ICE update on use of structural

engineering codes
Despite the introduction of Structural Eurocodes in 2005 some
structural civil engineers continue to use the withdrawn British
Standards. ICE explains the circumstnaces for how this may be
acceptable, but that Eurocodes do represent the future as
regards to safe and economic design and execution.

It is accepted practice to assess existing buildings using the codes to which they were originally
designed
 Updated: 07 February 2017
 Author: Adam Kirkup

The Structural Eurocodes (BS EN1990-1999) have been the UK's national standards since
2005. In 2010, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) required all conflicting
national standards to be withdrawn. In Britain's case, those included BS 5950, BS 8110, BS
5268, dealing with steelwork, concrete and timber respectively.

Withdrawn British Standards (BS) are no longer reviewed by BSI although they may remain
competent in their approach for a time, subject to the points made below.

Points to consider in the use of withdrawn

standards
It is apparent that:

 Accredited engineering degrees all work to the Eurocodes and graduates are schooled in the
'Eurocode approach'. Hence, young engineers do not have any knowledge or experience of
the withdrawn British standards and codes.
 Public Sector work, in the main, adopts Eurocodes as an EU requirement.
 Anecdotal evidence suggests that all large and medium sized design organisations now work
to Eurocodes.
 Anecdotal evidence suggests that many small and micro-sized design organisations/sole
traders still work to the withdrawn British standards.
 All on-going advice, research, improvement and guidance is directed towards the Eurocodes.

In addition Britain, via BSI, is fully engaged in the current programme of revising the
Eurocodes.

Building regulations
Compliance with Building Regulations is not dependent upon a specific code. As long as the
functional requirements are met, the design is satisfactory in this regard. For some buildings
there are no applicable codes e.g. cob structures.

Although the withdrawn British standards are no longer maintained, they may remain
acceptable for use (see para 5 et seq below). The choice of codes and standards is the
responsibility of the designer.
 Assessment of existing buildings
It is accepted practice to assess existing buildings using the codes to which they were
originally designed. Hence the withdrawn British standards and codes will continue to be
utilised in this respect, pending alternative suitable methods.

Use of withdrawn British Standards and

codes
ICE believes that the Eurocodes represent the future as regards safe and economic design
and execution. However, as has historically been the case (with BS 449 for example on the
introduction of BS 5950), there will be occasions when the on-going use of the withdrawn
British standards is acceptable, and the use of other standards ,. to cover areas of design not
encompassed by Eurocodes, will continue.

The choice of standards and codes is a matter for the designer having regard to the ability of
the standards and codes to deliver a safe and economic structure. The ICE's code of conduct
is relevant in this regard:

 "Rule 2 - …..Being competent means that members have ensured that their knowledge has
remained up to date, and has covered all relevant developments; in other words, members
must maintain structured programme of continuing professional development to improve and
update their technical knowledge."
 "Rule 5 - …. All members have a duty to improve and update technical knowledge, and to
keep abreast of relevant developments, including new or changed statutory provisions."[1]

Users of withdrawn design standards may also need to have regard to professional indemnity
(PI) requirements and their standards' compatibility with execution and material Euronorms,
adopted by fabricators, material suppliers and the like.

Mixing codes should be avoided apart from those (occasional) specific situations where there
is a real identifiable need and the designer has the necessary competence to understand the
implications. It should never be the norm.

Brexit and Eurocodes - the future

As BSI is a member of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Britain is obliged
to adopt the Eurocodes as its National Standards and to withdraw any conflicting National
Standards. All this has been done or adopted, and will continue.

CEN is independent of the EU itself. BSI intends to remain a member of CEN irrespective of
Brexit and its final format. Hence, it will not be able to publish British standards on a subject
already covered by a European standard.

Britain is fully engaged in the present Eurocode revision which aims to simplify, harmonise
and update the suite. Members of ICE and the other engineering institutions and BSI are
involved in this work with the clear intention that the revised codes will be adopted in due
course. There are a significant number of British experts chairing and participating in CEN/TC
250, the Structural Eurocodes technical committee, its subcommittees and working groups,
and the mandated M/515 project teams, placing Britain at the heart of the work programme
for the second generation of the Eurocodes.