Corus Panels and Profiles is warning designers and contractors of the high risks and potentially catastrophic consequences of using lighter gauge steel for liner profiles in site assembled building envelope systems.

In the current tough economic conditions, cost cutting on apparently generic roof and wall cladding components, such as liner profiles, is rife. Corus asserts that this is truly a false economy and could even result in loss of life, if a poor quality liner profile fails while in use as a working platform during construction.

The European standard for a liner profile that will safely accommodate normal installation roof traffic is 0.7mm gauge steel, with a tolerance of just +/- 0.06mm. Corus has discovered that, in efforts to reduce costs, lighter gauge liner profiles with weak profile configurations are often selected. They may not be able to achieve a non-fragility rating and are more susceptible to in-service damage, aesthetic issues and, in the very worst cases, fire performance inadequacies.

Corus understands that some manufacturers are obtaining coil at a quoted 0.64mm gauge, which is later sold as being 0.7mm gauge. What superficially appears to be a liner panel that is just within minimum tolerances may have an actual thickness as low as 0.58mm.

It is therefore extremely important that designers and contractors insist on conclusive proof from the liner profile supplier or manufacturer that the selected product fully complies with safety legislation and is fit for purpose.

All Corus Panels and Profiles products are made exclusively from CE-marked Colorcoat® pre-finished steel products from Corus Colors. Corus liner profiles are made in purposely robust profile configurations and have all been successfully tested to achieve up to Class B non-fragile status. Additionally, all systems have been tested and structurally evaluated by the Steel Construction Institute and awarded the SCI-Assessed quality mark.

To eliminate confusion, encourage correct specification and procurement practice and promote site safety, Corus has just published a comprehensive and fully illustrated Colorcoat® Technical Paper. Entitled “The Effect of Gauge on Pre-Finished Steel Roof and Wall Cladding Performance”, the document is now available for download at www.colorcoat-online.com/technical