re:viewBRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

ANNUAL REVIEW – 2013

KEEpINg Up STANdARdS

www.uk-bar.org

FORWARdINg HEALTH ANd SAFETy REINFORCEd SUSTAINABILITy

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BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

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The last few years have been challenging to say to the least. However, there is growing optimism that workloads are beginning to

improve as the UK economy shows the first real signs of recovery. With many companies struggling to keep their heads above water

this news is very welcomed. We all have our fingers crossed that the signs do not prove to be a false dawn.

False dawn or not, the focus on increasing efficiency continues. The resulting increased productivity from such efficiency is one of the

reason for the growing momentum for Building Information Modelling (BIM). The take-up of BIM will only increase through the supply

chain as more and more designers and engineers determine that better and consistent project data storage and exchange is the

way forward.

Other industry issues examined in this review include the bugbear of late payment, the impact of CE marking, forwarding health and

safety and sustainability. These are issues that the industry is addressing. By becoming an associate member of the Mineral Products

Association, BAR is part of a wider construction industry consensus. Whilst, for their part, BAR members are working closely with their

customers to ensure optimum reinforcement solutions that are efficient and cost effective and are delivered safety with assured quality.

Tony Stumpf

Chairman

British Association of Reinforcement

CONTENTS

Light at the end of the tunnel? 2

Momentum for BIM grows 3

Stamping out late payment 3 Keeping up standards 4 CPR and CE marking of reinforcing 4 steel products

Reinforced sustainability 5

Forwarding health and safety 6

Road safety is a joint responsibility 6

Stainless steel rebar solution for A82 bridge 7 Reinforcement options 8BAR members directory 9

ANNUAL REVIEW 2013

ChairmaN’S wElCOmE

Welcome to the 2013 BAR Review. This reviews BAR activities and major issues affecting not just the BAR membership and their customers but the construction industry as a whole.

The British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) is the trade association for UK manufacturers and fabricators of steel

reinforcement products including cut and bent bar and mesh.

BAR aims to add value to the reinforcement industry through market and product development, promotion of good

industry and health and safety practices and forwarding the development of the reinforced concrete industry as a whole.

BAR is a member of CARES and all BAR members are CARES approved firms.

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A raft of industry surveys is full of optimism for future growth.

Indeed some industry commentators are positively ‘gung-ho’

with KPMG UK head of infrastructure, building and

construction, Richard Threlfell, saying: “While there’s been a

lot of scepticism as to how quickly the market would recover,

history suggests that once the mood changes, construction

demand will rocket”. His optimism is echoed by David Noble,

chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and

Supply, saying: “A new dawn is breaking in construction.”

Meanwhile, the Construction News Barometer survey of top

contractors reports that they believe turnover will return to

pre-recession levels by 2015.

So what is the evidence? The latest Markit/Construction PMI

figures show that construction output increased in August

2013 at its fastest pace since September 2007. Particularly

encouraging is that the improvement is not confined to the

residential sector but is also evident in the commercial and

civils sectors. The RICS construction market survey reports

that the level of new projects is beginning to rise in almost

every part of the country. However, the survey found that the

improvement comes against a background of a significant

period of contraction with many companies still struggling to

keep their heads above water. Furthermore, securing finance for

construction projects continues to be a challenge and when that

challenge is overcome planning remains an obstacle to getting

projects underway.

The Construction Products Association is also becoming more

optimistic for the future. Its latest Construction Trade Survey

shows that conditions in Q2 improved across all construction

sectors and throughout the supply chain. Even small and

medium-sized businesses, hardest hit by the downturn,

reported their first rise in activity since 2007. Forecasts from

the Association predict that construction output will rise 2.2%

in 2014 and a further 4.5% in 2015. However, it is not all good

news. 26% of specialist contractors report that tender prices

continue to fall and 31% of companies indicated that margins

have continued to decline.

