In June 2018, Arcelor Mittal Construction Solutions became the first major reinforcing fabricator to be approved by CARES for welding of reinforcing steels to their new Technical Appendices 11 and 12. The new CARES requirements cover welding to the International Standard ISO 17660, and the guidance standard BS 8548:2017, and represent a significant change for the fabrication of welded reinforcement. Speaking of this achievement, AMCS’ Finbarr Lynch said:
“Achieving this approval is the culmination of a lot of work for the entire AMCS team, in terms of training, development and testing. We are delighted to be the first major fabricator approved by CARES to the new requirements, and to be able to offer our clients further confidence in our products with the assurance that we are working to the most up to date international standards.”
R-TECH Materials has worked closely with AMCS throughout the approval process. R-TECH’s Dr Tony Franks is acting as the Responsible Welding Coordinator for AMCS, meeting the requirements of BS 8548, and providing technical oversight of AMCS welding operations. R-TECH also trained AMCS staff to operate as Company Welding Coordinators, and has provided testing services for weld procedure and welder qualification. Tony Franks is enthusiastic about the project with AMCS:
“R-TECH Materials has within its consultancy and testing businesses, a full capability to assist companies going through the transition to the new CARES Appendices. It has been a pleasure to work with AMCS, and seeing their commitment to training and development.”
Speaking about R-TECH’s involvement in the project, Finbarr Lynch said:
“R-TECH’s ability to help in consultancy, training and testing has been invaluable to AMCS in achieving this approval. Their provision of ongoing technical support will help AMCS continue to ensure that we meet the highest standards for the quality of our welding operations.”
CARES have set a deadline of 31st December 2018, for reinforcement fabrication companies to upgrade their approval to the new Technical Appendices 11 and 12. After that deadline, the previous Technical Appendices, covering welding to BS 7123 are being withdrawn.
R-TECH Materials would be pleased to talk with any other companies about helping them through the transition of their welding approvals. For more information, please contact Tony Franks at tony.franks@r-techmaterials.com.