We’re up to speed on the new CE mark fabricated steelwork regulations – are you?

From 1^st July 2014 the regulations surrounding fabricated structural steelwork are changing. It is to become mandatory for all steel fabrications delivered to site to carry the CE mark. 

CE marking demonstrates compliance with the appropriate manufacturing standard for a product. The symbol has been widely used for several years in relation to toys and electrical goods, but this change is new to the construction industry. CE marking provides proof that the product meets working and safety requirements and is essentially ‘fit for purpose’.

The technical part

Under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) new legal obligations have been placed on manufacturers, distributors and importers of construction products used within the EU to CE mark their products where they are covered by either a harmonised standard or European Technical Assessment (ETA). This applies to constituent products (such as steel beams and bolts) and to fabricated elements (such as gantry and walkways) made from CE marked products.

The CPR required CE marking of all construction products from 1^st July 2013 and the ruling for fabricated structural steelwork comes into effect this July.

Choosing the right Steelwork Contractor

To ensure you comply with these new regulations you should only employ contractors who carry the necessary CE mark execution class relevant to the specific project.

In order to be able to CE mark their fabricated structural steelwork contractors must undertake:

• Initial type testing of the product

• Factory Production Control (FPC) which will include implementation of FPC procedures, appointment of a responsible welding coordinator and implementation of a welding quality management system.

• Further testing of samples taken at the factory in accordance with the prescribed test plan.

• Initial inspection of the manufacturing plant

• Initial Inspection of the Factory Production Control (FPC)

• Continuous surveillance, assessment and approval of the FPC which includes an annual audit to the declared execution class. 

• Factory Production Control (FPC) Certificate (issued by a notified body)

• Welding Certificate (issued by a notified body)

• Declaration of Performance (DoP) (Issued by the Steelwork Contractor)

Fabricated Steelwork Contractors must also be assessed by a notified body which will carry out:

Successful structural steelwork fabrication contractors will receive an FPC certificate and a welding certificate, which identifies the execution class that the contractor has achieved. 

An Execution Class of EXC2 will be the appropriate requirement for the majority of buildings constructed in the UK. 

Does your Structural Steelwork Contractor hold the necessary certifications? 

To check, simply ask to see the following documents which they must be able to provide from the 1^st July 2014: 

If you’re looking for a certified steelwork contractor throughout the UK or Ireland contact JWCI Process Engineers in Fole, Staffordshire, England.Call Kerry on 01889 507177 or email enquiries@jwciltd.com to find out more.

High standards and commitment to quality and service in engineering

JWCI Safe Contractor and ISO 9001 Accreditations renewed!

We are please to announce we have once again achieved the standards required for SafeContractor and ISO 9001 accreditation.

The ISO 9001 Accreditation is all about maintaining a quality-led philosophy - this is exactly why ISO 9001 is stipulated within tenders both in the UK and abroad.

"The ISO 9001 standard is based on a number of quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Using ISO 9001 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services." Extract taken from the ISO website. 

SafeContractor is another industry standard we felt it was important to achieve and maintain. If you are a contractor or service supplier and want to demonstrate your health and safety competence to new and existing clients, then SafeContractor is key. 

If you would like to discuss any process engineering projects please call JWCI on 01889 507 177 or visit our website for more details.

www.jwciltd.com

For more details on ISO Certifications please visit 

www.iso.org

For more details on the SafeContractor Scheme visit:

www.safecontractor.com

SAFEcontractor Accredited

JWCI Ltd is again proud to be one of the latest group of companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record. JWCI Ltd have achieved the SAFEcontractor status for the last few years and are pleased to say have been successful again this year. 

The Staffordshire based firm received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors. 
Employing 12 people JWCI Ltd is principally involved in the dairy, food and chemical industries with a proven track record for high quality and professional service. Recent clients have included Quenby Hall Dairy, one of only six ‘Stilton’ cheese makers.

“We felt it was important to become SAFEcontractor accredited in order to highlight to potential customers our dedication to best practice and quality of service” Kerry Callear, JWCI Ltd

The company's application to receive SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need for a uniform standard across the business. 
SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the companys ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.
SAFEcontractor accreditation is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services.
John Kinge, Head of Risk at SAFEcontractor said “Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies”.
“More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that JWCI Ltd has done. The firms continued high standards set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector”.
Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standards are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com.

Please visit www.jwciltd.com or call 01889 507177 for further information.