42 SAFETY, SECURITY & FIRE PROTECTION
BS9124 - Setting the standard
THE SPECIFICATION OF FABRICATED STEEL ACCESS COVER SYSTEMS WHERE THE PROTECTION OF SERVICES AND THE SAFETY OF THE INDIVIDUAL ARE THE PRIORITY SHOULD NOW BE A MORE PRECISE PROCESS FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF DEDICATED BS 9124 STANDARD. ENSURING THE SPECIFIED PRODUCT IS FIT FOR PURPOSE, VERY OFTEN IN A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IS KEY, ARGUES LEE HENLEY - TECHNICAL SALES MANAGER FOR STEELWAY BRICKHOUSE.
“D
ue to the absence pre 1994 of any standard whatsoever and subsequent regular amendments, the specification of fabricated access covers across their wide ranging applications has continued to present the specifier with a minefield and a difficult decision to get right first time. EN124 in 1994 did include Steel and Aluminium but to a limited degree, for instance within the scope of EN124 the clear opening is restricted to 1000mm and the loadings are designed around having one vehicle wheel sitting ontop of the cover.
While the emergence in 1995 of FACTA (Fabricated Access Covers Trade Association) resulted in a widely used defined standard, it was unable to be adopted by the British Standards Institute. In my opinion this historical confusion has resulted in an
unsatisfactory situation whereby some manufacturers are ‘standard compliant’ while others, without censure, badge products without the necessary validation. This situation has arisen, as currently, unlike EU standards, BS standards are not mandatory, leaving the access cover sector vulnerable to potentially inferior product supply from so called ‘back street fabricators’. The need for clear industry guidance has now resulted in the release, in August 2008, of BS9124, the only standard currently recognised by BSI for fabricated access covers. Steelway Brickhouse have a full understanding of and remain fully compliant with all applicable standards.
Why BS9124?
The new BS9124 (2008) specifically details requirements for Steel and Aluminium access covers larger than 1000mm clear opening and for compliance a slip resistant finish also has to be taken into consideration and applied to the finished surface. BS9124 is the culmination of a range of input from industry vested interests including HSE, FACTA, Water UK, HA and the Institute of Civil Engineers. The fundamental difference between BS9124 and other
available standards/specifications is one of structural performance. It does not require individual load testing but requires compliance with the relevant Euronorms verified by calculations. Typical applications for BS9124 will include Pump/Valve chambers, CSO Screens, Flow Meters, Biomass fuel stores and town centre regeneration, (for fountains and tree irrigation pits) and shopping centres. As a business we welcome BS9124 seeing it as a definitive move with regard to clarification and reassurance for the sector that compliant manufacturers products can be specified with confidence. BS9124 meets the requirement for a coherent industry standard and can have the positive effect of delivering a more rationalised and standardised Access Cover product range. My own company are working hard to promote BS9124 and dispel any confusion which can exist where Access Cover specification is concerned. Our CPD accredited presentation seminar explains and simplifies the technical requirements whilst relating BS9124 to existing standards and specifications such as FACTA & BS EN124.
Recent BS9124 compliance related successes for Steelway Brickhouse include a 3 year framework agreement with Anglian Water Services. This framework covers the design, supply and installation of our ‘stamp- lock’ non-security access covers. Anglian Waters requirement was for a competitive offer utilising up to date specifications to help standardise their access cover requirements. They also required the manufacturer to fully install the product and take responsibility for the complete package.
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