FAQs

Thermatech® technology in COLORBOND® steel is used to enhance the Total Solar Reflectance (TSR) of homes as well as commercial buildings. COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel in Whitehaven™ has the highest TSR in our product range, and has been designed specifically for commercial and industrial roofing applications.

You will need 2 standard LYSAGHT® fence posts, 3 CUSTOMSCREEN® universal rails, 3 CUSTOMSCREEN® infill sheets, 1 lattice, 1 ball cap, 27 self-drilling hex. head screws 10-16x16, 2 post infill strips (optional)

The material supplied by BlueScope Steel is certified to the grade originally ordered. Because not all XLERPLATE® steel or XLERPLATE LITE® steels within a batch are individually tested, the specific properties for any particular plate are not known, and they can therefore not be reapplied to another Standard or grade. Where this situation arises, contact XLERPLATE® Customer Service on 1300 135 004. The customer service team will be able to assist in determining what product has been individually tested within a given batch. Product that has been tested may be reapplied, PROVIDED the test results comfortably meet ALL the requirements of the new grade or Standard. Product that was not individually tested must be tested to the requirements of the new grade or Standard. 

The material identification (XLERPLATE® steel serial number) of the particular material unit tested is noted on the test certificate. Check if the XLERPLATE® steel serial number you have received corresponds with that shown on the test certificate as the tested unit. If there is no corresponding serial number, contact your distributor or BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789 to obtain the correct test certificate.

Only material which is rolled on the plate mill can be ultrasonically tested. Therefore, XLERPLATE LITE® steel cannot be ultrasonically tested as it originates from the hot strip mill.

Ultrasonic testing must be specified at the time of order. Ultrasonic testing is generally carried out to AS 1710, but testing to International Standards may be done on request.

AS 4100 and AS 1554 Standards provide the guidelines for when ultrasonic testing should be specified. As a general rule, whenever the final product or application is of a critical nature, eg. there may be fatigue or heavy machining to be carried out; or where welds are subject to final ultrasonic inspection; the parent plate should be ordered with ultrasonic testing. AS1710 Level 2 is the most commonly specified Standard. Whilst all care is taken during manufacturing, unless the XLERPLATE® steel has been ordered ultrasonically tested, there is no guarantee that it will meet the requirements of AS 1710, if subsequently tested. It is the customers' responsibility to specify ultrasonic testing and the level required, based on their knowledge of the XLERPLATE® steel’s end use application and final weld ultrasonic testing requirements.

Yes. Your supplier/fabricator can provide engineers' details of compliance to satisfy council requirements.

Either. Steel framing can be fixed directly to a concrete slab, or to steel flooring systems on brick, concrete, or steel piers.

The properties of steel are known and consistent, and conform to Australian standards or their equivalent. Steel framing components are designed around those properties. Most modern systems use high tensile steel components and appropriate jointing methods, and are engineered to pass strict performance tests.

Whether a steel frame is mechanically jointed or welded, in a properly constructed and insulated home, thermally induced movement and noise is no more likely than with other materials. Steel framing expands and contracts at rates not too dissimilar from other materials, which means it is unlikely that there will be noise or cornice cracking problems.