The backbone of quality and safety, our commitment to British Standard
At Anchorbloc™, quality and safety aren’t just priorities, they’re principles that guide every aspect of our work. Central to this commitment are the British Standard Codes of Practice, which serve as the backbone of our processes for designing, building, and dismantling temporary works.
Our designers and site personnel strictly adhere to these codes, ensuring the creation of safe and robust designs. This structured approach not only enhances worker safety and structural integrity but also provides our clients with the assurance that they are receiving the best possible temporary structures at great value.
Widely adopted by engineers and designers, these standards form a crucial framework for structural design. They define stringent performance and design requirements, establishing best practices that help prevent accidents and injuries. Comprehensive in scope, these standards ensure that temporary structures are safe, stable, and effective throughout their lifecycle.
Below, we provide an overview of the current standards that shape and guide our work at Anchorbloc:
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Overview of BS 3837:1986 - Specification for the Construction and Erection of Hoardings
BS 3837:1986 is a British Standard that provides the specification for the construction and erection of hoardings. Hoardings are temporary barriers or fences used around construction sites or other areas under development to ensure safety, control access, and protect the public from construction activities. This standard outlines the key requirements for the design, materials, and structural integrity of hoardings to ensure they are secure, stable, and effective.
Key points covered in the standard include:
1. Design Requirements: The standard specifies the design parameters for hoardings, including considerations for wind loads, stability, and the materials used in their construction. The design must account for factors such as height, weight, and the environmental conditions at the site.
2. Materials and Construction: It provides guidelines for the appropriate materials to be used, ensuring that hoardings are robust and durable. It also defines the construction methods and assembly processes to guarantee that hoardings are correctly erected to maintain safety standards.
3. Safety and Stability: Emphasis is placed on the stability of the hoarding structure to prevent collapse or damage, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The standard also outlines the necessary safety features, including secure fixing and maintenance protocols.
4. Maintenance and Inspection: BS 3837:1986 recommends regular inspections to ensure hoardings remain in good condition and secure throughout the duration of their use. It also suggests that any damaged or unstable sections be promptly repaired to avoid risks.
5. Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The standard advises compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements concerning public safety and construction site management.
Overall, BS 3837:1986 serves as a comprehensive guide to constructing and maintaining safe, stable, and effective hoardings, helping to protect both the public and construction workers from potential hazards associated with construction activities.
Overview of BS 5975-1:2024 Temporary Works
BS 5975-1:2024 is the latest version of the British Standard that provides guidance for the planning, design, and execution of temporary works in construction projects. Temporary works are those structures or systems used for a limited duration during the construction process but are not part of the final permanent structure. Examples include scaffolding, formwork, shoring, and falsework.
The 2024 revision of BS 5975-1 outlines the best practices, technical requirements, and safety standards for managing temporary works to ensure they are designed, constructed, and dismantled safely and efficiently. It is an essential resource for professionals involved in the planning, design, and management of temporary works.
Key Areas Covered by BS 5975-1:2024:
General Principles:
Defines the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in temporary works (e.g., designers, contractors, temporary works coordinators, etc.).
Stipulates the need for a structured approach to the temporary works process, including assessment, approval, and monitoring procedures.
Design and Planning:
Provides detailed guidance on the design and engineering of temporary works.
Emphasizes the importance of considering factors such as load-bearing capacity, stability, and safety during the design process.
Requires appropriate checks and verification of designs by qualified personnel.
Coordination and Communication:
Emphasizes the need for clear communication and coordination between all parties involved, including temporary works coordinators, designers, and site supervisors.
Ensures the correct implementation of the temporary works process on-site.
Safety and Risk Management:
Introduces a risk-based approach to ensure the safety of workers and the integrity of the temporary works.
Specifies that the temporary works should be regularly inspected and maintained to minimize risks during construction.
Outlines safety protocols for both the design and execution phases, addressing potential hazards and implementing mitigation strategies.
Construction and Monitoring:
Provides procedures for monitoring the temporary works during the construction phase to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.
Details the processes for identifying and addressing any issues that arise during installation, use, and dismantling of temporary works.
Dismantling and Removal:
Covers the dismantling and safe removal of temporary works once they are no longer needed, ensuring that the process does not endanger workers or the integrity of other structures.
Documentation and Records:
Specifies the need for comprehensive records to document the design, approval, construction, and maintenance of temporary works throughout the project lifecycle.
Stresses the importance of maintaining detailed, up-to-date documentation for compliance and auditing purposes.
Importance of BS 5975-1:2024:
Safety: It ensures that temporary works are designed and managed to meet safety standards, reducing the risk of accidents on site.
Quality and Efficiency: By following the standard, construction projects can achieve higher quality temporary works with reduced delays and cost overruns.
Legal Compliance: Adherence to BS 5975-1:2024 helps to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, potentially reducing liability risks for the parties involved.
Consistent Practices: It promotes consistency in the design, execution, and management of temporary works, benefiting all stakeholders.
Conclusion:
BS 5975-1:2024 is an essential guide for the temporary works process, providing a structured framework for the safe and efficient planning, design, construction, and removal of temporary structures on construction sites. Its adoption promotes safety, quality, and compliance, ensuring that temporary works contribute positively to the success of the overall construction project.
Overview of BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 (Eurocode 1) – Actions on Structures – Part 1-4: General Actions – Wind Actions
BS EN 1991-1-4:2005, commonly referred to as Eurocode 1, Part 1-4, provides guidelines for the design and analysis of wind actions on structures. It is a key part of the Eurocode series, which offers a unified approach to structural design across Europe. This particular part focuses on the wind loads that can act on buildings and other structures, ensuring safety and stability in varying wind conditions.
The document covers a range of topics related to wind actions, including:
1. Basic Principles: It introduces the concept of wind as a dynamic load and the factors that influence wind pressure on structures, such as terrain, building height, and exposure. The code uses probabilistic methods to account for the variability of wind speed and direction.
2. Wind Speed and Pressure: BS EN 1991-1-4 provides procedures for calculating the wind speed at different heights and locations, including considerations for geographical factors and topography. It also defines wind pressure coefficients that account for the shape, size, and orientation of the structure.
3. Load Combinations: The standard details how to combine wind loads with other actions (e.g., dead loads, live loads) in the design of structures, ensuring that all potential loading scenarios are considered for safety.
4. Wind Load on Different Types of Structures: The document provides specific guidelines for different structural types, including buildings, bridges, and other civil engineering works. It takes into account factors like the flexibility of the structure, the building's aerodynamic properties, and the local wind climate.
5. Wind Actions for Structural Safety: It emphasizes the need for structural elements to be designed to resist wind-induced forces, considering factors like dynamic effects (due to gusts or turbulence) and the possible influence of wind on structural serviceability.
The standard’s primary goal is to ensure that structures are designed to withstand the varying forces exerted by the wind throughout their lifespan. The methodologies outlined in BS EN 1991-1-4 provide a comprehensive approach to wind load assessment, improving the safety, durability, and functionality of structures in wind-prone areas.
BS EN 1991-1-4 is widely adopted by engineers and designers in the UK and across Europe and forms a crucial part of the regulatory framework for structural design.
At Anchorbloc, our unwavering commitment to quality and safety underpins everything we do. By adhering to British Standard Codes of Practice, including BS 5975:2019 and other relevant standards, we ensure that our temporary works are not only robust and reliable but also designed with the highest regard for safety and efficiency. These standards provide a clear framework that guides our teams in delivering exceptional value to our clients while minimising risks on site. Contact us for more information.