Steel fabrication: quality begins before the paint
Sections, detailing, welds, drainage and corrosion protection work as one system.
The final colour is only the last stage. The service life of a metal structure is shaped by its design, its sections, its connections, its welds, the points where water can sit, and the anti-corrosion system.
use and expected loads,
geometry and stiffness,
anchoring,
exposure environment,
access for future maintenance.
Quality is decided before the paint goes on. EN ISO 5817 sets weld quality levels B, C and D — not a matter of appearance: pores and incomplete root penetration are where cracks and corrosion start. Before painting, the surface is cleaned to a defined degree to ISO 8501-1, blasting to Sa 2½ for instance; without that, the best paint flakes off. Sharp edges do not hold coating thickness and are rounded. For load-bearing steel members EN 1090-1 applies, with execution classes EXC1 to EXC4: a decorative railing and a load-bearing mezzanine are not in the same class.
Quality is decided before the coating
The welds. EN ISO 5817 defines quality levels for welds — B, C, D. It is not a question of looks: pores and incomplete roots are where cracks and corrosion start.
The preparation. Before coating, the surface is cleaned to a defined grade to ISO 8501-1 (for example blast cleaning to Sa 2½). Without it, the best coating flakes off.
The edges. Sharp edges do not hold coating thickness; they are rounded.
When structural steel carries CE marking
Load-bearing steel components fall under EN 1090-1, with execution classes EXC1 to EXC4 to EN 1090-2. The class follows from the consequences of a failure and sets how strict the checks are. A decorative railing and a load-bearing mezzanine are not in the same class.
