Steel Tube Institute Announces HSS Product Certification Program
11/05/2010 - The Steel Tube Institute of North America is establishing an industry-wide, structural steel tubing (HSS) Product Certification Program designed to provide assurance that certified tubing has been produced to, and tested to meet, ASTM standards.
The Steel Tube Institute of North America (STINA) is establishing an industry-wide, structural steel tubing (HSS) Product Certification Program. Once established, the program will provide assurance that STINA-certified tubing has been produced to, and tested to meet, ASTM standards.
"Right now it's virtually impossible to track the chain of supply of structural steel tubing (HSS)," said Bill Wolfe, STINA's Executive director. “It may be produced anywhere in the world, then travel through a series of distribution channels before it reaches the job site. In addition, the documentation and standards have historically been self-certified.”
Wolfe explained that the Steel Tube Institute of North America, and its HSS producers, created the system to authenticate and certify the testing procedures and documentation that accompany the product. The Institute’s HSS members wanted to assure their customers that the HSS they were specifying and buying was indeed made to the ASTM standards they expected.
The result was the formation of a partnership between Steel Tube Institute and Intertek, one of the world's largest product testing and certification companies. In addition to helping to develop the criteria and procedures for the program, Intertek also will administer the evaluation and product testing required for producing companies to earn certification.
For each participating company, the certification process will include an engineering evaluation of that company's manufacturing locations. In addition, Intertek will test sample tubes that have been produced at the company's mills. The participating company would receive certification after it successfully completes Intertek's initial assessment of its facilities and product testing.
Once a company receives Production Certification, Intertek will visit each of their facilities twice a year to review receiving records of steel coils, production processes, post-production test reports and to obtain samples of manufactured tubes for testing.
While an exact timetable for certification is not yet available, testing by Intertek of STINA's member companies is expected to begin in December.
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world through its network of more than 1000 laboratories and offices and over 26,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.
The Steel Tube Institute of North America was formed in 1930 when a group of manufacturers joined forces to promote and market steel tubing. Their goal was to mount a cooperative effort that would improve manufacturing techniques and inform customers about their products' utility, versatility and competitive advantages. This, along with providing a forum for the discussion of issues impacting the industry, remains the basic motivation for the Institute's efforts.
Membership comprises both of Active Members — producers of steel tube and pipe — and Associate Members — companies that supply raw materials, equipment and support services.