So whilst there is returning confidence to the construction

industry there are caveats. Any improvement should be set

against the difficult conditions of the last five years. That said,

there seems to be a definite light at the end of the tunnel.

lighT aT ThE ENd Of ThE TuNNEl? Is confidence returning to the construction industry after one of the worse recessions on record? Industry opinion seems to think so.

“While there’s been a lot of scepticism as to how quickly the market would recover, history suggests that once the mood changes, construction demand will rocket”.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

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In simple terms, BIM is a process for managing the information produced during a construction project, in a common format, from the earliest feasibility stage through design, construction, operation and finally demolition. It calls for consistent naming of documents and data, and methodology for storing, accessing and exchanging information.

The use of BIM can increase efficiency and reduce errors. Virtual designs are built in three dimensions before work starts on site. This allows the identification and resolution of any potential spatial problems. With the 2016 deadline approaching fast and the adoption of BIM amongst designers predicted to rise to 91% within the next three years all members of the supply chain need to invest the time and resources to understand and deliver BIM.

A new guide on BIM, ‘BIM for the terrified: A guide for manufacturers’, is available from the Construction Products Association, see: http://www.constructionproducts.org.uk/publications/industry-affairs/display/view/bim-for-the-terrified/

mOmENTum fOr Bim grOwS

The momentum for Building Information Modelling (BIM) continues to grow urged on by a government initiative that from 2016 all central government building procurement contracts should use BIM.

Stamping out late payment

BAR has welcomed moves to end late payment in construction. An all-party committee of MPs is demanding new laws that see the establishment of a construction code of practice which is monitored by an independent adjudicator and retentions cash for all projects being held in trust. Fair payment should also be written into contracts for Government work with tier one suppliers paid within 14 days, tier two contractors within 19 days and tier three contractors paid within 23 days.

MPs have also endorsed a twelve-point charter to end late payment from the pressure group StreetwiseSubbie. In particular, the charter calls for no charge of any kind to be on

a tender list or to be an “approved” subcontractor, no unfair misleading or electronic auction tendering processes, and the adoption of open and honest problem solving rather than blame culture. With regards to payment the charter wants wherever possible the parties to meet to agree the valuations, issuing of pay less notices only in extreme circumstances, payment to be made with 30 days, retention not exceeding 3% and monitoring measures to ensure that payment terms are adopted through the supply chain on all publicly funded projects.

The culture of late payment is endemic in throughout all industries, but the construction industry is one of the worse for delaying the settling of bills. This culture is now being challenged for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2013

6 This activity is aimed at forwarding the interests of the UK reinforcement industry and at keeping members fully informed of

new standard proposals and developments. BAR is currently at the forefront of drafting a new British Standard for couplers and

is ensuring that the UK reinforcement industry is able to influence proposed standards for decoiling and cut and bent. In addition,

BAR is represented on the B/558 Sustainability Committee that is overseeing the development of European construction product

sustainability as part of the drive towards EPDs – Environment Production Declarations.

KEEpiNg up STaNdardS An important part of BAR’s activity is its representation of the UK reinforcement industry at British and European standards.

The CPR lays down harmonised conditions for the marketing

of construction products. As part of the CPR, CE marking

of un-excepted construction products has become

mandatory from 1st July 2013. This will bring the UK (and

a few other member states) into line with the rest of Europe

(i.e. EU/EEA).

CE marking is now the main legal means for placing

individual mandated products on the market in the UK (and

all other member states). According to the CPR the product

areas mandated to have harmonised Standards include (as

under the CPD):

• Precast concrete products

• Cladding

• Cement, building limes and other hydraulic binders

• Reinforcing and prestressing steel (and ancillaries)

• Masonry and related products, masonry mortars

and ancillaries

• Aggregates

• Road construction products

• Products related to concrete mortar and grout

• Screeds

• Fixings

• Structural metallic products and ancillaries

• Structural timber products and ancillaries.

