How to specify ACRS steel
It is worthwhile to specify ACRS steel at the outset and planning stages of a project.
This will protect parties all through the project’s execution and lifespan. For more on the importance of steel standards and what can go wrong, see here.
Remember, once steel is on site, it’s usually too late.
We are often asked to verify steel post-manufacture, post-delivery, or even once construction has been completed as part of sign-off requirements. For non-ACRS certified providers, regrettably we cannot help in these instances as other test certificates or random samples are not sufficient to certify the steel. Read more about why
Detailed below are
example ACRS Specifications.
“Steel for the reinforcement of concrete shall comply with AS/NZS 4671 and steel prestressing materials with AS/NZS 4672. Where applicable, steel reinforcing materials shall be cut and bent in accordance with the requirements of the "Material and Structural Requirements for Reinforcing Steel" clauses in AS 3600 or AS 5100.5, or the “Reinforcement” clauses of NZS 3109.
Reinforcing couplers shall comply with RMS specification RMS SF2013/184115 Approval of Mechanical Reinforcing Bar Splices, or NZTA SP/M/022 Bridge Manual (technical approval sections), as specified.
Acceptable manufacturers and processors of prestressing steels and steel reinforcing materials, including both the manufacture and application of reinforcing couplers, shall hold a valid certificate of approval issued by the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd (ACRS), or to such other accredited product certification system as shall be demonstrated by the materials supplier to be directly equivalent in scope and technical rigour to ACRS and approved as such in writing by the specifier.
Evidence of the supplier’s compliance with this clause must be obtained when contract bids are received.”
Should the Contractor wish to use steel reinforcing materials (including couplers), or steel prestressing materials from any manufacturer, or processor which does not hold a valid certificate of approval issued by the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd (ACRS), written approval should be obtained from the principal prior to use of any such materials.
The Contractor must clearly demonstrate how the proposed material meets the minimum requirements specified in AS/NZS 4671 or AS/NZS 4672. Therefore, in seeking such written approval, the Contractor should nominate the members in which each individual batch of steel is to be used and should also state the source of supply, mill of origin and the Standard or specification to which the steel for that member was originally produced.
Certificates of chemical composition and physical properties of all reinforcing steel should be provided from an ILAC accredited laboratory with the appropriate scope of accreditation. All testing should follow AS/NZS 4671, or AS/NZS 4672.2, including frequency of sampling and testing.
Steel not covered by the long-term quality levels of AS/NZS 4671, or AS/NZS 4672 should not be ordered, or installed before written approval for its use has been obtained. Once such approval has been obtained, materials should be cut and bent in accordance with the requirements of the "Material and Structural Requirements for Reinforcing Steel" clauses AS 3600 and AS 5100.5, or the "Reinforcement" Clauses of NZS 3109.
“Structural steels shall comply with AS 1074, AS 1442, AS 1579, AS/NZS 1163, BS EN 10219, AS/NZS 1594, AS/NZS 3678, AS/NZS 3679.1, or AS/NZS 3679.2, as appropriate. Structural bolts shall comply with AS/NZS 1252.
Where applicable, materials shall be fabricated in accordance with the “Fabrication” requirements in Section 14 of AS 4100 or Appendix G of AS 5100.6, or AS/NZS 2327, or NZS 3404, and the requirements of AS/NZS 5131.
Acceptable manufacturers of structural steels and structural bolts, and the fabricators of structural welded sections shall hold a valid certificate of approval issued by the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd (ACRS), or to such other accredited product certification system as shall be demonstrated by the supplier to be directly equivalent in scope and technical rigour to ACRS and approved as such in writing by the specifier.
Evidence of the supplier’s compliance with this clause must be obtained when contract bids are received.”
Should the Contractor wish to use structural steel from any manufacturer, or welded section fabricator which does not hold a valid certificate of approval issued by the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels Ltd (ACRS), written approval should be obtained from the principal prior to such use.
The Contractor must clearly demonstrate how the proposed material meets the minimum requirements of the relevant Standard, or Standards including, where appropriate, the requirements of AS/NZS 5131. In seeking such written approval, the Contractor should nominate the members in which each individual batch of structural steel is to be used, stating the source of supply, the mill and country of origin, and the specification to which the steel for that member was originally produced.
Certificates of chemical composition and physical properties of all structural steel should be provided from an ILAC accredited laboratory with the appropriate scope of accreditation. All testing should follow the relevant provisions of the specified Standard of supply, including frequency of sampling and testing.
Steel not covered by the minimum required testing levels specified by the Standard should not be used.