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Quality Standards, Steel Specifications and Accreditations

Quality, environmental and health & safety standards are of paramount importance to Tomrods. We outline our standards and policies below.

Should you wish for any further information contact us on +44 (0)1845 528 200

Steel Standards

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Steel standards are systems for classifying, evaluating and specifying the chemical, mechanical and metallurgical properties of different types of steels and ferrous alloys that are used in the production of components, machinery and constructions. Steels are classified by a large variety of criteria such as:

Composition e.g. carbon, low-alloy, or stainless steel; method of manufacturing such as open hearth, basic oxygen process, or electric arc furnace methods; finishing method such as hot rolling, cold rolling and various surface finishing and plating techniques; product form e.g. bar, wire, plate, sheet, strip, tubing or structural shape; deoxidation practice such as killed, semi-killed, capped or rimmed steel; microstructure such as ferritic, pearlitic and martensitic and heat treatment such as annealing, quenching and tempering.

There are a number of classification and designation systems accepted and used worldwide, which are developed and standardised either nationally and internationally by Standard Development Organisations (SDOs) or by specific vertical industries or suppliers.

Some of the more frequently used steel standard and classification systems include:
AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) steel standards, which are traditionally used in the US and abroad.

EN (Euronorm), which is a harmonised system of metal and steel standards of European countries. Although it is accepted and effectively used in all European countries, “obsolete” national systems, such as German DIN, British BS, French AFNOR and Italian UNI are commonly used and often found in many documents and specifications.

Japanese JIS steel standards, which are widely used in Asia and Pacific regions. JIS steel specifications have also often been used as a base for other national systems such as Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese standards. Steel standards of newly industrial countries such as Chinese GB and YB, Indian IS and Brazilian NBR, although sometimes less developed and detailed, are increasingly being used due to global sourcing. The same applies for Russian GOST, which is practically the de facto standard for the whole Community of Independent States.

Symbols used in European Standards e.g. hot rolled products of structural steel BS EN 10025:2004:

  • S… Structural Steel
  • E… Engineering Steel
  • H… Hollow Steel
  • …JR.. Longitudinal Charpy V-notch impacts 27 J at +20°C
  • …JO.. Longitudinal Charpy V-notch impacts 27 J at 0°C
  • …J2.. Longitudinal Charpy V-notch impacts 27 J at -20°C
  • …K2.. Longitudinal Charpy V-notch impacts 40 J at -20°C
  • .235… Minimum yield strength (Reh) in MPa at 16mm
  • .275… Minimum yield strength (Reh) in MPa at 16mm
  • .355… Minimum yield strength (Reh) in MPa at 16mm

Test certification is not mandatory in BS EN 10025 and must be specified when ordering from Tomrods.

BS EN Standards

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NoPartYearContentDescriptionPrevious Standard/s
BS 4 1 2005 Structural Steel Sections Specifications for Hot Rolled Sections (RSJ, PFC, RSC,Ts(UB,) & Ts(UC)) BS 4-1:1993
BS 7668 2004 Specification for Weldable Structural Steel Hot finished Structural Hollow Sections in Weather Resistant Steels BS 7668:1994
BS EN 10025 1 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel General Technical Delivery Conditions BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10025 2 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel Technical Delivery Conditions for Non- alloy Structural Steel BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10025 3 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel Technical Delivery Conditions for Normalised Rolled Weldable Fine Grain Structural Steels BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10025 4 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel Technical Delivery Conditions for Thermomechanical Rolled Weldable Fine Grain Structural Steels BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10025 5 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel Technical Delivery Conditions for Structural Steels with Improved Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10025 6 2004 Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steel Technical Delivery Conditions for Flat Products of High Yield Strength Structural Steels in the Quenched and Tempered Condition BS EN 10025-1:1993, BS EN 10025:1990, BS EN 10113-1, 2, 3:1993, BS 4360:1986
BS EN 10027 1 2005 Designation System for Steels Steel Names BS EN 10027-1:1992
BS EN 10027 2 1992 Designation System for Steels Steel Numbers
BS EN 10029 1991 Hot Rolled Steel Plates, which are 3 mm Thick or Above Specification for Tolerances on Dimensions, Shape and Mass
BS EN 10034 1993 Structural Steel I and H Sections Tolerances on Shape and Dimensions (H and I, UB, UC, UBP)
BS EN 10056 1 1999 Specification for Structural Steel Equal and Unequal Angles Dimensions BS 4848-4:1972
BS EN 10056 2 1993 Specification for Structural Steel Equal and Unequal Angles Tolerances on Shape and Dimensions BS 4848-4:1972
BS EN 10067 1997 Tolerances on Dimensions, Shape and Mass Hot Rolled Bulb Flats BS 4848-5:1980
BS EN 10079 2007 Definition of Steel Products BS EN 10079:1993
BS EN 10210 1 2006 Hot finished Structural Hollow Section of Non-alloy and Fine Grain Steels Technical Delivery Requirements BS EN 10219-1:1997, BS 4848-2:1991
BS EN 10210 2 2006 Hot finished Structural Hollow Section of Non-alloy and Fine Grain Steels Tolerances, Dimensions and Sectional Properties BS EN 10219-1:1997, BS 4848-2:1991
BS EN 10219 1 2006 Cold Formed Welded Structural Hollow Sections of Non-alloy and Fine Grain Steels Technical Delivery Requirements BS EN 10219-1:1997
BS EN 10219 2 2006 Cold Formed Welded Structural Hollow Sections of Non-alloy and Fine Grain Steels Tolerances, Dimensions and Sectional Properties BS EN 10219-2:1997
BS EN 10225 2001 Weldable Structural Steels for Offshore Structures Technical Delivery Conditions