However, it should be noted that a product can only have

CE marking where it is covered by a harmonised European

Standard (hEN -identified by having an annex ZA) or an

European Technical Approval (ETA). If there is no hEN

there can be no CE marking. For instance, CE marking of

reinforcement can only occur once the harmonised standard

for reinforcement, EN 10080 comes into being. Then stock

lengths and coils of reinforcing steel, reinforcing fabric and

lattice girders will need to be CE marked. As there are no

plans for cut and bent reinforcement to become subject to a

hEN, it is not included in the European mandate. EN 10080

is currently in draft format and is not expected to become

live for at least 12 months.

It should be noted that some reinforcement accessories

are subject to CE marking and you are advised to

check accordingly.

CPR and CE Marking of Reinforcing Steel Products

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

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Quite simply, its aims to place the UK concrete industry as the recognised leader in sustainable construction. The latest Concrete Industry Sustainability Performance Report clearly shows the advances made by the industry.

According to the report 92% of concrete production is responsibly sourced to the BRE standard BES 6001 – Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products. This is higher than any other construction material sector. In addition to BES 6001, 85.6% of concrete production sites are covered by UKAS certified Environmental Management Systems. These provide the framework for a comprehensive sustainability strategy.

Other achievements include a significant reduction in CO2 emissions since 1990, this is an equivalent reduction of 47 kg per m3. Given the energy intensive nature of the manufacturing

process, improving energy efficiency is essential. Compared with 2008, the total energy use has fallen by 11%. Furthermore, the concrete industry is a net user of waste, using 63 times more waste than it sends to landfill. In 2011, over 94% of the waste material generated at reinforcement mills and fabricators was re-used as raw material. The Sixth Concrete Industry Sustainability Performance Report is due to be published later this year and is expected to show continued industry improvement.

Sustainable facts for reinforcement are that the steel produced in the UK has a recycled content of 98%. At the end of its life, all reinforcing steel can be recovered and recycled. The energy input per tonne of reinforced steel is significantly less than half of that for structural steel.

rEiNfOrCEd SuSTaiNaBiliTyThe reinforcement sector is proud to be fully signed-up to the pan-industry Construction Industry Sustainable Construction Strategy.This initiative aims to forward the concrete industry as being the construction materials sector best placed to support the government and client aspiration towards achieving sustainable design and construction of the built environment.

Reinforcement has distinct sustainability credentials including:

CO2

The UK reinforcement industry uses the Electric Arc Furnace process which generates up to six times less Co2 than those emanating from the Basic Oxygen Steel making system that used for making structural steel

RecyclingUK produced reinforcement is manufactured from 98% recycled scrap steel. Scrap steel reinforcement from demolished buildings is recycled to manufacture raw steel reinforcement.

Resource conservationThe use of Electric Arc Furnaces allows reinforced steel to be made from 98% scrap metal. This reduces the energy required to produce the steel and also relieves pressure on the Earth’s natural ore resources.

For details of the 5th Concrete Industry Sustainability Performance Report see: http://www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk/pdf/MB_Fifth_Concrete_Industry_Sustainability_Performance_Report_Final.pdf

ANNUAL REVIEW 2013

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BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

To this end the BAR Health and Safety Committee is focused on developing and delivering a number of health and safety initiatives.

To forward best practice for delivery of reinforcement, BAR

is developing guidance on the pre-slinging of loads with the

Federation of Piling Specialists and is to examine with the UK

Contractors Group the need for a common policy amongst

contractors on reinforcement delivery using single trip bags.

Recognising that good health and safety practice should be

part of ongoing training, BAR is to take the lead and work

with The Welding Institute (TWI) to produce a competence

specification to BS 17660 Appendix 6 and Appendix 10 and

certification that can be accredited by TWI. The Association

is also to examine the potential of having an industry training

NVQ for bar bending.

fOrwardiNg hEalTh aNd SafETy

The adoption and implementation of a pro-active health and safety business culture is paramount.

