Calls for standards on construction materials

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The implementation of a recognised standard across the industry means that site delays, multiple approvals and increased costs can be avoided.

The lack of an ‘official standard' in the construction sector is leading to problems such as traceability, escalating testing costs and late approvals of materials, which are causing delays in the completion of projects, according to industry specialists.

Speaking to Construction Week, Reinhard Steinle, general manager of Dubai-based Zublin Ground and Civil Engineering, said: "In Germany we have the European standards, but consultants here may have different specifications - British, American and European - depending on the project.

"In Germany you can rely on subcontractors and suppliers to provide a certain standard of material, but here you have to get approval by the engineer for every piece of steel that comes on site. We are wasting time and playing around - sometimes we can wait for five or 10 days just to get approval for a piece of steel."

Steinle added that one standard should be applied across the whole of the UAE, be it the American, British or European version.

Advanced construction markets like the US, Europe and the UK have all been through a similar process where certification and standardisation have been implemented to avoid dubious materials and delays in construction procedures.

"As a result of such experiences, the UK now has a National Structural Concrete Specification (NSCS), which includes requirements for the use of product standards and certifications," said Ben Bowsher, executive director, UK Certification Authority for Reinforcing Steels (Cares).

"A lack of a standard results in escalated costs and that is why bodies like us were formed in the first place. It reduces multiple testing and all that it brings including additional testing costs, site delays, confrontations and claims due to disputes over test results, along with a long list of other set backs."

"I am sure that, with all of the steel being used in the Gulf at the moment coming from all corners of the globe and passing through firms, which might not employ effective controls on traceability, there will be such a problem there at some time in the future. It's important to always know exactly what you are buying and from whom. Why take the risk?"

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READERS' COMMENTS

Standards will it be used???
Posted by Mike, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 15 April 2007 at 06:52 UAE time


Standards or no standards will it be used? let us take the example of the official standards for PPE to be provided to the construction worker, as per Municipal regulations in Dubai and Abudhabi there are standards that need to be followed for PPE that is provided to the Construction Workers but all this costs money so will they follow standards when looking at construction material - IT COSTS MONEY.......

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