What is BS EN 12843 - Precast concrete masts and poles about?
BS EN 12843 is a European Standard on precast concrete products. The main aim of BS EN 12843 is to provide the best industry guidance on ensuring your precast concrete products such as masts and poles are reliable for use.
BS EN 12843 specifies requirements for precast concrete poles (also commonly called masts) (either all of a piece or composed of elements), reinforced and/or prestressed as structural elements; they may be hollow or solid and may receive or include additional components (e.g., cross-arms, platforms etc.), inserts and connectors. Additional elements may be connected to pole elements.
Structures made from such elements in mono- or multi-legged form may be used for:
- Overhead electrical lines
- Telecommunication lines
- Overhead electrical lines for railways, trams and similar
- Supports for lighting
- Supports for loudspeaker installation
- Antenna and telecommunication poles
- Supports for wind turbines
- And similar installations
Note: BS EN 12843 does not cover lighting columns for use in traffic circulation areas.
Who is BS EN 12843 - Precast concrete masts and poles for?
BS EN 12843 on precast concrete masts and poles is useful for:
- Manufacturers of concrete and concrete products
- Specialists in the production of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete
- Cement production companies
- Builders and architects
- Civil engineers
- Contractors
Why should you use BS EN 12843 - Precast concrete masts and poles?
Precast concrete poles are used today worldwide for flag poles, sign poles, telephone poles, telegraph poles, and poles that support street lights, electric power lines, antenna masts, and overhead power lines for electric trains. Prestressed poles are lighter and stronger, and they require less reinforcing steel. The concrete is generally in compression, so cracking is unlikely. The lower permeability in combination with the absence of cracks prevents corrosion of reinforcement or prestressing wire. A pole (or mast) is an upright slender structure fixed rigidly at the foot.
In this regard, BS EN 12843 covers the requirements of the constituent materials, geometrical and surface characteristics of concrete, and includes test methods, evaluation of conformity and compliance criteria and marking and labelling of the concrete products.
Thus, if you are a manufacturer of precast concrete products, complying with BS EN 12843 can help demonstrate the performance and quality of your product, ensuring that they are fit for its intended use.
