At the recently held ECA Conference in Mallorca it was refreshing to attend one of the breakout sessions with the theme health and safety on site. However, I was staggered to hear that there is almost total ignorance regarding complete system supply and integrity for metal framing products commonly known as strut.

During the past two years there has been a major influx of imported components from India, China and other Far Eastern countries. These components have been sold by the importers, generally through wholesalers, to the contractor without being challenged as to their structural performance and certification.

Given that very expensive and heavy equipment is generally supported overhead from these products, I feel there is a severe accident waiting to happen; one that could result in a fatality.

Metal framing systems comprise steel channel profiles with brackets connected via channel spring nuts and hex head bolts to build a framework to support mechanical and electrical services. Metstrut manufactures or purchases these components to a standard as applicable or to a specification. The full combination is then tested to derive safe working loads as a system. It is the bracket, channel spring nut and bolt that are all commonly imported with as much as 30% less load carrying capacity.

Metstrut is often consulted to provide a design service based on our own test data and it is very worrying that our full system does not always end up in the application and therefore the design is void.

It is high time the industry took notice of the risk associated with these cherry-picking mix and match practices that are taking place on most sites. It should demand fully certified products along with evidence that they comply.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

Neil Smith, Director and general manager, Metstrut Division, Metsec Building Products