Development of standards document for reuse of steel structural elements launched

NEN will begin standardizing a process in 2021 to allow steel elements that have performed a structural function in a structure to be more easily reused as a structural element.

Structural steel released from structures being demolished is mostly recycled. To reduce the environmental impact of steel, reuse of these elements is an attractive option. However, this must not compromise the structural safety of structures. Determining the quality of an element that is reused is therefore important.

Supplementary national standards document

The current system for determining the quality of steel structural elements, focuses on new elements. Parties trying to apply the same procedure for used elements experience difficulties that are partly overcome by an additional national standards document. Also, such a standards document supports designers who want to enable future reuse of new products.

Among other things, the standards document to be developed will make clear:
- What the procedure involves to determine the quality of the elements to be reused;
- Which party has which responsibility;
- How the procedure fits within the permitting process.

The standards document will be developed by a working group within NEN and briefly submitted to the market for consultation.

Learn more

Interested in participating in the process of developing a standards document for the reuse of steel structural elements? Contact Suzanne Dietz, consultant Construction, phone 015 2 690 384 or email mb@nen.nl.

read the message at nen.co.uk