Important revisions to ISO 1461
How the updated standard affects the galvanizing industry and customers
Some important revisions to ISO 1461 – the British Standard for hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and steel articles – have recently been made. The new 2022 version supersedes the 2009 version.
The standard will be adopted by CEN (the European Standards Organization) and subsequently by National Standards Bodies, including BSI in the UK and the National Standards Authority of Ireland.
Several important changes have been made to the document. As the changes affect both us – as galvanizers – and you – our customers – we’ve listed them below:
Summary of major changes
The most significant changes to the document concern the galvanizing of ultra-low reactive steels, coating thickness measurements on ancillary elements, removal of flux residues and zinc ash, and the renovation of galvanized steelwork.
There has been no fundamental change to the method of assessment of coating thickness, but allowances for measurements on ancillary elements and ultra-low reactive steels have been introduced. The revised standard states that thickness measurements should not be taken on ancillary elements (e.g. brackets) unless specifically requested by the customer. Recognition that certain steel compositions can exhibit ultra-low reactivity during galvanizing (i.e., cannot satisfy the standard minimum coating thickness requirements) has been introduced. Articles produced from steel with a section thickness greater than 3mm which have a composition of ≤0.01 % silicon AND an aluminium content >0.035 %, that exhibit ultra-low reactivity during galvanizing, can now be subject to lower coating thickness requirements (see 6.5 below). The variation to the standard requirements must be included in the Declaration of Compliance if one is to be provided.
An important change has been made with regards to removal of flux residues. In the 2009 version, flux staining/residues were not permitted anywhere on the article, but the updated version now acknowledges that removal (including zinc ash) in some fabrications is practically impossible. Therefore, if ‘access is restricted, for example inside hollow sections’ flux residues and zinc ash are permissible.
The key changes to the content on renovation of galvanized steelwork are the requirement for the pigment in a zinc-rich paint to conform to ISO 3549 ‘Zinc dust pigments for paints — Specifications and test methods’ which has been removed but must still offer sacrificial protection to the steel; and also, more comprehensive information within Annex C – Renovation of uncoated or damaged areas.
Changes in ISO 1461:2022 vs 2009 edition
1 Scope – No significant changes were made to the scope, however clarification to clearly state the standard specifies the general properties of, and test methods for, ‘hot dip galvanized’ coatings were incorporated.
2 Normative references – There has been slight changes to the standards contained within the normative references to reflect their status within the document. Notably, ISO 14713-2 ‘Zinc coatings — Guidelines and recommendations for the protection against corrosion of iron and steel in structures — Part 2: Hot dip galvanizing’ has been included.
3 Terms and definitions – Five new terms, galvanizer (3.3), after-treatment (3.18), additional coating (3.19), wet storage stain (3.20), duplex system (3.21) have been introduced to allow for simplification of the main text.
4 General Requirements – No significant changes.
5 Acceptance inspection and sampling – No significant changes, except the minimum number of articles in a control sample can be subject to deviation following agreement within the supply chain. The new text now reads ‘Unless otherwise agreed, the minimum number of articles from each inspection lot that forms the control sample shall be in accordance with Table 1.’
6.1 Galvanized coating properties – Appearance – Clarification has been made that only the visible significant surfaces are subject to the appearance acceptance inspection. Flux residues and zinc ash shall be removed where they can affect the intended use of the HDG article, or its corrosion resistance requirement, unless access is restricted, for example inside hollow sections. Previously, flux residues were not permitted anywhere on the article.
The coating, when first examined by normal vision from a distance of not less than 1m shall be free from blisters (i.e. raised areas without solid metal beneath), roughness and sharp points (if either that roughness or sharp point can cause injury) and uncoated areas. The 2009 version also included ‘Nodules’, however this has now been omitted from the list of prohibited coating features.
6.2 Galvanized coating properties – Thickness – The greater relevance of ISO 2178 ‘Non-magnetic coatings on magnetic substrates — Measurement of coating thickness — Magnetic method’ amongst the other coating thickness measurement standards has now been acknowledged.
6.2.3 – Reference areas – now states that ‘Unless otherwise agreed, reference areas shall not be chosen from ancilliary elements, when they are significantly smaller than the main elements of a larger article’ due to being thinner or less reactive. Acceptance that flame-cutting, laser-cutting and plasma-cutting can lead to the steel being more unreactive during galvanizing and decreased cohesion of the coating has been made. The 2022 edition now reads ‘In order to obtain the required coating thicknesses more reliably and to ensure adequate cohesion or adhesion of the coating, flame-cut, laser-cut and plasma-cut surfaces should have been ground off and sharp edges should have been removed during fabrication and prior to delivery to the galvanizer.’
The minimum size of a reference area is now clearly defined as being 10cm2.
