ADCAS voices concerns over minimum galvanised steel coating

Over the past 12 months steel prices have risen significantly and are predicted to rise further still. While this may be good news for the steel mills that are still operating, ADCAS has raised concerns that this swing may have a negative effect on the ductwork industry.

One of the key issues for UK based ductwork manufacturers is the inability to source steel from UK based suppliers. As things stand, UK steel stockholders and distributors are unable to provide the volume of British steel required and can only do so by bringing in imported raw material from overseas. With tariffs now being introduced on some Far-Eastern steel imports, prices are being inflated and manufacturing options are increasingly limited.

Unless manufacturers buy from trusted sources and are truly confident about the origin of the steel they are purchasing, there is always a risk that they may not be getting exactly what they’ve paid for.

Sub-standard ducting is far more likely to rust, waste energy and impact negatively on the health and wellbeing of the building occupants. 140g/m² is recognised as the minimum galvanised steel coating but this is not suitable for every project – specifically in environments where longevity and corrosion are significant factors.

DW144 – the specification for sheet metal ductwork – reproduces Tata Steel tables that provide the approximate life expectancy of a solution dependent on its location in the UK. In every scenario, a coating weight of 275g/m² can be expected to last twice as long as a 140g/m² coating, offering a more cost-effective solution.

Malcolm Moss, Chairman of ADCAS, commented: “Unfortunately, the latest update to DW144 could cause some confusion in the marketplace. In stating that 140g/m² is acceptable as long as the contractor deems it to be acceptable, there is an increased risk that the lower value coating will be used in projects where it is simply not up to the job.”

02-02-2017