A consultation has opened on the British Standards Institution’s new flex standard to assess greener concrete alternatives.
Built environment professionals have been encouraged to respond to a consultation on the use of new technology to develop lower carbon concrete.
A new flex standard, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI), aims to recommend and demonstrate the potential of lower carbon technology that sits outside the current suite of British standards.
BSI Flex 350 Alternative binder systems for lower carbon concrete – Code of practice sets out the best way to identify and show the suitability for lower carbon concrete alternatives and alternative binder systems.
The consultation aims to collate feedback from industry to ensure the standard includes the correct aspects of the use of alternative binder systems.
Identifying the best materials for the job
Mark Hansford, ICE director of engineering knowledge, said innovation is key to building a sustainable future:
“As an industry, we have an important role to play in designing, building and maintaining infrastructure that is fit for purpose now, and in the future. Considering new and innovative ways to use materials in essential to creating a sustainable future.”
“I encourage members and those across the sector to share their thoughts with BSI on this standard and help create a framework that helps everyone to identify and use the best materials for the job,” Hansford said.
The standard is intended for engineers and designers, but end users, contractors and producers of alternative binders can use it too.
BSI flex standards
The BSI’s flex standards allow for review and updates according to new information.
They aim to capture good practice through a series of versions, offering standards that are thorough and flexible.
Such an approach is important for fast-moving industries, where new innovations are happening regularly.
The Flex 350 standard was created in collaboration between BSI, the Low Carbon Concrete Group and the ICE, who serves as the primary sponsor.
The BSI is responsible for developing and coordinating the writing process in collaboration with the technical author.
Next steps
The consultation, run by the BSI, is open now for contributions and will run for four weeks.
Following the consultation phase, an advisory group will review and revise the first version of the standard.
In December, BSI and the ICE will begin work on the second version, with aims to publish in early 2024.
