Safety Alert: Questions Raised on Chinese Steel Imports

The American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. (AISC), reports that, in recent months, a number of companies in the U.S. and Canada, including hollow metal structural sections (HSS) and steel service centers, have sponsored tests on HSS materials imported from China, as well as HSS materials produced in the U.S.

As a result of those tests, which were performed by independent third parties, the companies have raised some questions about the mechanical properties of the imported HSS, as well as the credibility and reliability of the documentation provided when the products were imported into the U.S. and Canada from some of the newer market sources.

AISC President Roget Ferch said, “AISC has not been involved in any of this HSS testing, nor have we reviewed the test data. We believe that it is premature to draw any conclusions from any of the tests that have been conducted.” It is also important to note that from the data provided to ASIC at this time, the Institute has not concluded that there is a building code issue.

The September 7th issue of the Kiplinger Business Resource Center points out that steel imports from China that fall apart easily are making U.S. manufacturers and construction firms “more than a little nervous.”

The biggest concern, Kiplinger associate editor Jim Ostroff writes, is “hollow structural sections widely used in the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, pipelines, office, commercial, and school buildings. This high strength steel is also commonly used in power lifts, cranes, farm equipment. furniture, and car trailer hitches.”

Chinese high-strength steel tubes and pipes are also, used in power plants, large industrial boilers and steel used for scaffolding parts are also potential problems, according to the report.

Both the U.S. and Canadian institutes of steel construction have advised their member companies to be vigilant and report any problems. Closer scrutiny of failures during initial fabrication and questions about certification documents are good practices to follow.

Standards for Testing and Rating Scaffold Assemblies Components are published by the American National Standards Institute as ANSI/SSFI SC100-5/05, a copy of which is available from the AGC Office, 842-1462.

Posted 10/22/07

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