BCSA News and Insights
News
Does Your Steelwork Contractor Stack Up?
07 Sep 2018
While BCSA steelwork contractors are required to have a fabrication facility in the UK or Ireland that meets stringent quality standards and undergo a competence assessment relating to the company's work facilities, track record and technical and management experience, there are still some companies out there without the skills, experience and financial standing to be taking on structural steelwork projects. Who are these companies?
President's Column July/August 2018
19 Jul 2018
BCSA members came together in June for the Association's Annual General Meeting, National Meeting, and its National Dinner. My President's address at the dinner focused on commercial and contractual matters, just as readers of this column might expect.But as well as the opportunity to hear about the work of our Association, discuss current issues, and get together to celebrate our industry, these events gave me the opportunity to reflect on the advantages of being a BCSA member and the myriad...
President's Column June 2018
21 Jun 2018
I was interested to read a recent opinion piece in the construction press that painted the construction sector as an industry divided on the issue of retentions. A good read, but it completely missed the big picture which is that the construction sector is unanimous that retentions should be abolished. As usual, it's in the fine print of implementation where there is some disagreement.The danger with our lack of agreement on implementation is that it will allow the government to sit on its...
President's Column May 2018
11 May 2018
I've learnt over the year that my view of the world isn't shared by everyone else. And when we think about design, that is certainly the case.From an architect's perspective, design can be seen as a bridge - one between a client's vision and the actual form of the structure. When I have met with architects or heard them speak, they have often referred to design as both an art and a science. Then when the design is passed onto the engineer, mathematics, science and modelling dominate, and...
Elland Steel is first SCCS client to achieve certification
02 May 2018
Yorkshire-based steelwork contractor Elland Steel Structures is the first Steel Construction Certification Scheme (SCCS) client to achieve certification to BS EN ISO 3834:2005 - Quality management in the field of welding. "Welding is recognised as a special process by a number of harmonised standards, due to the difficulties in testing welds after production. Therefore, a sound welding management system in accordance with BS EN 3834 is essential if the quality of the product is to be built into the weld before, during and after welding,"
President's Column April 2018
16 Apr 2018
The UK economy is bumping along, we have read about construction material costs rising across the board, tightening labour availability, and the latest Construction PMI shows subdued growth conditions.So, what does 2018 and beyond hold for the structural steelwork sector?Given these general conditions, the outlook is solid - as is the sector itself. In 2017 structural steelwork consumption in the sector was 894,000 tonnes. We did see an easing in consumption last year, but 2018, 2019 and...
President's Column March 2018
27 Mar 2018
I'm hearing a lot in the press about new methods of construction, with terms like 'offsite construction' and 'design for manufacture' coming up more and more. However, many people forget that steel framing is the original offsite framing material and is already delivering a huge range of advantages to clients. Fabrication of individual steel pieces takes place offsite under controlled, highly regulated and safe factory conditions, where the use of digital design and leading-edge fabrication...
BCSA welcomes new member Lincoln Electric
01 Mar 2018
BCSA is pleased to welcome Lincoln Electric (UK) Ltd into Industry Membership.
SCCS extends its accreditation scope to BS EN ISO 3834:2005
14 Feb 2018
The Steel Construction Certification Scheme (SCCS) can now offer certification to BS EN ISO 3834:2005 - Quality management in the field of welding. "This is a significant addition to the service that SCCS offers its clients and further develops our strategic objective of offering a one-stop shop for certification." said SCCS Certification Scheme Manager, Stephen Blackman.
SCCS achieves highways accreditation
07 Feb 2018
Following a UKAS assessment, the Steel Construction Certification Scheme (SCCS) has successfully become the first Certification Body to become accredited to audit National Highways Sector Scheme 3B - Stocking and distribution activities for structural steel products. From 15 September 2018, National Highways Sector Scheme 3B will be a mandatory requirement for all companies involved in the stocking and distribution of structural steel products for all Highways England projects, as well as other public bodies adopting the Highways England Series 1800 specification for structural steelwork.