CambridgeHOK achieves the CE mark for structural steelwork

From July 1st 2014 it is a legal requirement for any steel fabricator to have CE accreditation for any structural steel it wishes to manufacture. This applies to glasshouses, portal frame buildings and general structural steelwork and it applies to any steel building regardless of the use.

In order to achieve this the fabricator has to pass an external audit demonstrating its competence and organisation including comprehensive structural steel calculations, training and certification of welding labour, calibration of plant, internal traceability and robust internal controls.

Even if a company is supplying a structural steel building but not fabricating it, it is necessary for the importer or distributor to have appropriate and documented control systems in place to be able to confirm the products are appropriately CE marked and to demonstrate that the supply chain is correctly managed.

The legislation does not specify that CE marking applies to new buildings only and therefore strict interpretation would indicate the legislation also covers secondhand buildings.

Companies building new structures must ensure the supplier of the building is CE marked. One key question being discussed is whether an insurer would pay out for a claim against a building erected after July 1st where the supplier was not CE marked. This could well leave the insure exposed to serious financial loss.

CambridgeHOK are delighted to have been awarded CE status for structural steel fabrication and have achieved execution class 3 status allowing CambridgeHOK to design and manufacture all but the most complex steel structures.

If you have any queries in respect of CE marking and its implications for your project don’t hesitate to call CambridgeHOK for appropriate guidance and advice.

For more information
CambridgeHOK
T: + 44 0 1430 449440
info@cambridgeglasshouse.co.uk
www.cambridgehok.co.uk

Publication date: Tue 24 Jun 2014