At a recent meeting, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) Board of Directors urged all CRSI producer members to revert to an inch-pound bar marking system for all sizes and grades of deformed reinforcing steel products. CRSI members produce more than 90% of domestic reinforcing steel.
The intention of this resolution is for all new rollings of reinforcing steel products to be marked with inch-pound bar markings no later than January 1st, 2014. Providing a 25-month phase in period should permit producer members sufficient time to re-tool finish roll inventory to the inch-pound marking system as rolls need to be replaced, significantly reducing or eliminating the need to unnecessarily cut new rolls to meet the resolution.
As the ASTM specifications for reinforcing steel products permit reinforcing bars to be marked in either soft metric, or inch-pound markings, existing inventory of soft metric bars can continue to be sold alongside inch-pound marked bars during and after the January 1st, 2014, phase-in target.
The intention of this resolution is to reduce confusion and the chance of errors or delays from the construction supply chain. CRSI members are strongly encouraged to revert to the inch-pound marking system for steel reinforcing bars as soon as practical to minimize any additional confusion to the supply chain of steel reinforcing bars.
This change is the result of several actions. The Federal Highway Administration no longer mandates metrification of federally funded road and bridge construction projects and all state Departments of Transportation no longer require materials to be specified and sourced in metric sizes/quantities. Additionally, a large majority of the non-governmental construction community never adopted metric measurements in their plans and specifications. The American Concrete Institute (ACI), through their Technical Activities Committee (TAC), has strongly encouraged CRSI members to mark reinforcing bars with traditional inch-pound size designations. ACI is the standards body within the United States responsible for developing the concrete building code. The concrete building code and other ACI documents reference the inch-pound size as the primary designation.
“It made logical sense for the industry to begin the process to move away from soft metric markings,” said Robert Risser, CRSI President. “None of our private or government customers are using metric plans or specifications any longer. The phase-in period will allow industry members to make the change over at minimal additional expense. CRSI is now in the process of making the appropriate changes to our manuals and literature.” BD+C
Related Stories
| Jun 13, 2012
Is it time to stop building convention centers?
Over the last 20 years, convention space in the United States has increased by 50%; since 2005, 44 new convention spaces have been planned or constructed in this country alone.
| Jun 13, 2012
Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute to hold energy asset conference for property owners, senior real estate managers
Top-level real estate professionals have been ignored as the industry has pushed to get sustainability measures in place.
| Jun 12, 2012
SAC Federal Credit Union selects LEO A DALY to design corporate headquarters
LEO A DALY also provided site selection, programming and master planning services for the project over the past year.
| Jun 12, 2012
Restoration Millwork exterior trim achieves GreenCircle certification
Made from cellular polyvinyl chloride, the full line of Restoration Millwork trim, beadboard and accessories is engineered to look, feel and work like top-grade lumber.
| Jun 12, 2012
Piché joins C.W. Driver as director of business development
Piché will expand upon project opportunities for firm’s Southern California operations.
| Jun 12, 2012
BCA Architects transforms Anaheim schools into dynamic learning environments
BCA Architects was selected to update the district's long-range master plan.
| Jun 11, 2012
Survey reveals emerging trends in parking
Industry-transforming innovations are changing the way we park.
| Jun 11, 2012
Buro Hapold hires new principal Neil Porto
Porto brings a broad depth of expertise in civil and structural engineering to new and existing projects.
| Jun 11, 2012
Historic church gains energy efficiency, retains aesthetics with architecturally rated windows
New windows would need to not only stand the test of time, but also accommodate the aesthetics of an architecturally historic church.
| Jun 11, 2012
Genivar and WSP Group join forces
Genivar concurrently announces a $225 million public bought deal of subscription receipts, a $197 million private placement of subscription receipts and new credit facilities.