No doubt many HERA News readers are aware that New Zealand structural steel designers have had access to the free Fabsec FBEAM® design software. With a total of 159 individual licenses issued in New Zealand, this is a widely-used software package that produces efficient steel designs. Last year, at least 6,000 tonnes of welded beams…
In today’s competitive structural steel market, the ability to meet the client’s expectations while making an adequate return requires the capability to meet specifications and to minimise profit-eating re-work. This is achieved by implementing a quality management system using the well-established “standard” methodology based on the following principles: Welders who follow suitably qualified, efficient procedures…
B.C.Update 176: Further Guidance Relating to Building Product Substitution Work by MBIE to assist BCAs concerned about inferior building products has highlighted ongoing issues relating to product substitution. In some cases, products substituted after building consent has been granted have been unauthorised, have no evidence of compliance with the relevant Building Code requirements, and invalidate…
In order to ensure welding qualification tests are carried out correctly, personnel are appointed to witness welder/welding operator and/or welding procedure specification (WPS) qualification tests being performed. These tests involve welding and subsequent mechanical testing , and the personnel appointed need to be competent for the tasks they are expected to perform. A typical term…
As previously reported, HERA took up Minister’s Joyce’s offer made at the re-opening of HERA House to investigate why industry funding from (heavy engineering research) levy-funded activities are not able to attract Government R&D funding support in the same way direct industry R&D money does. The main point of HERA’s letter was our concern that…
According to EN 1090-2, steel components have to be identifiable and traceable throughout the whole production chain. The choice of identification method is not specified consistently in international rules and standards. In terms of durability and liability, markings should be resistant to particular fabrication processes such as sandblasting, hot-dip galvanizing or coating. The methods are…
This month, the HERA Training Centre is again offering Part 2 of its training programme in welding inspection leading to national and international qualifications. This is for the CBIP Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), and the globally-recognised IIW International Welding Inspector Basic (IWI-B) and International Welding Inspector Standard (IWI-S). The Centre is New Zealand’s only International Institute of Welding (IIW) Accredited Training…
Following an introductory email members will have received from WorkSafe New Zealand regarding the Government-funded Health and Safety Representative (HSR) transition training programme, WorkSafe is now introducing Safety ‘n Action. Safety ‘n Action is developing the HSR transition training course in partnership with WorkSafe New Zealand. This free training is available for HSRs within our…
As a past reviewer, Dr Stephen Hicks was invited to author a paper for the flagship journal of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Civil Engineering. Following its recent publication, details of the paper are given below. Eurocodes – Overcoming the Barriers to Global Adoption, by Dr Stephen Hicks In 2010 the Eurocodes replaced the equivalent…
The risk of fire and explosion is ever present with welding and thermal cutting and the fatal accident at an Auckland tank farm is a timely reminder of this. It is no coincidence that most welding equipment and welding consumables come with warnings either in the user instructions or on the packaging. Nor is it…
The Sustainable Steel Council (SSC) was formed in 2009 to promote the use of steel as a sustainable building material to the various stakeholders within New Zealand’s building and property industries. Following the formation of Metals New Zealand (MNZ) in 2011, SSC supports the wider MNZ activity on the sustainability of metal products. Since 2011,…
HERA has been alerted to the fact that there is a list of AS/NZS obsolete standards posted on Standards New Zealand’s web site. Among them are some standards on aluminium and stainless steel – see their website for further details. Sep252015 Update shared by our General Manager Dr Stephen Hicks Access Standards NZ website to find out more…