Environmental Policy

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Tomrods Ltd operates as a general steel trading business with the added service of offering a large range of stocks for sale and delivery within 24 hours from the time of order receipt.

As we are not directly involved in the manufacture of the steel, the environmental impact of our activity is minimal. However, we are acutely aware of the processes involved in steel making and therefore have a strong policy to mitigate any supply chain environmental impact.

It is the Company’s policy to supply and deliver its products in a manner that minimises the impact on the environment where practicable.

The Company considers that matters regarding the environment are an objective to be shared by all employees, suppliers and customers of the Company and it regards environmental issues as being of equal value to Quality, Health and Safety, or any other business objective.

It is the Company’s policy to implement systems for continuous improvement in all fields of operation and these will be integrated into all management functions.

Tomrods Ltd recognises that to have a planned approach to the prevention and reduction of waste and pollution leads to a long term reduction of costs.

Tomrods Ltd will control its activities to avoid unnecessary and unacceptable risks or adverse effects on the environment, in line with the requirements of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Environmental awareness and individual responsibility will be developed amongst employees at all levels and effective consultation will be encouraged. The Company will develop and improve standards by making use of available technology and developments, together with waste recovery and a recycle approach. Plant, vehicles and equipment will be maintained and operated to provide maximum environmental protection as far as is practical.

Clients, employees and the general public who may be affected will be made aware of any Company activity that may affect the environment.

Environmental Action

Management will take individual responsibility to ensure that environmental issues are considered when making decisions and when planning or controlling works. This includes the minimisation of transport usage by having materials delivered from the nearest producer to our sites.

Workforce

All employees must recognise their individual responsibilities for carrying out their works in a sympathetic manner with respect to the environment.

Waste Reduction

All employees must give careful consideration to the elimination and reduction of waste.

Where recycling or re-use of a material is an economical advantage this will be considered.

Health & Safety Policy

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Tomrods Ltd is committed to pursuing excellence in everything it does and this includes the management of health & safety.

Tomrods Ltd will take all reasonably practicable precautions to ensure the Health & Safety at work of its employees whether at the Company premises or when carrying out its business elsewhere and also recognises that a duty of care extends to other persons whilst they are on Company premises.

The responsibility for safety at work belongs to all Company employees be they upper management, junior management or operatives and to employees of contractors variously employed. The Company through its employees also accepts responsibility for the Health & Safety of others affected by its actions.

To achieve these aims the Company will:

  • Provide a safe working environment in the operation and maintenance of all equipment, and facilities.
  • Establish safe systems of work.
  • Ensure that all persons are competent to perform the duties expected of them.
  • Provide information, instruction, training, and supervision where appropriate.
  • Co-operate with their clients, employees, sub-contractors and others with an interest in Health & Safety.
  • Determine safe arrangements for the use, handling, storage, and transportation of articles and substances.
  • Provide a safe place of work including access to it and egress from it.

