Engineering Journal
American Institute of Steel Construction
1st Quarter 1977 pp 16-23.

(17) New paint systems for the protection of construction steelwork

Publication 174, 1997
Construction Industry Research and Information Association.

(18) Prevention of Corrosion of Structural Steels & Corrosion Protection leaflets

The prevention of corrosion on structural steelwork
Building interiors and perimeter walls
Steelwork exposed to atmospheric conditions
Indoor swimming pool buildings
Corus Construction Centre.

109
(19) Steel Designers' Manual
The Steel Construction Institute/Blackwell Scientific Publications.

(20) Geometrical deviations of steel frames in multi-story buildings - A progress report

Alpsten
Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm Report 1992:9.

(21) The results of a survey on structural out-of-plumbs

Beaulieu and Adams
Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering 1978.

(22) Interfaces: Curtain wall connections to steel frames

Publication 101, and others in the series
The Steel Construction Institute.

(23) The Western Morning News headquarters, Plymouth

Bailey and Wainwright
The Structural Engineer January 1995.

110
111
 ANNEX A — TOLERANCES IN STEEL
CONSTRUCTION
WHAT ARE TOLERANCES?

In common usage the word tolerance is often misunderstood. Usually the difference of
perception reflects which side of the designer/manufacturer divide one is on. To explain, an
understanding of some other terms is needed.

No geometrically sized or positioned components will meet absolutely their specified size or
position. The difference between the actual and nominal dimension is termed a geometric
deviation. The designer, understanding this, sets a maximum for such a deviation. These
permitted deviations are normally what the designer considers as tolerances (see Ref. 19).

The manufacturer (in steel construction, this term embraces steel producer, fabricator and erector)
realises that, for an assembly process, deviations mean that one component will not necessarily fit
up to a mating component, or one component will clash with another (see Ref. 13). He has two
means of dealing with this:
providing adjustment to overcome local lack-of-fit (e.g. shims), or
providing clearance to give two adjacent components separate zones.

Both adjustment and clearance provisions are often referred to as tolerances (even though such
usage is, strictly speaking, wrong).

WHAT TOLERANCES ARE GIVEN IN NATIONAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS?

The tolerances provided in BS 5950-2 are permitted deviations set on behalf of the designer to
ensure consistency with the design assumptions underlying BS 5950-1. They are a set of values
that should ensure the following.
The shape of individual components is sufficiently true to obviate premature buckling or
other failure under load. This includes the cross-sectional shape and straightness of the as-
rolled steel section itself as BS 5950-2 invokes the relevant product Standards for
manufacture of the sections.
The assembled steel frame is sufficiently true to obviate premature collapse due to the
secondary forces that result from frame imperfections, such as connection overload caused
by excessive local eccentricity and P-∆ effects.

The tolerances given in BS 5950-2 are not intended to ensure buildability. The fabrication
tolerances do not ensure that components will fit together on site within the envelope specified
for the erected structure. The erection tolerances do not ensure that the as-built structure will fit
any other building components that have subsequently to be fitted to it.

Lack of understanding of the principle stated in the previous paragraph is the most common cause
of difficulty with steel frames at handover, particularly where the building contains critical
dimensions at interfaces with following trades.

112
Compliance with BS 5950-2 ensures that steel-framed structures are not unsafe despite the
inevitable variability in the dimensions of fabricated components and erected structures. The
NSSS sought to go further by specifying a wider range of conditions. The aim was to assist
buildability in two ways:
Fabricated components would be much more likely to ‘automatically’ fit together within
the envelope permitted for the whole erected structure, and
The foundations would be more likely to accept the steel frame, and the as-erected structure
would be more likely to meet the positional requirements of following trades (e.g. for
overhead travelling cranes, but not for potentially tightly fitting components such as
structural glazing).

The fact that the NSSS initiative took place in parallel with the adoption by the industry of the
principles of quality assurance was not coincidental. The discussions during the establishment of
what is now the Steel Construction Certification Scheme [SCCS] identified that a wider series of
benchmarks for acceptability of manufactured components was needed to add strength to the BS
5950-2 requirements. Only with the wider range could consistency of output be checked and
controlled.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS CAPABILITY OF THE INDUSTRY?

The term process capability is a fundamental concept in the establishment and use of quality
systems (see BS 4778: Part 2 Quality vocabulary: Quality concepts and related definitions). It
captures the idea that consistent quality demands consistent control, and consistent control
demands a clear understanding of what can be produced within the process.

