Eurocodes
The principal SCALE proformas have now been modified such that each proforma will allow design to the previous British Standard showing full workings displayed to the British Standard, or design to the new Eurocode with full working displayed to the Eurocode. The user can choose the code at the start of the proforma and alternate between codes as required. Both codes are being maintained in Scale because the period of co-existence may go on for some time.
In the main Scale menu the proformas marked with an (E) allow full workings to the Eurocodes and full workings to the BS, or are analytical and applicable to both. There are now over 300 proformas ready for the Eurocodes, see the Scale proformas page for an up-to-date list and sample output. We are working on the remainder of the proformas, which will be added to the update webpage throughout the year.
Although the current British Standards have been replaced by Eurocodes, there is now a period of co-existance, where the code to be used depends on agreement with the relevant technical approval authority.
In his introduction to the BSI Structural Eurocodes Companion (modified 02/03/09), Professor David Nethercot OBE FREng, Chairman IStructE Standing Committee on the Implementation of Eurocodes makes the following points:
4. Recognize that the transition period will, in reality, extend over a number of years, with elements of parallel application. 7. Remain sanguine and take a balanced view - be particularly cautious when reading claims of what 'must' be done; the climate within which structural engineering is practiced in the UK is far less prescriptive than some would have us believe.The following advice was given in January 2010 by the Communities.gov.uk website to the Heads of Building Control and Approved Inspectors (http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1454859.pdf).
REFERENCES IN APPROVED DOCUMENTSBuilding regulations are made for specific purposes, including the health and safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings, and energy conservation. The majority of the functional requirements of these regulations are set out in Parts A to P in Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2000. The Approved Documents which provide guidance on compliance with those requirements are named to correspond to the appropriate Part, e.g. Approved Document A provides guidance on compliance with Part A. Standards and technical approvals may be appropriate guidance as to compliance with the functional requirements to the extent that the content is related to those requirements. However standards and technical approvals may also address aspects of performance such as serviceability, and other matters which are not covered by the Building Regulations. When an Approved Document makes reference to a named standard, the relevant version of the standard is the one listed at the end of the publication. However, if this version has been revised or updated by the issuing standards body, the new version may be used as a source of guidance provided it continues to address the relevant requirements of the Regulations. UPDATING APPROVED DOCUMENTS
In September 2009 we announced a new approach for updating the Building Regulations and associated guidance. This included a commitment that, as far as possible, we would amend the Building Regulations no more than once every three years, and amend Parts normally no more than once every six years. As part of the review considering possible amendments for 2010, we have been evaluating Parts A (Structure) and C (Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture) and their Approved Documents. We are looking at these Parts together as they target similar building elements. The evaluation has identified a number of issues that Parts A and C will need to reflect, but the full implications of these issues will not become clear until later this year at the earliest, i.e. too late to inform changes in 2010. We have concluded, therefore, that we should continue our work reviewing Parts A and C, with a view to proposing appropriate changes for the next periodic amendment in 2013. We expect to be updating at that time the references in the Approved Documents that relate to structural design standards. However, we would not expect this rescheduling to affect or deter the take up of the new national standards (BS ENs), based on Eurocodes. We continue to work with industry including professional institutions and representative bodies, to assist as they prepare for this change to the British Standards.
The Approved Documents are available from http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/downloads. Part A (Structural Safety) 2010 still lists BS 6399, 5268, 5628, 8110 and 5950.