Bangkok: The House Committee on Industry is overhauling the Thai Industrial Standards (TIS), mandating the installation of "processing furnaces" to prevent the production of substandard steel. The Chairman of the Committee on Industry and the committee members held a press conference to announce their consideration of ways to upgrade steel industry standards in order to build confidence among consumers and the public.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suphachok Srisuk, Chairman of the Industrial Committee, and his committee announced the results of their meeting to consider ways to upgrade the standards of the steel industry. Mr. Suphachok stated that relevant agencies were invited to the discussion, including the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, the Comptroller General's Department, the Department of Industrial Works, the Steel Industry Group, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Group of 10 Thai Steel Associations.
Steel producers, including furnace operators' associations for induction (IF) and electric arc (EF) furnaces, contributed information to support the revisions to the steel industry standards. Thailand currently follows two main standards: TIS 20-2559 for round steel bars and TIS 24-2559 for deformed steel bars. The revisions are necessary due to current steel quality issues, the fact that the old standards have been in use for over five years, and advancements in steel production technology.
Significant changes to TIS 20-2559, or round steel bars, include revised definitions, an increase in quality grades, an increase in product sizes, and the requirement for all manufacturers to incorporate a "fining furnace" in their production process to ensure steel quality meets the standard. Problematic requirements have been removed, and stricter controls on chemical composition purity and quality control are mandated.
Round steel bars can still be produced using IF furnaces, but a clear process involving a refining furnace must be present. For TIS 24-2559, or deformed steel bars, the committee initially resolved that they must be produced using EF or BOF furnaces. Manufacturers using IF furnaces have provided feedback to the committee.
The new standard is still in the public consultation period for 30 days. Feedback from the public, industry, or relevant agencies will be considered for further review. While the standard is not yet in effect, inspections of steel quality at three levels-upstream, midstream, and downstream-are planned to ensure compliance and build public confidence in the quality of steel used in construction nationwide.