6.3 – Galvanized coating properties – Renovation – The circumstances where a lower (than 100μm) minimum repair coating thickness can be agreed, has been expanded to account for thinner galvanized coatings around the damaged area, for example, where aesthetics may be important.
6.4 – Galvanized coating properties – Adhesion – No significant changes, however a new ‘note’ has been added which recognises that cohesion of the galvanized coating can be affected by a steel being ultra-low reactive – as defined in ISO 14713-2 Table 1, Note 4. There is still not a suitable international standard for testing the adhesion of galvanized coatings.
6.5 – Galvanized coating properties – Acceptance Criteria – It is within this section where the adjustment for ultra-low reactive steels has been introduced. The new text reads:
‘For articles with steel section thicknesses greater than 3 mm, produced from steels with compositions ≤0,01% silicon that also have aluminium contents >0,035%, that exhibit ultra-low reactivity during galvanizing and therefore cannot satisfy the minimum galvanized coating thickness in Table 3, the next lowest category of steel article section thickness given in Column 1 of Table 3 shall be applied. In such cases, if a declaration of compliance must be provided then it shall state this variation including the adjusted minimum mean galvanized coating thickness requirement that has been applied to the inspection lot.
NOTE – Certain steels, including but not limited to, either steels suitable for laser cutting with chemical compositions as given in ISO 14713-2:2019, Table 1, Note 4 or steels with high surface smoothness, or both, can exhibit ultra-low reactivity during galvanizing (see ISO 14713-2) and the coating thickness achieved on such steel articles can possibly not be dependent on steel section thickness. These factors are beyond the control of the galvanizer and can also result in even lower coating thicknesses than given in the next lowest category of steel article section thickness given in Table 3.’
7 – Declaration of Compliance – The terminology has been modified, in ISO 1461:2009 this was referred to as a ‘Certificate of compliance’ whereas now it is called a ‘Declaration of compliance’. Clarification that this must meet the requirements of ISO 10474 ‘Steel and steel products — Inspection documents’ has been incorporated.
Annex A (normative) – Information to be supplied – An important sentence has been added to A.2– Additional information for provision by the purchaser, which states that ‘an indication of any ancillary elements within the article that must be considered as part of the significant surfaces from which reference areas might be taken (e.g. if the ancillary elements are safety critical).’ This is to account for the default procedure of not taking coating thickness measurements on ancillary components.
Annex B (normative) – Safety and process requirements – Venting and Drainage of Articles – Verification has been incorporated into this Annex that states the work presented for galvanizing should be in accordance with ‘either the guidance given in ISO 14713-2 or any further specific guidance for the articles to be processed that may arise from consultations with the galvanizer, or both.’
Annex C (informative) – Renovation of uncoated or damaged areas – Annex C contains considerably more guidance on the requirements for a zinc-containing paint used for repair than the previous version (Annex C.1 – Zinc-containing paints). See new guidance below.
‘A dry paint film that is capable of conducting electricity and which is in electrical contact with the basis metal will ensure that sacrificial protection is provided.
Other things being equal, sacrificial protection increases with increases in metallic zinc content in the dried film but does not increase further above approximately 94% by weight of zinc for paints containing zinc dust. However, other factors can be important.
A zinc-containing paint with a zinc dust content that is equal to or greater than 80% by mass in the dry film can be considered suitable for renovation of uncoated or damaged areas. Conformity of the zinc dust pigment, within a zinc-containing paint, with ISO 3549 is a further indication of suitability.
Zinc-containing paints based on lamellar shaped, rather than spherical, zinc particles may achieve adequate protection at lower contents of zinc in the dry film than for zinc dust paints with spherical particles.
Zinc-containing paints may also include an aluminium content for aesthetic purposes.’
Annex D (informative) – Determination of thickness – No significant changes.
Annex E (informative) – Corrosion resistance of galvanized coatings – Annex E has been updated to include supplementary information regarding the long-term, steady-state zinc corrosion rates given in ISO 9224 ‘Corrosion of metals and alloys — Corrosivity of atmospheres — Guiding values for the corrosivity categories.’ This is in appreciation that ISO 14713-1 ‘Zinc coatings — Guidelines and recommendations for the protection against corrosion of iron and steel in structures — Part 1: General principles of design and corrosion resistance’ provides first year exposure corrosion rate data and is therefore conservative guidance.
Further information and support
If you have any queries regarding the updated standard, please contact the Joseph Ash Galvanizing Technical Team
You can also contact the Galvanizers Association Technical Department regarding the updated standard or its interpretation. Call their free Service Line on telephone: 0121 355 8838 or email Dr Desmond Makepeace at d.makepeace@hdg.org.uk.