For example, a cold saw set to cut a right angle will not necessarily do so. Over many occasions
it may be proved to always cut within a range of ± 1 part in 500 either side of a true right angle.
That is one measure of the capability of the sawing process. Once understood, it immediately
alerts the fabricator that special measures would be needed to meet the NSSS requirement for
squareness of ends prepared for bearing which is an angular permitted deviation of 1/1000 (see
7.2.2). Without additional measures, however, the saw has the process capability to meet the
NSSS requirement for squareness of ends not prepared for bearing (see 7.2.3).

The portfolio of additional requirements tabulated in the NSSS was intended to reflect the process
capability of good commercial practice within the industry. However, the emphasis of quality
systems developed in the industry has been on fabrication rather than erection. Good fabrication
works should be able to demonstrate consistent achievement of the NSSS requirements, or even
better them with modern CNC equipment. There is reason to doubt, however, that the steel
construction industry worldwide can demonstrate that it consistently meets the as-built
requirements for erected frames if these are seen as strict go/no-go acceptance limits.

HOW ACCURATE IS ERECTION?

During the development of DD ENV 1090-1, a working party on tolerances was convened jointly
with the ‘designers’ working on Eurocode 3. Evidence presented to that group, from multi-storey
buildings in Sweden and Canada (see Refs. 20 and 21), indicated that between one third and one
half of all steel columns failed to meet the requirements for column plumb then being
incorporated in the draft ENV 1090-1; and those requirements were substantially based on the
NSSS.

113
Closer investigation revealed that there was ‘not a problem’, provided that groups of columns
could be considered as tied together for stability requirements. Individual columns were snaking
upwards, but the whole building was not developing a pronounced or significant lean. The group
decided to reframe the requirement in the ENV to allow relaxation of the requirement on an
individual column, provided that it was part of a tied group of six columns that complied overall.

A steel framed structure is a very large assembly of a large number of relatively slender and
flexible components. Overall accuracies of approximately 1 part in 1000 are sought for plumb
and line of the completed structure, using components that may individually be manufactured
with greater variability than 1 part in 1000. In addition, deformations such as the flexure of the
structure under self-weight of steel affect its actual position. A clear understanding is needed of
both the concepts involved and the methods used for control of the erected position of a steel
frame.

The concepts are set out clearly in BS 6954 (three Parts) Tolerances for building, which was
pioneered by the Building Research Establishment following the investigative work that led to
the publication of what has now become BS 5606: Guide to accuracy in building. Those readers
who regularly deal with ensuring that building components fit are recommended to refer directly
to those British Standards.

HOW IS THE ERECTED POSITION OF A STEEL FRAME CONTROLLED?

Procedures developed in a quality system for ensuring compliance with a specification should
normally be set out in an inspection and test plan. Within such a plan, tests undertaken at
handover of an erected steel structure could be considered to be final acceptance tests.

To be meaningful, all tests require the following to be specified: a method of test, the location
and frequency of testing, the acceptance criteria and action to be taken if nonconformities are
discovered. ENV 1090-1 attempts to fall in line with quality system requirements and to be
precise about such points, but it is a difficult area in several ways.

First, the method of test is dimensional survey as described in BS 7307 (two Parts) Building
tolerances. The accuracy achievable by the survey equipment regularly used on building sites is,
at best, 2mm and often no better than 5mm (see BS 7334 (eight Parts) Measuring instruments for
building construction). Even at best, this means that 5% of the as-measured values could be more
than ±4mm away from the actual position. Hence, the method of measurement is potentially
unable to discriminate between a steel frame that complies and one that does not.

Secondly, the location and frequency of checking might well represent less than a quarter of all
main frame connection points. An example would be checking only the perimeter columns in the
cross-shop direction at first floor connection.

Thirdly, the normal procedure for alignment of columns by plumbing-up is not a final acceptance
test as such. It consists of an interaction between the site engineer using the survey instrument
and the erection gang doing the final bolt tightening and shimming. By the progressive use of
wedges, jacks, pull-lifts and proprietary pulling devices such as Tirfors, the gang persuades the
frame to move to a position acceptable to the checking engineer and then bolts it up firmly.
Some lack-of-fit is overcome in this process, and some is created. If the latter is adverse, local
corrections are made. The team rarely return to a frame once that it has been checked, plumbed
and bolted up.

114
The cost, difficulty and duration of undertaking a complete three-dimensional survey as a final
acceptance test (when the whole steel frame is complete) make it rarely practical. It is also
unnecessary if the purpose is to ensure stability of the as-erected structure.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PERMITTED DEVIATIONS?

