To support the more widespread use of cold-formed, galvanized light steel, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) BCSA has launched the first National Light-Gauge Steelwork Specification (NLSS), to support a national drive to tackle the housing crisis and build on the long-term proven success of the material in residential and other buildings. The new Specification has been developed with input from the wider construction and the light-gauge steelwork industry.
The Specification is intended to be incorporated into construction contracts, giving clients, designers, contractors and manufacturers confidence that light-gauge steelwork is being produced and used to the highest regulatory standards.
"Light-gauge steel frame structures use galvanized cold-formed steel sections as the primary structural components which can be assembled into prefabricated panels," said BCSA's CEO Jonathan Clemens (pictured). "Light-gauge steel is an integral part of modular construction because it is strong, lightweight, durable and is becoming a more significant solution for residential buildings.
"The introduction of the Building Safety Act has focused the construction industry on competence and capability to ensure that building projects are robust and are designed and constructed to ensure the safety of those living and working in residential and office buildings. The NLSS sets out a framework of requirements to reassure designers, clients and contractors that the light-gauge steelwork industry is able to establish and maintain high standards in all areas of its operations."
The NLSS will establish what the high standards are exactly and provide the industry with clarity of expectations, outputs and outcomes. Modern methods of construction (MMC) are widely expected to prove invaluable in tackling the UK's housing shortages over the coming years, and light-gauge steel will have a key role to play.
The NLSS will come into force from April 2025 and will immediately harmonise both the approach to its use, and the terms used in the industry, providing transparency that reduces risk. It also aims to improve communication and quality standards, so it describes the information to be included in a project specification such as:
• Materials used
• Transfer of design information
• Manufacture
• Assembly
• Installation
• Requirements for protective treatment
• Quality management
The NLSS provides a uniform set of requirements for the manufacture and construction of light-gauge steel structures in compliance with the requirements of European Standards. The Specification also includes a section on quality management, which requires the designers, manufacturers and installers of light-gauge steel structures to have the necessary facilities, skills and quality management systems in place.
The specification will initially be voluntary, but support is being given by all the relevant key trade associations, so its use is expected to be widespread. It is intended that the specification should be invoked as part of the individual Project Specification, and thus be part of the total building contract.
The NLSS is available to purchase from the BCSA website.
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