AS/NZS 5131 sets the standard for steel construction in Australia and New Zealand.

It’s important that your business or team are fully compliant with the SCA AS/NZS 5131 standard to give you the best chance of being competitive in the structural steel industry. Australian Welding Solution’s inspection, quality systems, and compliance services can assist your business to become and maintain its SCA certification so you can:

Offer an even better service to your clients and customers
Be eligible to respond to tenders that require AS/NZS 5131 certification
Manage your businesses exposure to liability for project

Read on to find out more about the benefits of SCA certification as well as what AWS can do to help you achieve that goal.

Introduction to AS/NZS 5131

The original AS/NZS 5131 standard came into effect in December 2016 . AS/NZS 5131 forms the technical foundation for the NSSCS and is the basis for the audit of Steelwork Compliance Australia. A recent update to AS4100 – Steel Structures mandates that all fabrication, corrosion control, and erection of AS4100-related work must be completed in accordance with AS/NZS 5131. This means any AS4100 designated work needs to be carried out in accordance with AS/NZS 5131.

The standard is organised into Construction categories:

Construction Category 1.

Construction Category 2.

Medium structure, moderate consequence.
This might include commercial, residential and educational buildings not exceeding 15 storeys, hospitals, warehouses or industrial buildings.

Construction Category 3.

More complex, higher risk.
This might include bridges, structures designed for fatigue actions or as specifically required in authority construction specifications.

Construction Category 4.

The most complex, highest risk for example NZ seismic applications.

In Australia, the top position is typically CC3, however an engineer may choose an advanced design and specify CC4.

The requirements for CC4 are not fully defined in AS/NZS 5131. CC4 applies to unusual or special structures for which it is expected the requirements additional to those for CC3 will be defined at a project-specific level or by a particular organisation, agency or business.

Why should Your Business Be AS/NZS 5131 Certified?

In Australia and New Zealand, steel fabrication businesses are required to be AS/NZS 5131 certified in order to participate in projects. The certification indicates that you have invested in your business and that you care about safety and quality. For contractors who value compliance, having a certified structural steelwork shop on their team gives them peace of mind when it comes to a project’s safety performance.

In South Australia for example, AS/NZS 5131 is now mandatory for government-funded projects, so in order to be considered for these projects your business will need to be certified for AS/NZS 5131.

How do we become certified?

Becoming certified is dependent on the Construction Category that is appropriate for your business or project.

Category 1 certification involves:

• Completion of an online application at SCA Compliance website

Category 2-4 have more stringent certification requirements

• Completion of an online application at SCA Compliance website
• Undertake a Conformity Audit
  The Australian Steel Institute is in the process of creating a Conformity Assessment Framework (CAF) to work in parallel with AS/NZS 5131.

AWS Can Help You achieve AS/NZS 5131 certification

Australian Welding Solution’s inspection, quality systems, and compliance services can assist your business to become and maintain its SCA certification.
If you are considering AS/NZS 5131 certification contact us to discuss how we can assist your business through the journey to AS/NZS 5131 certification.