The development of the regime for accepting an as-erected steel frame has been a joint one,
shared by the frame builders and the specifying designers. The permitted deviations specified
hitherto must be seen in that context. Designers have specified values that are targets rather than
absolute go/no-go acceptance limits. To support that approach, the design itself assumes
significantly greater eccentricities and notional frame imperfections than the deviations
permitted. This allows a contingency that can occasionally be used to allow judicious concession
when the steel frame cannot be persuaded to plumb up sufficiently accurately.

Moving from a handover process that relies in part on mutual understanding between steelworker
and designer to one of absolutes in the hands of strict quality inspectors is difficult. It is made
more difficult if there is little background information on the dimensional accuracy of as-built
frames, and that which does exist shows that the hitherto specified (target) values are close to, if
not beyond the combined process capability of erection combined with site surveying.

The solution is to break the problem down into two parts: how to ensure stability and how to
deliver other dimensional requirements specified for interfaces. For the former, there is no reason
to make any fundamental changes to the progressive method described above. Quality can be
assured by using three straightforward steps:
Competent site engineers who are experienced in steel construction,
Appropriate metrological control of instruments and benchmarks, and
Care in ensuring that the location and frequency of checks concentrates on key points, such
as the ‘stiff box’.

For interface requirements, the key is to understand that an as-erected steel frame cannot deliver
overall positional dimensions specified in absolute terms to accuracies such as ±10mm, without
adjustability local to the point of interface. SCI have developed guidance in this area through a
series of publications dealing with interfaces (see Ref. 22). The skill is in assessing how much
adjustability is needed to cope with cumulative effects, and ensuring that the inspection and test
plan includes appropriate and practical tests of acceptability. These disciplines can deliver
extremely tight tolerances, as demonstrated on the Western Morning News building, which was
commended in the 1993 Structural Steel Design Awards (see Ref. 23).

HOW ARE THESE PRINCIPLES APPLIED IN PRACTICE?

Measures of deviation

Typically, the permitted deviation [∆] for a steelwork nominal dimension D will be of the form
±∆. If ∆ is, say, 5mm, then the range of tolerance allowed would be 10mm, with an expectation
that, if the same measurement were made over many similar components, the average measured
value would tend towards the mid-range value associated with the nominal dimension D.

If a histogram of the measured values were plotted it might look like one of the graphs in Figure
A1. The left-hand diagram illustrates an even distribution where the measured deviation is
equally likely to take any value between –∆ and +∆. The middle diagram shows the familiar
115
‘bell-shaped’ curve of the normal distribution. It is assumed that process control has truncated the
extreme values of the distribution beyond ±∆. In terms of process capability, the general basis is
that the distribution is truncated beyond limits of ±3∆ where ∆ represents the standard deviation
of the normal distribution. Less than 0.3% of the whole distribution would be truncated. BS 5606
suggests that for construction, limits of ±2∆ may be more appropriate, which leaves nearly 5% of
values outside the permitted range. Thus, both range and standard deviation are measures of the
‘dispersion’ of the measured distribution and are indications of process capability.

Figure A1 — Histograms of Measured Deviations

The right-hand diagram shows a situation where the expected value differs from the mid-range
value by a ‘systematic bias’. Generally, systematic bias is not related to process capability as
such; but, if such a situation is observed, it indicates that the process control could be improved to
correct this effect. For instance, a saw might be cutting ‘short’ if insufficient allowance had been
made for the width of cut. Some of the tolerances specified in the NSSS include a deliberate
systematic bias. For example the level of the top of a foundation is set at ∆ = +0mm, –30mm, as
it is more practical to make up the gap below the column base with additional grout than to
scabble the concrete. In this case, the expected value would be –15mm.

SITE SURVEYS FOR STEEL CONSTRUCTION

To explain the practice used to survey steel structures on site, the following paragraphs, based on
adapted extracts from sub-clause 12.7 of DD ENV 1090-1, are included:

Establishment of reference system and survey of supports

Site measurements for the works shall be related to the system established for the setting
out and measurement of the construction works in accordance with BS 5964-1. A
documented survey of a secondary net shall be provided and used as the reference system
for setting out the steelwork. The coordinates of the secondary net given in this survey
shall be accepted as true provided that they comply with the acceptance criteria given in BS
5064-1. The reference temperature for setting out and measuring the steelwork shall be
stated in the Project Specification.

