The British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) has published Commentary for the National Structural Steelwork Specification for Building Construction (NSSS) 7th edition.
The Commentary is the third edition and provides background and thinking behind the recommendations made in the NSSS.
BCSA director of engineering Dr Ana Girao Coelho said: “The Commentary was first drafted by Richard Stainsby and Roger Pope, and has now been updated by Dr David Moore and myself and reviewed by the NSSS Steering Committee.”
The following areas are covered in the document:
- References to British Standards (issued with BS, BS EN, BS EN ISO or BS ISO references) have been updated.
- Section 5 – Workmanship. The Steelwork contractor’s welding quality management system shall be certified to the standard quality requirements described in BS EN ISO 3834-3 for Execution Class 2.
- Section 10 – Protective treatment (corrosion and fire). This section has been extensively modified and includes updated requirements for corrosive protection systems and new clauses on the specification, application and testing of intumescent coatings.
- Section 11 – Quality management. This section requires steelwork contractors to have all the necessary facilities, skills and effective quality management to ensure their services and products conform to the NSSS. It stipulates the quality management system shall be open to assessment by the Employer or be certified by an approved certification body for compliance with BS EN ISO 9001. It stipulates the manufacturer’s factory production control system shall be certified by an Approved Body for compliance with BS EN 1090-1.
Hard copies of the 3rd edition of the Commentary, priced at £48 for BCSA members and £60 for non-members, can be obtained here.