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The Structural Steel Design Awards (SSDA) recently took place in London. The event is a celebration of the best steel construction in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, where the judges award companies and individuals who demonstrate steel’s potential regarding sustainability, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetics.
The winners of this year’s awards are:
1 Triton Square, London
Architect – Arup Associates
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – William Hare
Main contractor – Lendlease
Client – British Land
Bombardier Maintenance Hangar, Biggin Hill
Architect – Civils Contracting Ltd
Structural engineer – REIDsteel
Steelwork contractor – REIDsteel
Main contractor – Civils Contracting Ltd
Client – Biggin Hill Airport Development Ltd
Tower of Light, Manchester
Architect – Tonkin Liu
Structural engineer – Arup
Main contractor – Vital Energi
Client – Manchester City Council
Lords Cricket Ground, Compton & Edrich Stand Redevelopment
Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – ISG Construction
Client – Marylebone Cricket Club
Esperence Bridge, King’s Cross, London
Architect – Moxon Architects
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – S H Structures Ltd
Main contractor – Galldris
Client – Argent
Commendations went to:
One Braham Place, London
Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – McLaughlin & Harvey
Client – Aldgate Developments
Central Atrium Hilltop, RHS Wisley
Architect – WilkinsonEyre
Structural engineer – Michael Barclay Partnership LLP
Steelwork contractor – Hillcrest Structural Ltd
Main contractor – Osborne Ltd
Client – Royal Horticultural Society
Fire Station Auditorium, Sunderland
Architect – Flanagan Lawrence, Howarth Litchfield
Structural engineer – JC Consulting
Steelwork contractor – Brims Construction Ltd
Client – The Sunderland Music, Arts & Culture Trust
One Crown Place, London
Architect – KPF
Structural engineer – AKT II
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Mace
Client – AlloyMtd
Brittania Leisure Centre, Hackney, London
Architect – Faulknerbrowns Architects
Structural engineer – Buro Happold
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Morgan Sindall Construction
Client – Hackney Council
Assembly Bristol Building A
Architect – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Structural engineer – Arup
Steelwork contractor – Severfield
Main contractor – Galliford Try
Client – Bell Hammer
Merits went to:
Hydro Ness, Inverness
Architect – Leslie Hutt Architect
Structural engineer – Hasson Engineering Solutions
Steelwork contractor – M. Hasson and Sons Ltd
Main contractor – Bradley and Company, Hydro NI
Client – Highland Council
LCT 7074 Canopy, The D-Day Story, Portsmouth
Architect – Pritchard Architecture
Structural engineer – Mann Williams
Steelwork contractor – Hillcrest Structural Ltd
Main contractor – Ascia Construction Ltd
Client – The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth City Council
Houlton School, Rugby
Architect – Van Heyningen and Haward Architects
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Steelwork contractor – Mifflin Construction Ltd
Main contractor – Morgan Sindall Construction
Client – Urban & Civic plc
Pace Gallery, Hanover Square, London
Architect – Jamie Fobert Architects
Structural engineer – Price & Myers
Main contractor – QOB Interiors
Client – Pace Gallery
The Structural Steel Design Awards are sponsored by the British Constructional Steelwork Association and Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd.
To take part in next year’s awards, submit your entries by Friday 24 February 2023.
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We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Widnes Galvanising Ltd by Joseph Ash Ltd.
Founded over 20 years ago, Widnes Galvanising has been an independent hot dip galvanizer in the northwest. It is the perfect match for Joseph Ash Limited. Not only do we share similar values – including a mission to provide the very best customer service – but we’re now able to broaden our geographic coverage into Cheshire to service customers in Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and beyond.
The acquisition is also good news for Widnes Galvanising customers, who will benefit from the additional services Joseph Ash Limited provides. For example, extra transport and storage, spin galvanizing, and powder coating.
Our new colleagues from Widnes will also benefit as they will be able to capitalise on the opportunities that being part of a larger group brings, such as career progression, training, and learning new skills.
Stuart Whitehouse, Managing Director of Joseph Ash Limited, said: “Widnes Galvanising is a welcome addition to our Joseph Ash family, and we are thrilled to have them onboard. The acquisition has been smooth, ensuring a seamless transition for the future. While initially trading as a subsidiary company, Widnes will share and exchange technology and expertise with our eight other plants.”
Whitehouse continues, “The acquisition is a wonderful opportunity for all parties involved: the existing Joseph Ash team, our new colleagues from Widnes, our suppliers and customers.”
Further announcements about the acquisition will be made in due course.
For more information, please contact our Head Office on 0121 504 2573.
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Welcome to our monthly newsletter, the September 2022 edition.
This month we’re talking park protection at Trecco Bay, upcoming events,
statues and superheroes.
To read a copy click here.