Inspection of erected structure

The condition of the erected structure shall be inspected immediately prior to handover for
any indication that components have been distorted or overstressed, and to ensure that any
temporary attachments have either been removed satisfactorily or are in accordance with
the Project Specification. If corrections are necessary they shall use methods that are in
accordance with this Standard.

116
Survey methods and accuracy

A survey of the position of the completed steel structure shall always be taken. This survey
shall be related to the secondary net. Methods and instruments used shall be selected from
those listed in BS 7307-1 and 2. The selection shall take into account the capability of the
survey process in terms of accuracy relative to the acceptance criteria. If appropriate, the
survey shall be corrected for the effects of temperature, and the accuracy of the
measurements (relative to that in the reference system for the site surveys) shall be
estimated according to the relevant parts of BS 7334.

Note: In most cases where surveys take place in ambient temperatures between
5oC and 15oC no correction is necessary.

System of measurement

The system of permitted deviations is built up from position points at base level, an
envelope for column verticality and a series of intermediate and roof levels referred to as-
built floor levels. Each individual value shall be in accordance with the values derived
from the figures and tables. The sum of the discrete values shall not be greater than the
permitted deviations for the total structure. The system sets out requirements for
connection positions. Between these positions the fabrication tolerances define permitted
deviations. The system does not set out explicit requirements for secondary structural
members such as side posts and purlins. The requirements for these may be inferred from
the fabrication tolerances of the member itself and the fabrication and erection tolerances of
the members to which they are connected.

Reference points and levels

Erection tolerances shall normally be defined relative to the following reference points on
each member:
For members within 10o of the vertical — the actual centre of the member at each end;
For members within 45o of the horizontal (including the tops of lattice trusses) — the actual
centre of the top surface at each end;
For internal members in built-up lattice girders and trusses — the actual centre of the
member at each end;
For other members — the erection drawings shall indicate the reference points which shall
generally be the top or outside surfaces of members mainly subject to bending and centre
lines of members mainly subject to direct compression or tension.

Alternative reference points may be substituted for ease of reference, provided that they
have similar effect to those defined above.

Location, frequency and timing

Measurements will only be taken of the position of components adjacent to site

interconnection nodes as set out below, unless otherwise stated in the Project
Specification. The location and frequency of measurements shall be stated in the
inspection and test plan.

117
 Note: The Project Specification should identify any critical dimensional checks of the as-
built structure necessary in relation to special tolerances and these should be incorporated
into the inspection and test plan.

The positional accuracy of the erected steelwork should be measured under self-weight of
steelwork only unless stated otherwise in the Project Specification, which shall then define
the conditions under which the measurements shall take place.

Note: The Project Specification shall define the deviations and movements due to
imposed loads, other than those due to self-weight of steelwork, where these can
affect dimensional checks.

Acceptance criteria and definition of nonconformities

Assessment of whether a nonconformity exists shall take into account the inevitable
variability in methods of measurement calculated in accordance with the accuracy of the
survey methods being used.

Note: BS 6954-1 to 3 give guidance on tolerances for buildings and the

implications of variabilities (including manufacturing, setting-out and erection
deviations) on the fit between components.

Accuracy of construction shall be interpreted in relation to the expected deflections,

cambers, presets and elastic movements of components.

Note: If significant movement of a structure is anticipated that could affect

dimensional checking (e.g. for tension structures) the Project Specification should
define an envelope of allowable positions.

From the abstracts above, it may be seen that:

The accuracy of site surveys is constrained by the methods employed and the reference
lines and levels provided for the Site by the Employer.
Site surveys of the erected structure will focus on the nodes where connections are made on
site.
Between these nodes, the position of components will be determined by fabrication
tolerances.
Positions will be affected by deformations, such as self-weight deflection, which may be
significant enough to require correction by pre-cambering.

CUMULATIVE TOLERANCES

The straightforward view is that permitted deviations are additive, and in terms of maximum
possible values that view is sound, but with an overall requirement that the sum of the discrete
values shall not be greater than the permitted deviations for the total structure.

Ignoring any inaccuracy arising from measurement error or from errors in locating the nearest
position point on the reference survey for the Site, consider this simple illustration of adding
deviations from five sources:

118
 ±5mm from setting the base level of the bottom of the column shaft (measured above the
baseplate)(see 11.4.1(2) in DD ENV 1090-1 ),
±2mm from a variation in cutting the column length (see 7.2.5 in NSSS),
±2mm from positioning holes in the column (see 7.3.2 in NSSS),
±3mm from positioning of fittings at the end of the beam (see 7.3.1 in NSSS),
±2mm from positioning holes in the end plate on the beam (see 7.3.2 in NSSS).