Road safety is a joint responsibility

A ‘safer lorry charge’ has been proposed by Boris Johnson,

the Mayor of London, and Stephen Hammond, the Road

Safety Minister. Under the initiative, fines of £200 will be

levied on lorry drivers whose vehicles are not fitted with

basic safety equipment under measures designed to cut

the number of cyclist deaths. Initially, the charge will be

imposed on tipper trucks, cement mixers and refuse lorries

without side guards to prevent cyclists from being crushed

under the rear wheels. The measures could be extended to

include additional front- and side-view mirrors and electronic

sensors. The charge will initially be applied to London with a

view to extending to other cities.

The initiative complements the Mineral Products

Association’s (MPA) Vulnerable Road User Safety Policy

which forms part of its Cycle Safe campaign aimed to

prevent collisions between cyclists and lorries. The MPA

policy has three key elements:

• All industry drivers must receive vulnerable road user

training. The industry training body has developed a

specific course which has been CPC approved by JAUPT

and is now available. It provides 7 hours CPC.

• New industry LGVs must be fitted with additional safety

equipment including blind spot elimination devices and

mirrors, side under-run guards, audible left turn warnings

for cyclists and pedestrians, and rear warning signs.

• Existing industry LGVs must be fitted with similar

equipment levels within an extended 5 year period with

operators encouraged to consider accelerating this

timing.

BAR fully supports this campaign as recognition that there

is a joint responsibility for road safety. Government must

ensure that roads and junctions are designed for safety and

are properly maintained. LGV operators and drivers must

take action to minimise the risk of collisions. Cyclists and

other vulnerable road users must behave responsibly.

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ANNUAL REVIEW 2013

Bar mEmBEr CaSE STudy: STaiNlESS STEEl rEBar SOluTiON fOr a82 BridgE

In order to create a durable and economic bridge over the full design life period, and in line with the recommendations of both the Highways Agency Interim Advice Note IAN 124/11 and Transport Scotland, TS Interim Amendment No.39, it was decided by the consultant engineers that stainless steel rebar should be used in the areas which are at greater risk from chloride induced reinforcement corrosion due to the application of de-icing salts during the winter months. This included the bridge deck, abutments, wing walls and bearing plinths.

The original specification called for 1.4301 (304) stainless steel rebar, but after several weeks of discussions and correspondence with Outokumpu, steel designation 1.4362 (2304) was accepted as an alternative.

The BS 6744 duplex steels 1.4162 (LDX2101) and 1.4362 (2304) are now widely used both in the UK and worldwide and are replacing the more traditional 1.4301 (304) and 1.4436 (316) steel designations, due to their competitive and cost stable price and their high resistance to chloride induced corrosion in concrete. Tests show that both steels have a CCTL over 4% per mass of cement at room temperature, which is over ten times the figure usually associated with carbon steel rebar and beyond the levels normally expected at typical rebar depths of cover, concrete quality, and for a 120 year design life, even in the most severe of chloride environments.

An order for 67 tonnes of cut and bent to shape, 1.4362 stainless steel rebar, in diameters 10, 16 and 25mm was placed with Outokumpu in November 2012. In order to avoid contamination with carbon steel, all of the stainless steel rebar was fully cut and bent to shape on machinery designed and used solely for

stainless steel rebar, as recommended by guides and advice notes published by The Concrete Society, fib and various other bodies.

The first stainless steel rebar deliveries to the construction site took place during December 2012, with subsequent deliveries taking place in January and February 2013. In total, over 7000 individual pieces of stainless steel rebar were supplied.

Stainless steel rebar is being increasingly used in high chloride environments to produce durable concrete structures with medium to long design lives. In fact, cost studies in Concrete Society and fib technical reports show that in high chloride environments and over the full design life period, it is cheaper to use stainless steel rebar than conventional carbon steel, because of the costs of remedial work and concrete repair due to the effects of corroding carbon steel rebar within the design life.

Outokumpu are the only manufacturer to provide critical chloride threshold level data on their stainless steel rebar and the level of technical assistance often required by consultant engineers. The new Allt Chonoglais Bridge joins a growing number of road bridges and coastal structures both in the UK and worldwide to use Outokumpu’s stainless steel rebar.

