Around 450 architects, engineers and fabricators took advantage of the opportunity to see galvanizing processes first-hand at the first Galvanizing Open Day.
34 plants across the UK and Ireland opened their doors for the Galvanizing Open Day in September. The day was part of a Continuing Professional Development programme that has been designed to further the understanding of Hot Dip Galvanizing and strengthen links with the galvanizer in the supply chain.
Iqbal Johal Marketing Manager of the industry body, Galvanizers Association, had the idea for the initiative after attending the RIBA Summer Open Door Event.
He said: “Although the metallurgy of Hot Dip Galvanizing does not change, present day galvanizing plants are highly innovative.”
“Galvanizing is becoming more recognized as a cost-efficient, highly durable and indeed versatile form of corrosion protection and we wanted to showcase how today’s plants achieve those properties. Sophisticated scheduling systems mean that orders can be processed within 24 hours and improved efficiencies mean that galvanized steel is now one of the most versatile and sustainable materials in the marketplace. It is important that as an industry we look to new ways to communicate these often, unseen benefits. ”
Rob Hearne, Chartered Consultant Architect and CPD specialist, was approached by RIBA to assess the initiative. He said: “Galvanizing is a ubiquitous process that many take for granted without truly getting to grips with the detail. This open day has shown that the galvanizing industry across the board wants specifiers and contractors to move beyond the text book, and to design, develop and equally importantly, assess results, from a position of greater knowledge.”
As part of their CPD programme, the Galvanizers Association is working with construction professionals to increase engagement with galvanizers within product development and at the early design phase of projects. Further information about their CPD courses can be found at the Galvanizers Association webpage.