Vol. 476 No. 6
35 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Finance the traceability procedures, if any, in place to ensure that all reinforced steel used in grant-aided buildings and structures complies with British standard 4449; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6527/97]
The specification used by the Office of Public Works engineering services branch, requires that all steel bar reinforcement provided for buildings for which the above branch of the Office of Public Works is the structural adviser, complies with BS 4449, and that all fabric reinforcement used in the same buildings complies with BS 4483. This specification also requires that manufacturers test certificates which certify that the reinforcement is of the required strength are to be provided to the engineer administering the relevant part of the construction contract as required by the engineer.
Contractors providing reinforcement for these buildings are required by their contracts with the Office of Public Works to comply with this specification.
The Office of Public Works have had discussions with CARES Organisation in the UK over the past 12 months with a view to incorporating traceability procedures in their specifications and contract documents.
