CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS
Irish Anchor Code gradually taking effect
With the publication of British Standard BS 8539 imminent, we asked Bryan Carroll, technical director of Masonry Fixings, Dublin, to reflect on its antecedent, the Irish Health & Safety Authority’s ‘Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Anchors’, which has now been in force for just over two years.
proved to be substantially attributable to the unauthorised and inappropriate substitution of specified concrete anchors for shorter length alternatives. The fixings supplier to the site was Masonry Fixings and while the Dublin company was quickly and totally exonerated in the subsequent investigation the experience catalysed Bryan Carroll into becoming the major driving force behind the development and publication of the Irish HSA Code. The Code was designed as a ‘user-friendly’ practical guide
T
to designers, specifiers and installers in ensuring observance of Irish safety at work and construction regulations. As such the Code effectively has force of law, and contraventions of its guidance can be admissable in evidence in subsequent legal proceedings. The Code came into operation on 17th
the Irish construction industry had plunged into probably the deepest recession it has ever known. Two years on and the question to Bryan Carroll is whether,
with the benefit of hindsight, he would had done anything different. He acknowledges the Code was developed in “a hostile environment” in the sense that it stemmed from the fatal accident, and was put together while the court case relating to that accident was in process. “It would have been nicer if it had come out of a wider recognition of the need to regulate the industry. We did put the Code together under a bit of pressure but on the other hand, without that pressure, it is doubtful it would ever have seen the light of day.” He has no doubts about the final Code, though: “it is definitely a good document. Initially people in the industry thought it was more legislation and paperwork but they’ve come to recognise it does actually simplify things. There is a straight forward form (FM-01), that gathers all the information needed to ensure accurate anchor design and specification. Then the anchor manufacturer’s design software printout can be accepted as the FM-02 anchor specification form.” Importantly, these forms provide the basis for accurate and
informed change management. “Previously, change management was difficult – you didn’t know what the load was, whether the concrete was cracked or non-cracked, what the strength was,” says Bryan. “The consultant may well have done the specification six months previously, and for him there is no incentive at all to redo his work. Now with the Code, change management can be
94 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 76 July 2012
he Irish HSA Code owns its existence to a combination of a fatal accident and the passion and personal commitment of one man. The accident killing a construction worker on a Dublin construction site,
carried out easily because all of the information needed is there.” “Once you change anything, of course, you effectively become
the designer, and take on all the responsibilities that includes. That said, if you are using the data from the calculations based on ETAG data, where’s your risk?” There is some disappointment that, over the two years,
the Irish HSA has not been energetic in pushing the adoption of the Code but Bryan Carroll is pragmatic. “Unfortunately and regretably they didn’t. That has largely been because its introduction coincided with the wheels coming off the Irish economy and the HSA themselves have downsized. A lot of the people involved in the Code’s development have gone.” That said, he
May 2010 by which time
believes “most of the big contractors have bought into it and are now also asking the sub contractors on-site ‘do you comply with the Irish Code of Practice, do your anchors have ETAs, do you have the FM-02 form?’.” “Then there is
an FM-03 form that the installer has to complete to confirm correct installation procedure and that the correct dimension and type of anchor has been installed. The fact that he now has to sign off on that makes him think a bit more and realise there might be repercussions on him.” Significantly, because it was issued by the Irish HSA, the Code
has force of law. In that respect BS 8539, on the development of which Bryan Carroll has advised extensively, differs. “Here, if you don’t comply and something goes wrong, particularly if someone is hurt, legal liability is clear. The BS code will not have the same status although it is likely to be deemed best practice, so in the event something went wrong and was down to incorrect installation the content of the Code would almost certainly be admissable in evidence”. For Bryan Carroll the BS Code has “provided the opportunity to address the few shortcomings we have learnt about over
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