Standards Australia has concluded a work program to develop a new Australian and New Zealand Standard on the post design phase of structural steel projects: AS/NZS 5131:2016, Fabrication and erection of steel structures.

The standard sets out the minimum requirements for the construction and erection of structural steelwork involving:

• Fabrication including bolting and welding
• Preparation of steel surfaces for corrosion protection
• The corrosion protection process, comprising painting and galvanizing
• Site erection and modification of steelwork

AS/NZS 5131 applies to complete structures, individual members and components as well as manufactured components pre-fabricated for inclusion in a steel structure.

Independent Chairperson of technical committee BD-001, Steel Structures, Emeritus Professor Gregory Hancock, explained how the standard will impact the steel industry:

“AS/NZS 5131 is the first time a fully comprehensive fabrication and erection standard for steel structures has been produced in Australia and New Zealand. It will eventually replace Section 14 Fabrication, Section 15 Erection, and Appendix C of AS 4100, Steel Structures, which are fairly rudimentary by modern standards.”

Australian Steel Institute CEO, Tony Dixon, added that “this new standard provides the benchmark for excellence upon which our steel working community can be independently assessed and certified whilst helping to instil a common understanding of what 'good fabrication practice' looks like.

“It is the lynchpin to Australia’s new National Structural Steelwork Compliance Scheme upon which its Code of Practice is based and supported by a National Structural Steelwork Specification that facilitates uniform and consistent reference to the standard.”

Standards Australia continues to support the Australian steel sector with the development of contemporary standards and technical specifications.

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