Steel Industry Under Scrutiny

Discussions are ongoing to ascertain claims of substandard steel manufactured in the country.

The comment from Ministry of Trade permanent secretary Shaheen Ali followed a letter of concern from Engineers Fiji to the Government, which also recommended the way forward for improved quality of steel mesh reinforcement.

“The (Ministry of Trade) Standards team are meeting with and having ongoing dialogue with Engineers Fiji and also the manufacturer (in question) to ascertain the technical information, which will be verified,” Mr Ali said.

“The minister will be updated, and recommendations would be made to ensure Fiji standards are compiled with.”

Dated July 31 and signed by civil and structural engineer Krishmal Dutt and Engineers Fiji president, Terence Erasito, the letter is a response to a ministerial request for industry comments about including Ø6.3mm Grade 500L steel mesh reinforcement in Fiji’s trade standards.

“An amendment to the Trade Standards for the inclusion of Ø6.3mm Grade 500L steel mesh reinforcement is not required,” Engineers Fiji said after its industry inquiry.

But recommendation aside, it is the responsibility of the engineer to assess project-specific requirements and make informed decisions on the type of mesh reinforcement on a project basis, Engineers Fiji said.

“Engineers Fiji recommends the natural phasing out of the traditional mesh, without enforcement via a legislation.”

Engineers Fiji visited various steel manufacturers in the country for firsthand experience and appreciation of processes involved in the making of steel mesh reinforcement.

“The purpose of the visits was to understand details of operations, quality control measures and local products,” the letter said.

The visits established: 

• a lack of independent quality control to confirm that manufacturers consistently comply with AS/NZS 4671,  non-compliance of mechanical properties during a demonstration test one of two facilities,
• a variation in the type of steel mesh reinforcement manufactured locally.

The recommendations that ensued from Engineers Fiji were designed as a way forward for the industry and local manufacturers alike.

It also served to contain the associated dangers in using and exporting mesh reinforcements.

This, as one manufacturer claimed to maintain a certification standard recognised by Fiji’s big brother, Australia.

An investigation is expected to determine the cause of the collapse of a retaining wall at this construction site at Ratu Dovi Road, Laucala Beach Suva. The walled collapsed in recent days following rainy weather.

WHY 

The upgrade of mesh types from 2001 to 2019 is justified, says Engineers Fiji.

Fiji is in a seismic zone where steel ductility is advisable.

“Ductility Class E (i.e. seismic ductility) mesh is made readily available for utilisation in Fiji,” Engineers Fiji said.

“The structural mesh types available in New Zealand have a ductility Class E (i.e. seismic ductility) whilst non-structural mesh types have a Ductility Class L (i.e. low ductility).”

New Zealand Building Code Clause B1 Structure (first edition, incorporating amendment 21) has the following requirements for steel reinforcement for slabs-on-ground:

For structures complying with NZS 4229 Concrete masonry buildings not requiring specific engineering design, slabs-on-ground are required to have Grade 500E mesh reinforcement.

For structures complying with NZS 3604 Timberframed buildings, slabs-on-ground are required to have Ductility Class E mesh reinforcement.

Implementing Ductility Class E for mesh reinforcement would require implementation of a material that the industry is familiar with.

MEANWHILE 

Amid growing industry concerns, SunBiz established that one manufacturer who was mentioned in an industry report, had launched a media campaign promoting its steel production.

The same steel manufacturer is behind efforts to remove derelict vessels from the Suva harbour as a business opportunity, and without a formal contract.

The Government has however reiterated that any change to the company’s media campaign hinged on recommendations that would be made to Trade minister, Manoa Kamikamica.

Mr Kamikamica did not respond to queries from this newspaper.

His ministry said recommendations would be made to the minister on the way forward about the running advertisements.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fJ