scope:

This Standard specifies requirements for bar chairs and spacers, including continuous bar chairs, and covers strength, permanent deflection, accuracy of manufacturing within acceptable tolerances (dimensions and stability), identification/batch/supplier traceability, and fixing. Minimum requirements for load capacity testing of bar chairs and spacers are specified to ensure that cover to reinforcement in reinforced concrete structural elements is maintained within acceptable tolerances under the application of prescribed construction loads.

This Standard also sets out durability requirements for concrete bar chairs.

NOTES:

1 Durability requirements have been included as they are not adequately covered by design Standards.

2 The Standard is not intended to apply to site-manufactured bar chairs where product quality, dimensional tolerances and performance cannot be assured. If site-casting of concrete chairs is being considered, the principles of this Standard should apply.

3 This Standard does not cover non-typical, custom or 'engineer-specified' chairs and supports such as used in heavily reinforced structures; however, such supports should always comply with the placing tolerances of AS 3600 or NZS 3101 as appropriate.

4 This Standard does not cover chairs, spacers or supports covered by specific product Standards such as AS/NZS 4058 and AS 4198.

5 The different means by which compliance with this Standard may be demonstrated by the manufacturer or supplier are as follows:

(a) Evaluation by means of statistical sampling. (b) The use of a product certification scheme.

(c) Assurance using the acceptability of the supplier's quality system.

(d) Other such means proposed by the manufacturer or supplier and acceptable to the customer.