The Company expects employees to conform to this policy and with The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and to exercise all reasonable care for their own Health & Safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

This policy and the way it has operated will be reviewed annually to reflect any changes in the nature and size of the business or new or amended legislation.

The Company Directors have ultimate authority and responsibility in relation to all Health & Safety topics affecting The Company.

Quality & Sustainability

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Tomrods Ltd was established in 1973 and has unrivalled experience in the steel stockholding industry. We are a responsible and forward-thinking company, committed to quality and sustainability at all levels.

The Quality Policy of Tomrods Ltd is to achieve and maintain an excellent level of quality and service for all our work, which will be a guarantee to our customers that the product and services we provide will meet stipulated requirements. This provides the framework for and includes the establishment and review of quality objectives. It is essential therefore, that each member of staff, at all levels at Tomrods Ltd performs their tasks correctly, aware of our commitment to quality assurance and the fact that they are making a vital contribution.

Tomrods is ISO 9001:2015 and National Highway Sector Scheme 3B certified by SCCS a UKAS accredited certification body and is totally committed to providing its customers and suppliers with an outstanding service and an enjoyable working relationship. We actively involve all of our employees in assessing and refining the internal quality systems and take prompt action on what we learn from these.

You can download a copy of Tomrods’ ISO 9001:2015 and National Highway Sector Scheme 3B Quality Management System Certificate HERE

We also enjoy very close working relationships with both domestic and foreign mills and these supply partners have been carefully selected in order to provide the business with an advantageous ability to also supply quality products of a less commoditised nature. Material is only sourced from those steel mills that have the appropriate accreditation and certification standards and all material is thoroughly inspected at the time of receipt into our warehousing.

Attracting and retaining excellent employees is also vital for Tomrods’ sustainability. We value our employees and operate an equal opportunities recruitment, promotion, training and development programme. We also derive great pleasure in supporting local charities and good causes where appropriate. The Company ethos is one of continual improvement and customer support through all stages of the supply process. We are committed to being the preferred supplier in each of the markets we serve. To this end, our customers are our primary concern. We aim to not only satisfy them, but also to earn their loyalty through forming long-standing relationships. We will continue to develop processes for understanding their needs and expectations. We measure their perception of our services through regular customer satisfaction surveys.

By minimising pollution and waste; improving health and safety; and increasing our competitive edge; Tomrods Ltd has also established itself as a standard bearer for sustainability in our field.

Steel Grades Explained

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Steel Grades Explained

Mild Steel

Mild steel is the most common form of steel because its price is relatively low whilst it provides material properties that are acceptable for many applications. This steel usually contains less than 0.25% of carbon and insignificant amounts of alloying elements.

The material exhibits good weldability properties and is used in most general fabrication and structural steel applications.

In general we talk of two types of mild steel – bright and black:

  • Bright mild steel as its name suggests is shiny to look at with a clean and slightly oiled finish.
  • Black mild steel has a rougher, scaled finish that is dry to the touch.

High Yield Steels

High yield steel is another low carbon steel also typically containing less than 0.25% of carbon but the steel strength is increased through the addition of manganese and/or vanadium. This type of steel can also be further enhanced through small additions of molybdenum, niobium and titanium. This material again exhibits good weldability properties and is used in more demanding structural applications.

Carbon Steels

Carbon steels which can successfully undergo heat-treatment have a carbon content in the range of 0.30-1.70%. This type of steel is generally very strong with high levels of wear resistance. The steel is often used for hot forging/pressing components such as hand tools. Material in the higher band of carbon is also used for making high strength wires for applications such as spring steel.

Boron Steels

Boron steel is a grade of steel, which can be processed at high temperatures by heating it in a furnace and pressing whilst still hot, using a cooled tool. The rapid cooling rate transforms the microstructure to form a very hard, tough and durable steel. This type of steel is used to form wear parts and for other applications where exceptional strength and wearability properties are required.

Engineering Steels

Engineering steels, also known as Special Bar Quality steels, represents a wide variety of higher-quality carbon alloy and free cutting bars that are used in the forging, machining and cold-drawing industries for the production of automotive parts, hand tools, electric motor shafts and valves. These steels generally contain higher alloy content than the commodity grades and are produced with more precise dimensions and chemistry.