The report highlights a number of benefits of adopting the new EN Standards. These include practical benefits, such as providing clearer product definitions and a simplified ordering system; as well as commercial benefits, including facilitating trade within the European Community and enabling quicker, more reliable and cost effective service from suppliers.

Copies of the report can be obtained from BSSA: enquiry@bssa.org.uk

This paper was presented at ISSF-7 conference in May 2003 by Graham Gedge from Arup. The Open Panel Discussion is summarized at the end of the paper.

Special BSSA report to provide buyers and specifiers with clear guidelines for specifying stainless long products to the latest European standards

Award-winning stainless steel solutions from around the world.

Deterioration of reinforced concrete caused by corrosion of the carbon steel reinforcing bars (rebars) is a worldwide problem. The corrosion product ("rust") occupies a greater volume than the original steel bar and this creates a pressure which causes cracking and subsequent spalling of the surrounding concrete.

Flat products ( plate sheet coil and strip ) tolerance standards are outlined. These include EN10029 EN10048 EN10051 EN10258 and EN10259. Thickness, width length, flatness, out of square and edge camber tolerances to EN10259 are discussed along with the advantages of the EN tolerance standards.

ISSF has produced a leaflet which answers some basic questions on stainless steel rebar:

·         Why stainless steel reinforcing bar?

·         What are the benefits?

·         Is it cost-effective?