What is UKCA Marking?
Dated : 25.10.2023
Ensuring Quality and Compliance: Dio-Met Fabrications Ltd and BS EN 1090 Certification
In the world of construction and manufacturing, adherence to industry standards is paramount. Dio-Met Fabrications Ltd takes great pride in upholding these standards to ensure the safety, integrity and legality of our products.
The Regulatory Landscape: The Construction Products Directive (CPD) of 1989 laid the groundwork for a standardized framework across the European Union, aiming to guarantee the structural soundness of buildings and construction projects.
CE Marking and the Transition to UKCA: As of July 1, 2014, under the CPD, it became legally mandatory for companies involved in the production or supply of fabricated steel products (balconies, staircases, balustrades etc) to meet the requirements of BS EN 1090 and apply the CE mark to their products. This is particularly crucial as fabricated steel products are considered "safety critical." In the wake of Brexit, the UK introduced the UKCA mark in January 2021. Structural metalwork placed on the UK market in Great Britain must now bear the UKCA mark, signifying compliance with manufacturing standards. Worryingly, this is a standard that many suppliers appear blissfully unaware of.
Unpacking BS EN 1090: BS EN 1090 is the European standard designed to enhance the fabrication and assembly of steel and aluminium structures in the UK. It comprises three key components:
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EN 1090-1: This section outlines the requirements for assessing and verifying product or service conformity.
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EN 1090-2: This part details the technical prerequisites for manufacturing and assembling steel structures.
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EN 1090-3: Similarly, this section deals with the technical criteria for manufacturing and assembling aluminium structures.
Understanding Execution Classes: Products typically fall into one of four execution classes:
- Class 1: Encompassing structures with minimal risk to life, such as agricultural buildings.
- Class 2: This is the most common execution class, covering buildings with 2 to 15 floors, including general residential and commercial properties.
- Class 3: Encompassing structures and buildings with over 15 floors, including bridges and crane tracks.
- Class 4: Representing the highest risk category, this class includes structures like sliding roofs at large stadiums, where any failure could result in catastrophic consequences.
The Significance of Compliance: Adhering to the BS EN 1090 standard ensures complete traceability, compliance, and verification throughout the manufacturing process. This encompasses various aspects, including material certification, staff training, equipment calibration, quality control, and auditing, among other- essentially safeguarding against fake or inferior products and potentially dangerous systems.
The Path to Compliance: Achieving BS EN 1090 compliance necessitates having a Factory Production Control (FPC) system in place. This system outlines how the company manages every aspect, from initial customer contact to the final quality inspection before shipment. It includes the appointment of a responsible welding coordinator (RWC) and the implementation of a welding quality management system (WQMS). Samples are tested according to the prescribed plan, and the company, along with its FPC, undergoes inspection by a Notified Body (NB) accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Welding Competence: Welder competence is a critical aspect of BS EN 1090. All welders must be fully qualified, having passed their welder approval test certificates for the specific type of welding as per BS EN 9606-1. These qualifications are issued by an external test body, valid for up to three years, and are subject to six-monthly checks to ensure continued compliance.
Dio-Met Fabrications Ltd and BS EN 1090 Certification: Right from it’s inception in 2014 Dio-Met Fabrications Ltd proudly achieved BS EN 1090 certification at Execution Class 2. Our certification was granted by Alcumus ISOQAR, a UKAS-accredited certification body. This certification empowers us to fabricate a wide range of projects, from residential and commercial buildings to agricultural properties, all within the UK market.
Our Commitment to Quality: Working in alignment with the BS EN 1090 standard, Dio-Met Fabrications Ltd exercises meticulous control over our internal processes. This dedication ensures that we consistently deliver high-quality products to our valued customers.
To recap, UKCA certification is a rigorous and crucial procedure for valid reasons. Ensuring your steel staircase, balcony, floor system, or balustrade is certified is of utmost importance. Neglecting this step might result in your construction being non-compliant and subject to potential rejection by building control authorities. Moreover, in case of an accident, you could be held legally responsible.
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