STEEL FABRICATION CERTIFICATIONFOR NZ SPECIFIERS

SFC REDUCES RISK

The Steel Fabrication Certification (SFC) scheme introduces a mark of quality to New Zealand’s structural steel sector. It reduces the compliance risk for engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, builders, and building and infrastructure owners.

Significantly, SFC offers independent, expert certification of New Zealand fabrication companies. It provides procurers of locally fabricated structural confidence that certified fabricators have the appropriate personnel and procedures in place to consistently produce work of the required quality.

Today, SFC is transitioning to become a compulsory requirement – all Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) fabricators will be certified by 2020.

What’s more, a new Fabrication and Erection (AS/NZS 5131) Standard has been published. Once adopted in New Zealand, it will provide a standards framework for the technical and quality requirements of the SFC scheme. SFC will help identify fabricators capable of meeting the requirements of this new standard.

SFC BENEFITS• Reduces the compliance risk forspecifiersandprocurers• Potentially avoids project delays and costs associated with rework•Independentverificationof fabricator capability to meet the requirements of AS/NZS 5131• Lower engineer and builder costs to ensure work meets the required standard• Helps to evaluate tender bids

For more details visit www.steelfabcert.co.nz

SFC ARCHITECTURESteel Fabrication Certification is based on four pillars: technical requirements, conformity assessment, a risk-based approach and an independent auditing body.

Technical RequirementsThe technical foundation for SFC is AS/NZS 5131 (Structural Steelwork – Fabrication and Erection), which is expected to replace the Fabrication and Erection provisions in the current Steel Structures Standard NZS 3404 in 2018.

Fabricator• Fabricators are certified to a construction category, CC1-CC4• Certification is valid for five years and includes annual surveillance audits• Certified fabricators display an SFC quality mark• The SFC website lists all certified fabricators and their CC rating

For more details visit www.steelfabcert.co.nz

Conformity AssessmentWeld quality is at the core of the SFC scheme and the International Institute of Welding’s Manufacturer Certification Scheme IIW MCS ISO 3834 is a key certification plank. AS/NZS 5131 defines the manufacturing controls needed to ensure that structural steel components meet the technical conditions of the standard.

Risk-based ApproachFour construction categories, CC1-CC4, are recognised in the SFC framework. It enables specifiers to select a level of quality management appropriate to how safety critical the component will be in the construction.

Independent Auditing AuthorityIn line with international best practice, independent auditing body HERA Certification Ltd was established to assess and certify steel fabrication companies. It audits both the welding and the fabrication quality management systems.

Increased certainty, reducedrisk for engineers, builders and

buidling officials

AuditingAuthoritythroughHERA

Certification

Risk-basedApproach

ConstructionCategories

ConformityAssessment

TechnicalRequirements

Steel Fabrication Certification (SFC)

CC1

● Farm sheds● Fences● Signs

Least risk and consequence Most risk and consequence

SFC CONSTRUCTION CATEGORIES

CC2

● Low- tomedium-risebuildings (industrial buildings,offices*, residential apartments* and retail*

* Seismic load-resisting system will beCC3 if subject tomedium to high

inelastic demand

CC1 CC2

● Large structures (e.g. high-risebuildings)

● Large stadia● Post-disaster

buildings (e.g. hospitals)

● Buildings ofnational interest(e.g. airports, train stations)

● High seismic demand, fatigue

● Bridges withfracture-critical elements

Define Construction Category (CC) required

Establish systemto ISO 3834.2 (CC3 and CC4) or AS/NZS 1554 (CC2) as applicable

Address other requirements of the SFC scheme

Pre-audit meeting, signed contract

Appointment of auditors

On-site assessment

Interview with welding coordination team

Contact HERA Certification

1 2 3 4

8 7 6 5

Report and resulting actions

Annual surveillance (via audit)

Steel Fabricator Certification, including IIW MCS ISO 3834 (for CC3 and CC4, valid for five years)

9 10 11

SFC IN PRACTICE Structural EngineerThe designer specifies a construction category, or categories, for the structural steelwork as a whole or for various components.

BuilderBuilders must ensure that the fabricators they engage for steelwork contracts are certified for the appropriate construction category specified by the designer.

FOR PEACE OF MIND, SPECIFY SFC-QUALIFIED FABRICATORS FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT.For more details visit www.steelfabcert.co.nz

“Compliant product that meets New Zealand standards is of paramount importance to our building and infrastructure projects. As a major customer to the structural steel industry, we applaud SCNZ and its members for taking this positive step to bolster the quality assurance of the fabricated steelwork produced locally. It’s a welcome development that will give us increased confidence in New Zealand fabricated product.”– Terry Buchan, Auckland Regional Manager, Hawkins Construction

“Third-party certification is invaluable to consultants and the industry. The SFC scheme provides peace of mind that the steel fabrication team working on the project has the necessary level of expertise to allow the project to run smoothly and deliver a quality product of the required specification.”– Samir Govind, Technical Director – Structural Engineering, Beca

“Non-compliant steel supply and fabrication must be avoided at all costs. The Building Officials Institute of New Zealand views the introduction of the Steel Fabrication Certification scheme as a significant step in the process to negate poor performance, bolster compliance and build public confidence in the built sector.”– Nick Hill, CEO, Building Officials Institute of New Zealand

Steel Construction New Zealand Inc.L2, 17-19 Gladding Place, P.O. Box 76403, Manukau City 2241, New ZealandPhone: +64 9 263 5635, Fax: +64 9 263 5638, Email: info@scnz.orgwww.scnz.orgJUNE 2017