AS NZS 5131-2016 (2020) PDF

Full title and description

AS/NZS 5131:2016 — Structural steelwork — Fabrication and erection. This joint Australian/New Zealand standard sets minimum requirements and good-practice provisions for the fabrication, surface preparation, corrosion protection (painting and galvanizing), erection and modification of structural steel members, components and assemblies used in buildings, bridges and other load‑carrying structures. The published edition also includes Amendment 1:2020.

Abstract

AS/NZS 5131:2016 provides a single, comprehensive post‑design standard describing how structural steelwork should be produced and delivered to achieve fitness for purpose. Key topics include construction categories to manage project risk, traceability and documentation requirements, fabrication and erection tolerances, welding and bolting inspection, and requirements for corrosion protection and surface preparation. The standard is intended to be used with relevant material and design standards and is referenced by industry compliance schemes.

General information

• Status: Current (published and in force; amended 2020).
• Publication date: Published 2016 (December 2016 publication date is commonly recorded); Amendment 1 published August 14, 2020.
• Publisher: Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand.
• ICS / categories: Construction and steel structures — ICS 91.080 (Structures of buildings — metal/steel structures) and related 91.100 construction material categories.
• Edition / version: 1st edition (2016), incorporating Amendment 1:2020.
• Number of pages: Commonly listed as 186 pages in publisher listings.

Scope

Specifies minimum requirements for the construction of structural steelwork including: fabrication (bolting and welding), preparation of steel surfaces for corrosion protection, painting and galvanizing, on‑site erection and modification. The standard applies to complete structures, individual members and prefabricated components used in buildings, crane and rail bridges, runway girders, monorails and similar structures, and includes provisions for seismic and fatigue‑sensitive applications. Some requirements are expressed according to a project’s Construction Category (CC).

Key topics and requirements

• Construction Category (CC) framework for risk‑based assignment of fabrication/erection controls.
• Documentation, shop detailing, traceability and quality plan requirements for fabricators and contractors.
• Fabrication tolerances, dimensional control and marking/piece‑traceability.
• Welding and bolting requirements, inspection levels and references to the AS/NZS 1554 series and AS/NZS ISO 3834 for welding quality.
• Surface preparation and corrosion‑protection specifications including painting and hot‑dip galvanizing procedures.
• Requirements for lifting, temporary works, stability during erection, and modification/repair of steelwork on site.
• As‑built documentation, nondestructive testing and acceptance criteria for welds and bolted connections.

Typical use and users

Used by structural engineers, fabricators, erection contractors, project specifiers, quality managers, certifying bodies and inspectors. Also used by owners, principal contractors and auditors to set contractual and compliance requirements for structural steelwork delivery and erection. Industry compliance schemes and national specifications commonly reference AS/NZS 5131 as the technical baseline.

Related standards

AS/NZS 5131 is intended to be used alongside other material and design standards such as AS 4100 (Steel structures), AS/NZS ISO 3834 (Welding quality requirements), AS/NZS 1163 (Cold‑formed hollow sections), AS/NZS 1554 series (Structural steel welding), AS/NZS 3678/1594 (steel material standards), AS 5100.6 and NZS 3404.1 (bridge and building design references) and other applicable design and material standards.

Keywords

structural steelwork, fabrication, erection, welding, bolting, traceability, corrosion protection, galvanizing, painting, construction category, quality plan, tolerances, AS/NZS 5131

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: AS/NZS 5131:2016 is a joint Australian/New Zealand standard that specifies minimum requirements and good‑practice procedures for the fabrication, protection and on‑site erection (and modification) of structural steelwork.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers fabrication controls (including welding and bolting), piece marking and traceability, geometric tolerances, surface preparation, corrosion protection (painting and galvanizing), erection methods, temporary works and acceptance/inspection criteria; some provisions are tailored by Construction Category.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural and bridge engineers, steel fabricators and erectors, quality managers, certifying bodies and contract specifiers—basically any party responsible for delivering, inspecting or certifying structural steelwork.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2016 edition is the current published edition and was formally amended by Amendment 1 in 2020; users should check publisher records and project contracts for any later revisions or project‑specific adoption dates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: AS/NZS 5131 is a standalone post‑design/fabrication and erection standard but is explicitly intended to be used with a family of related standards for design, welding and materials (for example AS 4100, AS/NZS ISO 3834 and the AS/NZS 1554 welding series). Industry implementation tools and specifications (such as the National Structural Steelwork Specification) have been developed to help apply AS/NZS 5131 in contract documents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Structural steelwork, fabrication, erection, welding, bolting, traceability, corrosion protection, galvanizing, construction category, quality plan.