Straightforward addition would lead to the conclusion that the reference point on the top surface
at the end of the beam could be ±5mm ±2mm ±2mm ±3mm ±2mm = ±14mm out of position.
However, in this case the NSSS sets a limit of ±10mm for the deviation of a floor beam from its
specified level at the supporting column (see 9.6.7). It is worth noting that the NSSS does not set
a value for the base of the column itself (hence the value from DD ENV 1090-1 was cited above)
as the level of the base itself is rarely a concern whereas the floor beam levels are.

Hence, it seems that some additional controls may be needed, but whilst cumulative tolerances
might all be additive, this would not be expected. Statistically the procedure to predict the
expected variation from several independent sources would be to calculate the ‘root-sum-of-
squares’ [RSS]. In this case it would give a value of ±6.8mm, well within the permitted deviation
of ±10mm.

What this means is that, if each of the individual limits were representative of ±2∑ values (as
suggested by BS 5606), then there should be less than a 5% chance that the position of the top of
the beam would be outside of ±6.8mm (with less than 0.3% chance that it would be outside of the
‘permitted’ value of ±10mm or ±3∑, and less than a 1 in 1500 chance that it would be outside of
the ‘additive’ value of ±14mm or ±4∑).

Hence, whilst there is a chance that several individual sources of variation may be additive, the
chance of them all conspiring in one direction makes this an unlikely outcome – unless one of
two other factors is present:
There is a systematic bias in some part of the process.
The sources of variation are not independent.

Either of these effects would lead to a much greater chance of exceeding the overall ±10mm limit
on one side. This may be illustrated by considering the clearance between bolts and drilled holes
as a further source of variation in the above example:
First, the engineered clearance of 2mm on diameter between bolt and hole will give rise to
slip in the downward direction from the self-weight of the beam. A slip of 2mm could arise
from the additive combination of the two differences of radius of 1mm – that between the
hole in the beam end plate and the bolt, and that between the bolt and hole in the column.
In effect the 2mm clearance is a source of systematic bias.
When holes were individually made by hand marking and drilling, the positional variability
of each hole was independent. The ±2mm permitted deviation for the positioning of each
hole would be unlikely to have resulted in the whole group being as far out. The 2mm
clearance was largely determined by the need to be able to enter the bolts though plates and
flanges with series of slightly misaligned holes. Once assembled there was sufficient
‘interference’ for slip not to occur. With CNC machines the positional variability of each
hole arising from drilling in a group is no longer independent. Hence, there is a much
greater likelihood that the slip can occur even in a group of 10 holes, say.
119
Thus the above situation would be likely to give rise to a 2mm slip arising in the connection and
the level of the top of the beam would not be expected to be ±6.8mm but +4.8mm / –8.8mm.
Statistically, the chance of the beam being more than 10mm low would increase such that more
than 1 in 13 beams could be outside the tolerance specified in 9.5.7. The chance of them being
too high would be much reduced, of course.

Just as it is customary to make allowance for packing to prevent a long line of butting members
'growing', it is possible to engineer out known sources of systematic bias as described above. If
bolted connections are expected to slip then the nominal dimension can be adjusted to
compensate, and this is generally done for bolted bracings in particular.

TOLERANCES, DEFLECTIONS AND THERMAL MOVEMENT

The position of the centre of the beam will be determined by the positions of its ends and the
fabrication tolerance of 1 in 1000 out-of-straightness of the beam. For a 12 metre long beam, the
following restrictions on the sources of deviation apply:
±10mm for each end (see 9.5.7),
±5mm in relative level of the ends of the same beam (see 9.6.8),
±12mm from out-of-straightness of the beam (see 7.2.4).

Ignoring out-of-straightness, the out-of-position of the centre of the beam would be determined
by the position of its ends, which are both constrained to be within ±10mm of the specified level.
If one end is ‘up’ the other may well be ‘down’; if one end is at its top limit, the other end is
below the top limit and vice versa for the bottom limit. This means that the expected variation in
the position of the centre of a truly straight beam would only be between ±1.5mm for normal
distributions and ±5.5mm for even distributions of end levels.

Allowing for beam out-of-straightness, the expected variation in the position of the centre of the
beam would be barely more than the ±12mm arising from the beam out-of-straightness alone.
This is because predictions of variability made using the RSS method give little weight to
relatively minor sources of variability.

