VIEWPOINT MAKING STEEL SPECIFICATIONS
MORE SPECIFIC AGAIN Richard Lovatt, bespoke steel sales manager, Wrekin Products
DESPITE A LONGSTANDING membership with the Fabricated Access Covers Trade Association (FACTA) and commitment to fostering the correct use of high- quality access covers, there is a recurring issue which requires a widespread effort to resolve. All too often, vague steel access cover specifications create a gap between contractor expectations and supplier understanding. At Wrekin Products, we have a simple message for architects and builders merchants; it’s time to make steel access cover specifications more specific again. Ultimately, motivation to get things right first time should come from the possibility of reducing incompatibility and avoiding errors, while improving specification accuracy and post- installation safety. The solution isn’t complicated either, and simply starts with being more inquisitive and asking more questions. But, why does the problem exist?
A generational shift Builders merchants must understand different applications, otherwise it’s only luck that will dictate whether the right product reaches a customer where a middleman is involved. Worse still, when an incorrectly specified product does reach a contractor, the possibility of failure increases significantly.
From a sustainability perspective alone, anyone can see that products being delivered to the wrong application will waste energy, but the impact of these errors is compounded when you add time, money and safety concerns into the mix. Recognising the pressures merchants face, we believe it’s important that manufacturers play a greater role in supporting
and ensure customers receive the most appropriate solution for their project. Ultimately, better-informed conversations at the trade counter lead to better outcomes on site.
“We have a simple message for architects and builders merchants; it’s time to make steel access cover specifications more specific again.”
technical knowledge and product understanding. That’s why we developed our Civils Hub, a dedicated training platform designed to provide practical, accessible learning opportunities on our products, applications and specification best practice. By giving merchants access to straightforward technical guidance and expert support, we can help build confidence, improve specification accuracy,
August 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
The key questions Beyond the required size of a steel access cover, an obvious question that must be asked is where the opening is located. Whether the area is heavily trafficked, urban or residential, surrounded by grass or within a slow-moving access road, all of these different surroundings impact successful specification. While a lighter cover is perfectly suitable for a small path next to a domestic property, a much heavier duty cover will be required in more demanding areas. Another consideration is whether a cover needs to be sealed or plain seated, which dictates whether it’s essential to prevent odors and water from passing through.
Then there is the question on whether covers need to be solid top, recessed for block infill, or recessed for floor finish. While this may not make a difference when it comes to performance, missing this question is a sure- fire way to ruining a landscape architect’s vision.
Iron inspiration Although BS EN 124 applies to access covers manufactured from a variety of materials, with ductile iron being the most well recognised, it is argued that some test procedures are inappropriate for steel. The standard defines certain test loads and minimum permanent deflections that are impractical from an economic point of view, and, it is argued, unnecessary in certain slow- moving traffic situations. In addition, steel fabrication is a
highly flexible process allowing non-standard sizes and designs which are not covered by BS EN 124.
As a consequence, industries in the UK create complication by using multiple definitions of loading categorisation. Some are historical descriptions, while others are descriptions based on the gross laden weight of a vehicle or individual wheel loads. There can be conflicting definitions of exactly what the descriptions mean and how the access cover will perform. In an attempt to apply some logic and give guidance to users, FACTA has produced definitions and loading categorisations in the form of classes for fabricated covers – but not pressed tops. So, in short, while BS EN 124 offers clear and consistent guidance for the specification of ductile iron, it falls short of the mark when it comes to steel. Due to this lack of relevant regulation and agreed industry standard, specifying the right steelwork for a project is more difficult, but through a concerted industry effort we can find the answers more quickly.
Where there’s a will there’s a way
Although it should be a step taken much earlier in the process than it is currently the case, we regularly take on the responsibility of travelling to sites across the UK to take measurements and notes that really matter. By working with specifiers and architects, we’re able to identify technical details which avoid confusion and uncertainty.
However, this process
consumes valuable time, which could otherwise have been saved through earlier consideration of the key questions which should be asked. BMJ
13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
