Forcia attended the Circular Steel Conference in 2023 and again went this year as we found the conference informative. The range of panellists and topics that were discussed this year was broad and covered a wide spread of subjects.
The issue with older, lower-grade steel, like that from the 1980s, is that it typically doesn’t meet the specifications needed for modern architectural, structural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC) designs, which rely on the higher strength and precision of newer materials. Retrofitting or adapting designs late in the process can become costly and impractical.
To ensure a smooth transition when using reclaimed materials, it’s important to:
- Engage early with clients: Encourage clients to consider using recycled steel from the project’s inception. This allows the design team to make the necessary adjustments for material grade and availability.
- Evaluate material availability: Work with suppliers of reclaimed steel early on to assess what grades and sections are likely to be available. This can prevent delays later when trying to source material.
- Collaborate with engineers: Structural engineers need to be involved from the outset to assess if reclaimed materials can safely meet the project’s load and safety requirements, especially if retrofitting older steel sections.
There are a couple of reclaimed steel companies specialising in the supply of reclaimed members that can be used, though the supply and demand of these is something that can’t currently be guaranteed. Steel prices move as does the price of reclaimed material. Would clients place a deposit on beams if they knew the price would be coming down of going up in 6 months as how do these stockholders freeze prices on this basis.
Essentially material in the reclaimed market is what is on the shop floor on the day you’re looking for it.
Insurance companies are not concerned about the reuse of steel so long as it has a material passport that covers its material grade and specification. The reuse and processing of reclaimed beams is a significant problem for automated saw and drill lines that new stockholders and large fabricators use.
The existing features plates, angles, stiffeners, drilling on the reclaimed steel means that it becomes far more costly to manually employ skilled operatives to drill cut and deal with any holes in the members. Temporary works and the reuse of known steel members and the grades is something that works and Forcia currently use and needs to be explained to our TW design team prior to designs commence.