Project Details:Client: Transport ScotlandConsultant Engineers: Scotland TranservContractor: Morrison Construction LtdRebar supplier: Outokumpu

Having been identified as being under strength to carry future traffic loads, the A82 Allt Chonoglias Bridge, the old bridge crossing the River Kinglasss, just south of bridge of Orchy, Scotland, has been replaced with a new £1.8m reinforced concrete bridge that incorporates both carbon steel and stainless steel rebar.

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rEiNfOrCEmENT OpTiONS

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF REINFORCEMENT

Bar members provide a wide range of reinforcement options and solutions, these include:

• Cut and bend reinforcement

• Mesh

• Helical

• Carpet reinforcement

• Ground beams

• Prefabricated pile cages

• Pile caps

• Prefabricated columns

• Diaphragm walls

• Gabions

• Specialised structures

To get the optimum reinforcement solution is it advised to involve the fabricator sooner, at the front-end of a project, rather than later.

That way he can provide valuable input based on experience and expertise. The result is often solutions that are innovative, cost-

effective and programme saving.

To discuss your project requirements contact a BAR member, contacts details opposite.

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ANNUAL REVIEW 2013

BAR MEMBERS

BAR members are focused on delivering innovative and cost effective solutions that fully support the demands of quality, customer

service, health and safety and sustainability. All BAR members are CARES approved.

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ArcelorMittal Kent Wire LimitedChatham Dock Chatham Kent ME4 4SWTel: 01634 830964Email: sales@arcelormittalkentwire.co.ukWeb: www.arcelormittalkentwire.co.uk

BRC LtdCorporation Road Newport South Wales NP19 4RDTel: 01633 280816Email: enquiries@brc.ltd.ukWeb: www.brc-reinforcement.co.uk

Cannon Steels Ltd7 Walcot Road Brimsdwn Enfield Middlesex EN3 7NFTel: 0208 805 6987Email: enquiries@cannonsteelsltd.co.ukWeb: www.cannonsteelsltd.co.uk

Celsa Steel (UK) LtdBuilding 58 East Moors Road Cardiff CF24 5NNTel: 029 2035 1800Email: general@celsauk.comWeb: www.celsauk.com

Collins Reinforcements LtdUnit 5 Dobson Park Ind. Est Dobson Park Way Ince Wigan WN2 2DYTel: 01942 322210Email: Collins@rebar.uk.comWeb: www.rebar.uk.com

Express Reinforcements LtdEaglebush Works Miland Road Neath West Glamorgan SA11 1NJTel: 01639 645555Email: commercial@expressreinforcements.co.ukWeb: www.expressreinforcements.co.uk

HY-TEN Ltd12 The Green Richmond Surrey TW9 1PXTel: 020 8940 7578Email: admin@hy-ten.co.ukWeb: www.hy-ten.co.uk

L M Products LtdUnit 10 Union Road Oldbury West Midlands B69 3EXTel: 0121 552 8622Email: sales@lmproducts.co.ukWeb: www.lmproducts.co.uk

Lemon Groundwork Supplies LtdRussell Gardens Wickford Essex S11 8BHTel: 01268 571571Email: sales@lemon-gs.co.ukWeb: www.lemon-gs.co.uk

Outokumpu Stainless LimitedP.O. Box 161Europa LinkSheffieldS9 1TZUnited KingdomTel: 0114 2616144Email: sales.rebar@outokumpu.comWeb: www.outokumpu.com

ROM UK LtdEastern Ave Trent Valley Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 6RNTel: 0870 011 2883Email: sales@rom.co.ukWeb: www.rom.co.uk

RSJ Steels LtdLincoln Industrial Park Sadler Road Lincoln LN6 3RSTel: 01522 500400Email: sales@rsj-steels.co.ukWeb: www.rsj-steels.co.uk

British Association of Reinforcementwww.uk-bar.org