Since 2010, Eurocodes have been available in Ireland and, since 2013, they have been referenced in the Building Regulations Technical Guidance documents. To continue the development of the Eurocodes, CEN/TC 250 (1) are beginning a systematic review of the Eurocodes. The review will be phased, with the first phase including 31 out of the 58 Eurocode parts (2). This is an opportunity for Irish engineers to identify any modifications that are required to improve the suite of standards. Information gathered from the review will be considered by CEN/TC 250, but no related modifications will be made before 2020. This will ensure stability in the use of the current suite of Eurocodes. On this NSAI Eurocodes review web page, you will find a list of the Eurocodes out for review. Instructions on completing the CEN systematic review template are also outlined on this page. Comments should only be made by using the CEN commenting template.  The templates can be downloaded by selecting the Eurocode you wish to comment on from the list on the web page. The review asks the following six questions: 1)    Do any clauses require editorial or technical correction? 2)    Which clauses would benefit from improvements in clarity? 3)    Where should the scope of the EN be extended? 4)    Where could the EN be shortened? 5)    Are there any clauses whose application leads to uneconomic construction? 6)    Are there any clauses whose application necessitates excessive design effort? Completed templates should be sent to eurocodereview@nsai.ie no later than 31/7/2014. All comments will then be collated and reviewed by the NSAI Eurocode Consultative Committee before submission to CEN/TC 250. CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS UPDATE An amendment to S.R. 325- Recommendations for the design of masonry structures in Ireland to Eurocode 6 has recently been published. The amendment includes the addition of three new annexes, Annex C, D and E. Annex C provides advice on the use of I.S. EN 771-1 to 6, Masonry units. Annex D provides guidance on the use of I.S. EN 845-1 to 3, Ancillary components for masonry and Annex E contains guidance on the use of I.S.EN998-1 to 2, Specification for mortar for masonry. As a result, the national annexes for the three series of standards; I.S. EN 771, I.S. EN 845 and I.S.EN998 will be withdrawn. An amended national annex for I.S. EN 1996-1-1:2005+A1:2012 has also been published. Any person wishing to purchase the standards mentioned above or any other published standards can do so by visiting www.standards.ie.


(1) CEN/TC 250 is the European technical committee dealing with Structural Eurocodes (2) Masonry Eurocodes I.S. EN 1996-1-1:2005, I.S. EN 1996-1-2:2005, I.S. EN 1996-2:2006 and I.S. EN 1996-3:2006 were recently out for review. The comment deadline has passed; however, comments can still be made from anyone wishing to do so. These Eurocode parts appear in the list on the NSAI web page accessed by following the link.