These conclusions ignore non-independent systematic bias effects such a slip in end connections
described above. They also ignore the effect of self-weight deflection which, as with connection
slip in this case, is always in the downward direction. It is, of course, possible to estimate
deflection analytically and to compensate for this by pre-cambering the beam upwards in
advance. However, from experience it is clear that estimates of deflection are themselves subject
to some uncertainty, and hence the expected deflected position will need to include this
uncertainty as a further source of variability.

In BS 5950-1, the suggested limit for calculated deflections of beams in the serviceability limit
state is span/200. From this it might be that the calculated deflection under self-weight alone of
steel and wet concrete might be span/500, or 24mm camber for a 12 metre beam. From
experience, deflection estimates often differ from actual by up to one third, so the variability from
this source would be, say, ±8mm. In terms of the final position of the centre of the beam, the
expected variation would then be ±12mm ±8mm, or ±14.4mm using the RSS method.

Thermal movement of steel is 6mm per 50m per 10o difference. This can be significant for long
span members, tall and long structures. Generally one would expect expansion joints to be
120
incorporated at around 100m intervals on plan in low-rise structures and perhaps more frequently
on high-rise structures. Nevertheless, the top of an unrestrained perimeter column could easily be
pushed 6mm out of plumb owing to thermal movement. For large span trusses or tall structures
the effect will be more complex as often one side is heated/cooled more than the other thus
causing bending to be induced from the differential linear expansion. As with deflections under
self-weight and other applied loads, a survey of the position of erected components may need
correcting for the effects of thermal expansion/contraction. In extreme cases, surveys will have
to be undertaken at particular times of day when thermal effects are at their minimum – usually
early morning.

CLOSE-FITTING COMPONENTS

There are occasions when it is necessary to engineer the steel frame to provide support for close-
fitting components such as specialist glazing and cladding panel systems. The NSSS tolerances
are determined by what is economic within the process capability of the industry and what is
necessary for reasons of structural stability. To determine what particular adjustments or
clearances might be needed at a support interface between the steel frame and a close-fitting
component, an estimate is needed of the variability of the support position.

A separate estimate will be needed based on the details of the supported component and the
associated dimensional tolerances. BS 6954 gives guidance on how these figures may be
compared and BS 7307 explains how the necessary clearances and adjustments may be estimated.
Ignoring inaccuracies that might arise from site survey measurements, consider the following
simple example:
±14.4mm in terms of the final position of the centre of the beam from the example above,
±5mm in accuracy of a manufactured component to be supported by the beam,
±5mm in terms of the manufacturing accuracy of the supporting cleat assembly at the
interface,
±10mm required as-measured positional accuracy of the as-installed close-fitting
component.

Using the RSS method and with no provision for adjustment, the expected variability in the fitted
position of the component would be just over 16mm. This is more than 6mm beyond the
permitted value and hence the supporting cleat needs to incorporate an adjustability of at least
6mm. Engineering a detail with ±10mm of adjustment for level would seem sufficient to allow
not just for the RSS prediction, but also for a few cases that might lie outside the expected range.

It is prudent to make this a worst-case estimate, and the centre of the beam is likely to be this
case. Support cleats fixed to the face of the column supporting the beam might be expected to
require less adjustability. Similarly, the adjustability required for line could differ from that
required for level. In the Western Morning News building (see Ref. 23), separate estimates of
positional accuracies (and hence adjustability) were needed for all three translational directions
and all three rotational modes.

In some cases there may be architectural or engineering reasons why, say, ±10mm adjustment
might be unacceptable. There might be aesthetic restrictions or, in extreme cases, the additional
eccentricity of loading could be critical. Perhaps the gaskets between components can only
accommodate a limited amount of adjustment.

121
In the example above, it might be that a restriction on the limit of ±5mm of adjustment had been
set. Working the RSS calculation ‘in reverse’ it is possible to see that the restriction could just
about be met if both the ±5mm values were kept within a revised ±3mm limits, but there would
be costs associated with these 40% reductions in tolerance. Alternatively, it is often most
practical to address the source of variability that contributes most to the overall figure. In this
case, it is the out-of-straightness of the beam. The limit of ±5mm of adjustment could be met if
the out-of-straightness of the beam could be reduced by 17% from ±12mm to ±10mm. In the
end, the practicality and economics of this would need to be balanced against the costs of the first
alternative.

