As the construction sector battles rising costs, the influx of cheaper, non-compliant grates presents a significant challenge for local manufacturers and regulators alike. Industry leaders note that this issue has persisted for nearly two decades.
In an open letter to industry and government calling for change, the Australian Industry (Ai) Group states that the national market for grates and access covers is valued at more than $60 million. It’s estimated that over 20 per cent of these products don’t satisfy basic specifications and requirements.
The letter (Industry Issues with the Compliance of Grates and Access Covers), from the peak national employer organisation that aims to empower businesses across multiple sectors through representation, also states that upfront costs for international and imported grates are trivial compared to the lifetime costs required to replace these non-compliant grates.
Tim Hockham, Product Development – R&S Grating (an Ai Group member) says the importation of cheaper and inferior products threatens to bring an end to the domestic production of an essential infrastructure component.
“The market really exploded in the early 2000s,” he says. “That’s when a whole heap of competition entered the market because it was suddenly so accessible to get grates and other products from overseas.
“It’s not just the fact that these products aren’t being made in Australia. You can manufacture high quality grates anywhere. The issue is the lack of adherence to the Australian Standard AS3996, the standard for Access Covers and Grates.”
Hockham says products that are slipping through the cracks often have vague references to the AS3996 standard – particularly the load and strength requirements of the standard, which defines appropriate applications for each load class.
This can include labelling products as ‘medium duty’ but supplying products that don’t meet the loading requirements of Class C ‘Medium Duty’ as defined by the standard.
Steve Skinner, National Sales and Business Development Manager – R&S Grating, says the industry has acknowledged there is an issue, but he’d like to see more action taken.
“The industry started to realise the extent of the problem, which is why there was a push in 2016 to update the standard,” he says. “Previously the standard hadn’t been updated since 2006, so there were some outdated aspects to the specifications.
“The Australian Standard is a robust document that was developed in consultation with industry leaders, peak government bodies and other interested parties. Among other things, it provides assurance to consumers that grates manufactured to the standard can be expected to last at least 50 years.
“The reality is that many products in the ground are garbage, but it’s still very tough for Australian manufacturers that are doing the right thing, complying with the standard and trying to compete.”
Hockham adds that in some cases, this is of no fault of the purchaser, but instead due to a lack of education in the sector.
“In the past decade or so there has been less enforcement, less regulation and less understanding of the standard,” he says. “There’s been a lot of confusion, and the waters have become quite muddied. As a result, the contractors that are purchasing these products tend to go for the cheapest option. And the cheapest option may not always comply with the standard.”
Hockham says R&S Grating routinely finds non-Australian Standard AS3996 products have been supplied into infrastructure projects, even though the plans for the jobs have indicated the products must be compliant.
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He says there are a few simple but important steps that inspectors, contractors and distributors can adopt to combat the growth of grates that don’t satisfy specifications.
“The simplest thing to do is always check the labelling,” he says. “If you don’t see the AS3996 standard inscribed, the manufacturer’s name, the class rating or the product weight, then by definition the grate isn’t an Australian standard product.
“Also make sure to ask for the test results, make them prove their product is compliant,” adds Skinner.
“I’ve seen instances where contractors have had to rip their grates out and reinstall new ones because they’ve purchased non-compliant products. Some of these grates failed within 12 months, whereas our products are designed, manufactured and tested to the standard, in other words they can be expected to do their job for at least 50 years.”
Non-compliant products also have the potential to waste taxpayer dollars, with significant delays and costs as a result of having to replace and remove faulty grates.
“It’s unfair on the contractor, it’s unfair on the taxpayer and it’s a waste of time and money for the regulator,” Skinner says.
Despite these challenges, R&S Grating has remained steadfast in its commitment to complying with the Australian standard.
“Since its introduction in 1992, AS3996 has been our guiding document, significantly enhancing the quality and safety of grates in Australia,” says Hockham. “Despite the rise in cheaper, non-compliant grates, we remain committed to supplying high-quality, compliant products.
“Competing with imported products is economically challenging, especially with many lacking AS3996 compliance. We take great pride in our 50 years of Australian manufacturing, which empowers us to innovate for the local market.
“We aim for a level playing field, competing with products that meet the same standards as ours. Improved regulation and enforcement would benefit both manufacturers and taxpayers, ensuring compliance with Australian standards.”
Ai Group’s open letter can be read at: https://cdn.aigroup.com.au/Standards/2024/Ai-Group-GAC.pdf
This article was originally published in the December edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.