RIDBA Enrols as a Member of SCI

RIDBA (http://www.ridba.org.uk/) the Rural and Industrial Design and Building Association, has enrolled as a member of SCI as part of a drive to prepare the association’s members for CE marking in 2012.  Established in 1956 as the Farm Buildings Association (FBA) and later renamed the Rural Design and Building Association, RIDBA is the trade body representing suppliers of buildings to the agricultural sector.  While to many people, the term ‘agricultural’ might conjure up images of rustic barns, many modern agricultural buildings are indistinguishable, at least on the outside, from their industrial cousins (e.g. 30m span steel portal frames).  Indeed several RIDBA members also service the industrial sector.  Despite this, agricultural buildings sit outside the Building Regulations in England and Wales (although not in Scotland) and have their own Codes of Practice.  The procurement of agricultural buildings is also far removed from that in other sectors, with clients (farmers) often buying buildings directly from the supplier, with little or no structural design.  However, two important issues are set to disturb the rural tranquillity of the sector.

Firstly, BS 5502, the Code of Practice for agricultural buildings, is no longer being supported by the BSI.  Furthermore, Part 22 relies heavily on BS 5950 and BS 8110 for calculating the resistance of sections and verifying the adequacy of the design (BS 5502-22 essentially modifies the normal building codes to make them more applicable to agricultural buildings).  It is unclear how the introduction of the Eurocodes will impact on the design of agricultural buildings, but it is likely that BS 5502 will either have to be modified or replaced.  Secondly, the Construction Products Regulation, due to be introduced across Europe in 2012, will make CE Marking of construction products compulsory across the EU.  There is no exemption for agricultural buildings.

There are clearly challenges ahead for the sector and SCI is pleased to be able to help RIDBA and its members through the usual range of member benefits.

For further information, please contact:

Martin Heywood
Associate Director
Tel: +44(0)1344 636578
Email: m.heywood@steel-sci.com