As a final note, a danger in this case might have been to plan to meet the restriction using ±12mm
beams but to ignore any uncertainty in the estimate of deflection. Assuming the deflection
calculation to be fully accurate would then lead to the discovery of this contribution to overall
variability only after erection on site, with consequent disruption whilst the solution was sorted
out.

Other difficulties can arise if an interface with a following trade contractor is not assessed against
the mean position with a tolerance, but against the most adverse measured deviation. Consider
the example given above where there would be less than a 5% chance that the position of the
beam would be outside of ±6.8mm; less than 0.3% chance that it would be outside of the
‘permitted’ value of ±10mm or ±3∑; and less than a 1 in 1500 chance that it would be outside of
the ‘additive’ value of ±14mm or ±4∑. The example might be representative of the level of beam
soffits over a wide floor area. Whilst there may only be a 1 in 20 chance that a given beam will
exceed the ±6.8mm value cited above, there is still a 40% chance that at least one of 20 such
beams will exceed the –6.8mm deviation value on the downside. Hence, the tolerance that should
be allowed in design for levelling a ceiling using the worst deviation sampled from 20 such
beams would need to address the scenario of say the ‘additive’ value of –14mm rather than the
‘expected’ value of –6.8mm – then the statistical chance of one beam of the 20 exceeding the
allowance on the downside would drop from 40% to 1 in 150.

122
123
 ANNEX B — RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPLIED COATINGS
Specifications for External Steel
External Exposed Steel Primer (Max VOC 250 g/l) Intermediate (Max VOC 250 g/l) Finish (Max VOC 420 g/l)

Rural Urban/ Coastal Type µ Type µ Type µ

Industrial

ISO12944-2 Environ ment C2 C3/C4 C5

CIRIA Spec E-1

Years to first maintenance 25 15-20 15-20 Zn rich epoxy(2) 75 Epoxy MIO 100-125 Acrylic/Urethane 50(1)

CIRIA Spec E-2

Years to first maintenance 20 15-20 15-20 Epoxy Zn Phosphate(2) 75 Epoxy MIO 100-125 Acrylic/Urethane 50(1)

Specifications for Internal Steel

124
Primer (Max VOC 250 Intermediate (Max Finish
Environment g/l)VOC 250 g/l) VOC 250 g/l)
Years to first (Max VOC 420 g/l)
maintenance
ISO 12944-2 Environment and Description Type µ Type µ Type µ

C1 Internal steel in controlled or air conditioned spaces

CIRIA Spec I-1 Life of Building None None None
C2 Hidden Steelwork. British Steel B3 Specification

CIRIA Spec I-2 Epoxy Zn Acrylic/

C1 Internal controlled environment with decorative requirement 5-10 years 50 None 50
phosphate(2) Urethane

CIRIA Spec I-3 Steel in cavity walls in clear separation outside the vapour
C2 Life of Building Zn-rich epoxy(2) 50 None None
barrier of cladding systems

CIRIA Spec I-4 Exposed steel in semi-controlled environments; plant rooms, Epoxy
C2 15-20 years 125 None None
warehouses, roof voids (where occasional condensation may occur) primer/finish(2)

CIRIA Spec E-2 Exposed steel in uncontrolled environments that are frequently Epoxy Zn Acrylic/
C3 15-20 years 75 Epoxy MIO 125 50(1)
damp or wet; swimming pools, kitchens, laundries etc phosphate(2) Urethane

Notes:
(1) Applied on site
(2) Surface preparation required Blast-clean to Sa2_ of BS 7079, Part A1 except for Spec I-1, which requires no surface preparation.
125
 ANNEX C — TECHNICAL QUERY PROCESS
Technical Query Responsibility Objective Resultant

Critical Dimensions
CONSTRUCTION WIDTH OF STRUCTURE

Required –
● Internal brickwork

dimentions, or,
● Grid lines as shown

Relationship between
portal columns and
brickwork required
Overall dimentional build Architectural To obtain
up of the masonry Input required basic span of
required steel structure

Cladding/brickwork
relationship required
where critical (can
standard Cold Rolled
manufacturers stooling
dimentions be utilised?)

● Enables
Cladding confirmation of
contractor’s input design assumptions
may be necessary ● Releases

where cladding/ draughting of

brickwork primary steels
relationships are ● Enables basic
critical procurement of
hot rolled roof
steel

Bay sizes required -

CONSTRUCTION LENGTH

when not defined.

