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

JWCI Ltd - Investing in the future

JWCI Limited is a long established company, located in the heart of the UK with our Head Office in Cheadle and manufacturing facilities in Fole, Uttoxeter. We design, construct and install processing equipment for a wide range of customers in the dairy, food, chemical and other process industries.

The current economic climate is proving tough for many businesses but JWCI are ‘bucking the trend’ with big plans over the next 12 months. 

With many years in the industry under their belt  JWCI are investing in a site expansion of their current manufacturing facilities in Fole. The expansion will improve facilities and help meet the increasing demand for high quality engineering.

The larger workshops and improved employee facilities will increase productivity and allow JWCI to undertake larger commissions in-house and reduce manufacturing times.

There will also be a new testing facility for skids and equipment to minimize commissioning on site. 

Holding a larger range of parts in permanent stock, thanks to the new expansion, will reduce delivery times even further for customers ordering plant processing equipment 7 days a week. An important service when plant down time can be so costly for manufacturers.

All this means that JWCI will now be offering a two year guarantee on all their prefabricated work as standard. This increase, from the usual 12 month guarantee offered by many of their competitors, highlights the assurance they have in their products being of the highest quality.

The site expansion is due to be fully operational by July 2012 so why not pay us a visit?

For more information on parts ordering, products or any other services offered by JWCI Ltd please call Kerry on 01889 507177.