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62 Tube Products International September 2016
Tata Steel Europe – UK
tubes. Hot-formed tubes have an improved ability to be
threaded, grooved and bent to tight radii without splitting,
creasing or collapsing. Moreover, the improved roundness
and consistency of thickness makes end matching for joining
a much easier process.
In addition to considering the manufacturing process, ensuring
products are specified to the correct standards is of the
utmost importance. Although often referred to in parts of
the building services industry as the pipework specification
standard, BS1387 was actually replaced in 2004.
The standard’s successor, EN10255, ensures compliance
for CE marking and with the European Commission’s
Construction Products Regulations (CPR), demonstrating that
the products are fit for purpose. However, it alone does not
provide differentiation between hot-finished and cold-formed
products.
Specifiers should therefore also look towards the EN10217-1
standard, which does allow for both hot- and cold-formed
products, ensuring compliance with the Pressure Equipment
Directive (PED). To guarantee that a hot-formed product is
specified correctly, it is vital to include EN10217-2 within the
specification details.
By requesting an EN10217-2 compliant product, a ‘GH’ (Get
Hot) hot-finished steel tube will be supplied, dramatically
removing the risk of the product cracking or failing, and
increasing the safety of where the steel tube is applied.
To guarantee certification with key legislation, multi-certified
tube products, ie those that meet EN10255, EN 10217-1 and
EN10217-2, are therefore ideal for removing any confusion
surrounding compliance and ensuring the best product is
chosen for an application.
Ensuring legislative compliance and manufactured within the
UK is Tata Steel’s Install Plus 235 hot-finished tube product
range. Suitable for a wide range of pipework applications, each
product was developed with the CE marking requirements of
the Construction Products Regulations and with the Pressure
Equipment Directive in mind. Achieved by manufacturing to
the BS EN10255, BS EN10217 Part 2 and the Get Hot (GH)
grade, a fully hot-finished robust product is guaranteed.
Confusion of when to use hot- and cold-form tube products,
and misunderstanding with regards to the correct standard to
comply with, has led to a state of uncertainty within the sector.
Consequently, when it comes to specifying the right product
for the appropriate application, further technical guidance is
often required.
To aid in addressing this prevalent industry issue, Tata
Steel is collaborating with the School of Civil and Building
Engineering, Loughborough University, UK, to help establish
the Building and Industrial Services Pipework Academy
(BISPA) [as reported in the March 2016 issue of Tube
Products International]. The aim of this initiative is to support
the building and industrial services industry by improving
awareness of pipework-related issues. Education is provided
on issues such as tube specifications and the benefits of
hot-finished tube products. Furthermore, BISPA provides
participants the opportunity to get practical experience with
new and emerging industry innovations such as pipework
Building Information Modelling (BIM).
When it comes to specifying a tube for a specific project,
too often building professionals are somewhat short-sighted,
opting for what appears to be the more cost-effective
option. However, not all tubes are created equal. Therefore,
when undertaking the process of matching a tube product
for a specific purpose, a more meticulous look into the
manufacturing process is strongly advisable. Tubes created
through a hot-finished process, where the internal stresses and
weakened regions of a cold-formed product are eradicated,
produce an unparalleled level of reliability and durability, as
well as delivering true fabrication, installation and service life
benefits.