Relationship between
OF STRUCTURE

gable/internal columns
and brickwork required. Architectural To obtain basic
Input required length and
Cladding/brickwork
setting out of
relationship required at
steel structure
gables, where different
from sides

126
 Technical Query Responsibility Objective Resultant

Foundation levels Engineering

required at all column Input required
locations. To establish
column
Location of all lengths and
Architectural & non-standard
‘CONSTRADO’ type
Engineering base types
bases required when
Input required
applicable.

Confirmation required Engineering To establish

that ALL doorposts fix at Input required responsibility
foundation level, utilising for post-fixing.
Holding Down Bolts (in (Fabricator or
lieu of posts fixing to Main Contractor)
floor slab with parabolts
by others).
GROUND FLOOR LAYOUT

Dimensional position of
all large door openings, ● Enables
along each elevation
confirmation of
required, together with
design assumptions
clear opening widths.
● Allows

Relationship of all large production of

door steels required column layout/
relative to brickwork. HD Bolt details
● Enables order

Dimentional position of Architectural To establish and supply of

all personnel door Input required location and holding down
openings, along each widths of all material
elevation required, openings.
together with clear
opening widths.

Relationship of all
personnel door steels
required relative to
brickwork

May require Fire

Officer input,
subject to escape
routes etc.

127
 Technical Query Responsibility Objective Resultant

Confirmation of critical Architectural

height required - clear Input required
height to underside of
Enables
SECTIONAL LAYOUT

haunch or eaves height ●

To establish confirmation of
Construction type of building design assumptions
Architectural & heights
floors required - Engineering
● Enables

● PC Slabs
including draughting of
Input required, rafter SOP’s
● Beam & block in conjunction Section Thro’
● Allows
● Composite decking with Main
Contractor and procurement of
Floor levels required floor Sub primary Columns
with dimensional build Contractors
up of construction.
Any floor beam depth
restrictions applicable?

Fully dimensioned floor

layouts required
indicating all void
positions such as
stairwells & lift pits
● Enablesdesign of
Construction type of floor steels
internal walls required, ● Enables

together with dimensional To establish draughting of

build up and position. dimensional floor plan
Architectural ● Allows
location of all
FLOOR LAYOUT

Floor beam to brickwork Input required floor beams and procurement of

relationship required associated floor steel
trimmer ● Releases floor
Floor beam to void structure contractor to
relationship required
commence sub
contract works
Any half landing steel
required for stairs? If so,
dimensional positions
and levels required

May require lift or

stair specialist input
due to manufacturer’s
requirements.

128
 Technical Query Responsibility Objective Resultant

Type of ALL large doors

required together with
manufactures details i.e.
●
Architectural &
roller shutter
●
Main Contractor
up & over Input required,
● in conjunction
sliding door with door sub
contractor
Clear opening heights of
ALL large doors required
Clear opening heights of
ALL personnel doors
required

● Enables
confirmation of
To determine design assumptions
Height to top of
& locate all ● Enables
perimeter masonry
ELEVATIONAL

secondary draughting of
required, together with
steel members steel evaluations
enlarged drip detail. Architectural
with necessary
Input required
Dimensional openings details
and positions of all ● Enables

glazed areas required. procurement of

secondary steel
and commencement
of Cod Rolled
order.

Construction details of Architectural &

glazing required Main Contractor
input required ,
in conjunction
with glazing sub
contractor

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 Technical Query Responsibility Objective Resultant

Fiully dimensional gutter Architectural & Architectural & ● Enables

details required - Engineering Engineering confirmation of
Eaves & Valley Input required, Input required, design assumptions
● Traditional in conjunction in conjunction ● Enables

● Syphonic
with main with main fabrication details
contractor and contractor and for roof to be
cladding sub cladding sub undertaken
contractor contractor ● Allows cold

rolled production
details to be
completed

Any perimeter masonry

restraints required - if so,
levels & positions
required.
DETAILS

Engineers
input required
Any internal masonry in conjunction
restraints required - if so, with architect
levels & positions
required.
To ensure the ● Enables
basic steel confirmation of
frame design
provides ● Enables other
Any glazing restraint adequate Sub Contractors’
Engineers
steels required at head or support to requirements are
input required
mid height of curtain alternate incorporated
in conjunction
walling materials
with glazing ● Provides

contractor used in the structural

overall integrity
building
Any ‘slab tie’ holes or construction.
slots required in main Engineers
cloumns. input required

Any ‘firewalls’ required

(slotted rail construction) Engineers
input required

130