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At the beginning of the month, our colleague, Rebecca Lee from Joseph Ash Chesterfield, witnessed a road traffic accident where a young child was severely hurt and stopped breathing. As Health and Safety Manager at Joseph Ash, Rebecca rushed over and used her training to swing into action. She administered CPR and saved the boy’s life.
Martin Hall, Divisional Manager at our Chesterfield plant, said: “Rebecca’s selfless actions not only saved the child but also changed the lives of countless others close to him. This will have repercussions for generations of his family to come. As a company, and as her colleagues, we are inspired by Rebecca and wish to celebrate her as our genuine hero.”
Well done, Rebecca! We couldn’t be more proud.
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On Monday 19 September 2022 – when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral takes place – all Joseph Ash Group plants will be closed for the day.
We do this as a mark of respect for the Queen’s long and glorious reign and to allow our colleagues time to commemorate her service and dedication to the nation and the Commonwealth.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with the Royal Family at this sad time.
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Throughout July and August, families flocked to resorts in the UK for much-needed rest and relaxation. A popular holiday park in Wales is Trecco Bay. Before the Summer began, Metafab Solutions and Joseph Ash Walsall visited the resort to create a new and exciting space for the holidaymakers.
Trecco Bay in Porthcawl is run by Park Dean Resorts – the UK’s largest holiday park operator – which owns and operates 66 holiday parks. Over the last few years, they have been reinvesting heavily into their parks to improve facilities and accommodation.
The Trecco Bay resort has been the biggest beneficiary of the reinvestment programme – £3.6m – as Park Dean seeks to make it one of their ‘Parks of the future’.
As part of the makeover, Park Dean engaged NBDA Architects – based in Bollington, Cheshire – to design a new, unique space to protect holidaymakers from the weather whilst enjoying the resort’s entertainment and eating areas.
The space is a covered canopy supported by steel struts, including amusements, a bar, giant TV screens, seating areas and coffee shops.
MetaFab Solutions, based in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, is a steel fabricator and welder specialising in the fabrication of bespoke steelwork. They fabricated the steel frame for NBDA Architects and Park Dean.
Fabric Architecture, who specialise in tensile fabric structures, worked with NBDA to design the structure and supply and fit the tensile fabric canopy.
Michael Chung – Projects Director at Metafab Solutions – said, “It was a huge project requiring 60 tonnes of steel for the 64m long, 106m high and 24.6m wide new structure.”
Just as MetaFab Solutions has protected the holidaymakers from inclement weather, Joseph Ash Walsall has also safeguarded the steel.
MetaFab Solutions chose Joseph Ash Walsall to hot dip galvanize the steel, providing a long-life, low-maintenance, corrosion protection to safeguard it from rust.
MetaFab Solutions also chose Joseph Ash Walsall because we provide a hassle-free collection and delivery service for steel.
Paul Hudson – at Joseph Ash Walsall – said, “The new space at Trecco Bay was a great project to work on, especially as we know lots of holidaymakers will enjoy it for years to come.”
Next pageSave the date for Thursday 20 October 2022
In conjunction with the Galvanizers Association, we’ll be hosting Open Days at some of our Joseph Ash Galvanizing and Premier Galvanizing plants.
Would you like to attend to see how our plants operate? If so, book a tour today.
- Watch how steel is dipped into zinc in the galvanizing baths to protect it from rust and corrosion
- Find out about the sustainability of galvanized steel and how it fits into the circular economy
- Meet our team members and ask any questions you have about hot dip galvanizing, shot blasting, powder coating and steel protection.
- Talk to our technical teams for advice on designing steel for galvanizing.
The plants taking part include:
Joseph Ash Chesterfield
Premier Galvanizing Hull
Joseph Ash Telford
Please get in touch if you’d like more information.
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Welcome to our monthly newsletter, the August 2022 edition.
This month we’re celebrating long-time service for our colleague Kevin Hilden, re-accreditation for F4N, and safe deliveries for all visitors to our plants.
We’re also wishing the shortlisted SSDA 2022 projects good luck for next month’s award ceremony, and we’d love to invite you to the UK Metals Expo at The N.E.C.
To read a copy click here.
To receive a copy of the newsletter in your inbox each month please
subscribe.
Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and look for the ‘Newsletter
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Congratulations to our colleague Kevin Hilden (pictured on the right) who has reached 25 years service with Joseph Ash!
Kevin has worked at our Medway plant since July 1997, and has been a valuable part of the team.
Kevin started in the powder coating department as a finished goods packer, before moving to a line loading position where he kept the work lined up to be sprayed. For the last five years Kevin has been a wirer, wiring up steel at the start of the galvanizing process.
Michael Dane (pictured right) has been Kevin’s foreman for the last 10 years.
If you’re interested in a career at Joseph Ash Galvanizing, please get in touch with us.
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