Comment: Are standards up to standard?

08/02/2018 |

European and British manufacturing standards should only ever act as a starting point for a specification.  To maximise whole life costs you need to consider far more Paul Thompson, Product and Marketing Manager for Saint-Gobain PAM UK argues.



Standards are vital in that they verify that a product or system has met a baseline level of performance.  They help prevent the specification of poor quality products, so they are a useful place to start on a specification.


Manufacturers will comply with system standards such as ISO 9001 for quality systems, ISO14001 for environmental management systems plus others for raw materials and health and safety.  In addition, their manufactured products might comply with product standards, such as EN124 for access covers and gratings.


A quality mark can confirm compliance to a standard, which shows that a third party has independently verified the system or product.


EN124 2015


BS EN 124, for example, covers gully tops and man hole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas.  Depending on the application you may then also need to consider a further British Standard – BS7903 covering the ‘selection and use of manhole covers and gully tops for installation within the highway’.


Part 1 of EN124 defines the scope of the standard and classifies what the products are used for, its materials, the design and performance requirements and the testing regime to ensure that they perform to a minimum level.


Parts 2-6 are specific to the different types of material used to manufacture access covers and gratings, with part 2 detailing the requirements of products made of cast iron and contains the specific tests relevant to this material.


Such testing is important to ensure that the products are fit for purpose.  The problem is that they don’t always reflect what happens to the product in service.


For example, BS EN 124 requires a static load bearing test where the test load is applied to the cover and held for 30 seconds.  The condition of the cover top is then recorded and a report prepared.


Unfortunately static load failures do not happen in real life; access covers and gratings installations tend to fail as a result of dynamic or transitional loading exerted by different traffic conditions.


This is why such standards should only form the base requirements for a specification, to which other industry specific and client requirements are overlaid.


Within the highways industry you will also find the guidance note HA104/09 Chamber Tops and Gully Tops for Road Drainage and Services: Installation and Maintenance. This is seen by many as an example of best practice and makes performance-based recommendations that supplement EN124 for a client.


To quote directly from this guidance: ‘The premature failure of chamber top and gully top installations has been shown to be a major contributory factor to the annual maintenance budget of UK roads.


‘These failures are not usually of the frame and cover itself but of the supporting system and the pavement surface, generally flexible, immediately adjacent to the installation. Rocking of the frame and cover in failed installations can occur under traffic, causing noise pollution and potential hazard to vehicles.’


The guidance note details requirements for each critical element of different applications covering gully tops, chamber tops, bedding materials, new work installations and reinstatement works.


When it comes to specifying ironworks, it is important to be aware of the standards and guidance notes, but not to rely on them if you want to achieve the best whole-life costs for the installation.


There are multiple factors to consider for a specification.  What is the installation’s environment and location, will it be heavily trafficked?  Is it important to secure the cover against theft or prevent access and what about safe access for authorised users?  For safety is it worth considering anti-skid surfaces?


Finally, it is worth noting that such installations are a complete system.  The best results come from specifying suitable products which includes not just the ironwork, but also the materials used to install them.  More often than not failures are due to poor installation practice and it is incumbent on the whole supply chain to both train personnel and to check that best practice is followed.


Standards are vital, but on their own they are not enough.  They should be there to help but are not a crutch that a specifier can rely on if they want to minimise the life cycle costs of ironwork.


Saint Gobain-PAM UK has developed an hour long CPD accredited training course called Access Covers and Gratings – Standards and Specification Overview and Guidance.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW