BUILDERS GUIDE TO

AUSTRALIAN STEEL SHEET

AND STRIP STANDARDS

TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-14

Rev 4, November 2003
This issue supersedes all previous issues
With growing consumer awareness of products Note: It is important to note that the
and their potential performance, it is becoming introduction and development of
increasingly important that manufacturers and ZINCALUME® zinc/aluminium alloy-coated
tradesmen adhere to those Australian standards steel sheet and strip has given a much
which relate to the products they use and their improved life to the above products.
installation. Consequently, BlueScope Steel Limited
recommends ZINCALUME® steel sheet be
Australian standards are compiled by
specified for these applications if a metallic-
committees of interested scientific, industrial
coated finish is desired. Exterior products
and government groups under the direction of
manufactured from COLORBOND®
Standards Australia. Copies of published
prepainted steel sheet or strip, besides
standards are available from their state offices.
being decorated in one of a number of
This technical bulletin sets out to explain the colours, have a superior outdoor
terminology of metallic-coated steel sheet and performance. For recommended finishes for
strip adopted in the standards in order to various environments, refer to Technical
simplify their interpretation and use. Bulletin TB-1a “Steel roofing products
selection guide” and/or TB-1b “Steel walling
There are two standards for the base steel products - selection guide”. Using the
sheet materials used in building trades: correct product in manufacturing building
AS 1397:2001 for zinc-coated and products is the responsibility of the
aluminium/zinc alloy-coated manufacturer or specifier.
steel sheet and,
AS 2728 for prepainted steel sheet. COATING CLASS
This term refers to the coating type, Z or AZ
Australian standards also cover other aspects of
(Zinc or Aluminium/Zinc) and the minimum
the trade with specifications for products
mass (weight) of coating per square metre of
manufactured from steel sheet materials and
steel sheet. Typical coatings are Z275 and
their installation. These are:
AZ150. these designations signify:
AS 2179 for metal rainwater goods.
for Z275
AS 2180 for selection and installation of
Z = Zinc
metal rainwater goods.
and 275 = 275 grams minimum of
AS 1445 for corrugated steel sheet, and
zinc per square metre, the
AS 1562 for design and installation of metal
total on both sides.
roofing.
for AZ150
AZ = Aluminium/Zinc
STEEL SHEET MATERIAL STANDARDS and 150 = 150 grams minimum of
AUSTRALIAN STANDARD 1397:2001 “STEEL aluminium/zinc alloy per
SHEET AND STRIP - HOT-DIPPED ZINC- square metre, the total on
COATED OR ALUMINIUM/ZINC-COATED” both sides.
All hot-dipped metallic-coated sheet and strip
produced by BlueScope Steel complies with MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
Australian Standard 1397:2001. The products in The guaranteed minimum yield strength is
this Standard include materials for a variety of specified by a number following the letter “G”.
building applications. These include: This indicates the mechanical properties of the
steel were obtained by inline heat treatment prior
ROOF CLADDING to hot-dip coating. Yield strength is the point to
ZINCALUME® AZ150 which steel can be stressed before it deforms
Zinc-coated Z450 (see note) permanently. Yield strength is expressed in
WALL CLADDING megapascals (MPa) and the higher the number,
ZINCALUME® AZ150 the greater the structural strength.
Zinc-coated Z275 (see note) For example: G250 is a structural grade with
RAINWATER ITEMS a minimum yield strength of
ZINCALUME® AZ150 250 megapascals,
Zinc-coated Z275 (see note) G300 is a slightly higher strength
grade ideal for roll-forming
G550 is a very high strength steel.
SUMMARY PRODUCT STANDARDS
Ideally, specifications should state: These are standards for finished goods made
from steel sheet materials:
1. the base steel thickness, eg, 0.60 mm
2. the minimum yield strength, eg, G300 AS 1445 for corrugated steel sheet, and
3. the coating class, eg, AZ150. AS 2179 for metal rainwater goods.
For example: Specification of the base steel sheet standard
and the product standard will ensure the
0.60 mm AZ150 for ZINCALUME®
correct material is used and that the finished
zinc/aluminium alloy-coated steel,
product is made to specified quality standards.
0.60 mm G300 Z450 zinc-coated steel.
INSTALLATION STANDARDS
IMPORTANT
These standards ensure a correctly manufactured
It is not sufficient to simply state whether the
steel sheet building product is fixed to a building
sheet should be zinc-coated or ZINCALUME®
in a specified manner. The standards are:
steel without being specific as to the coating
mass, ie, the protection required. AS 1562 for design and installation of metal
roofing, and
REMEMBER, THE SERVICE LIFE OF METALLIC-
AS 2180 for selection and installation of
COATED STEEL IS DEPENDENT ON THE
metal rainwater goods.
THICKNESS OF THE COATING AND NOT
THE THICKNESS OF THE STEEL BASE.
COATING TYPES AND THEIR
The base thickness of some building materials COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER METALS
is described as “BMT” - base metal thickness. Two basic coating types are generally in use in
Product thickness has been, in isolated building and allied industries – zinc
instances, nominated as “TCT” or Total Coated (galvanised steel) and zinc/aluminium alloy
thickness. This can be misleading and should (ZINCALUME® steel). BlueScope Steel
not be used in specifications. recommends that for all conditions involving
However, a measure of TCT can be used to atmospheric exposure, ie, roofing and walling,
indicate whether the specific base thickness accessories and rainwater items, ZINCALUME®
has been supplied. steel will provide the better long term
performance.
The following table provides the approximate
overall thickness (approximate TCT) for a Both coatings are affected adversely by run off
nominated base thickness. from or contact with copper. Uncoated lead
must not be used with ZINCALUME® steel
products.
ZINC-COATED Further information on acceptability of direct
ZINCALUME® Steel
STEEL
contact between various materials is given in
Approx Coating Base Coating Approx Australian Standard 2180.
TCT class thickness class TCT
mm mm mm Although compatible with respect to physical
contact, zinc coatings should not be used for
0.39 Z275 0.35 AZ150 0.40 rainwater goods and tanks where water from
0.46 Z275 0.42 AZ150 0.47 ZINCALUME® steel roof runs onto them (refer
0.54 Z275 0.50 AZ150 0.55 Technical Bulletin TB-15 “Recommended Steel
0.59 Z275 0.55 AZ150 0.60 Gutter Systems”)
0.67 Z450 0.60 AZ150 0.65
0.69 Z600 0.60 AZ200 0.66 HOW TO SPECIFY FOR BEST PRODUCT
PERFORMANCE
A. CORRUGATED ROOFING/WALL
Australian Standard 2728 “Prepainted and CLADDING
Organic Film/Metal Laminate Products for Where shown, corrugated roofing and wall
interior/Exterior Applications in Buildings” cladding shall be custom length ZINCALUME®
steel or COLORBOND® steel (profile name)
This standard divides environments into roll-formed from strip complying with
categories in which prepainted products must Australian Standard 1397:2001 and branded
perform and the paint properties to achieve a accordingly (refer Technical Bulletin TB-1a or
satisfactory performance. Details of the TB-1b for recommended finish to suit
COLORBOND® steel type to perform in the environment). The finished product shall
various types of environments are given in comply with Australian Standard 1445.
Technical Bulletin TB–1a and TB-1b.
All roofing accessories shall be of similar
material to the roof. Minimum coating class
shall be AZ150.
Fixing shall be to manufacturer’s C. RAINWATER GOODS
recommendations. Sealants shall be as Where shown, eaves, guttering/spouting, ridge
specified. Refer Technical Bulletin TB-9 capping, box or valley gutters and downpipes
“Sealants for Exterior Finishes”. shall be formed from ZINCALUME® steel
During the fixing period swarf should be complying with Australian Standard 1397:2001.
removed from the roof and guttering daily The finished product shall comply with
(refer Technical Bulletin TB-5 “Swarf Staining Australian Standard 2179 and Australian
of Steel Roofing and Walling Profiles”). Standard 2180. Base steel grade and thickness
will depend on profile. Coating mass shall be
Copper or uncoated lead shall not be used for AZ150 (refer to TB-1a or TB-1b for material
flashing (refer Technical Bulletin TB-8 finish in various environments).
“Flashing Materials for ZINCALUME® and
COLORBOND® Steel Sheet”). Accessories shall be of similar material to the
gutter/spouting. Downpipes shall be
Discharge from copper pipes shall not flow ZINCALUME® or COLORBOND® steel.
onto roof. Installation shall be to normal trade practice.
Sealants shall be as specified.
B. OTHER PROFILES – ROOFING WALL
CLADDING
CONCLUSION
Where shown, roofing and wall cladding shall
be custom length ZINCALUME® steel or It is in the best interest of the specifier and
COLORBOND® steel (profile name) roll-formed end-user of hot-dipped metallic-coated steel
from material complying with Australian products to demand compliance with relevant
Standard 1397:2001 and branded accordingly Australian Standards. It should be noted that
(refer TB-1a or TB-1b for selection). products do not necessarily have to comply
with a standard unless compliance is claimed
Minimum coating class shall be AZ150. by statement, literature or branding, or if the
specification or order call for it.
All roofing accessories shall be of similar
material to the roof. By combining the correct thickness of coating,
base strength, associated materials and
Fixing shall be to manufacturer’s
installation practice, the greatest potential value
recommendations.
and performance are realised often at no extra
Sealants shall be as specified. cost.
Swarf shall be removed from the roof and
guttering daily.
Copper or uncoated lead shall not be used for
flashing.
Discharge from copper pipes shall not flow
onto roof.
The information and advice contained in this Bulletin is of a general nature only, and has not been prepared with
your specific needs in mind. You should always obtain specialist advice to ensure that the materials, approach and
techniques referred to in this Bulletin meet your specific requirements.
BlueScope Steel Limited makes no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any estimates, opinions
or other information contained in this Bulletin, and to the maximum extent permitted by law, BlueScope Steel Limited
disclaims all liability and responsibility for any loss or damage, direct or indirect, which may be suffered by any
person acting in reliance on anything contained in or omitted from this document.
ZINCALUME® and COLORBOND® are registered trade marks of BlueScope Steel Limited.
BlueScope is a trade mark of BlueScope Steel Limited.
Please ensure you have the current Technical Bulletin as displayed at www.bluescopesteel.com.au

BlueScope Steel
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