Standards Development

Scope

EN ISO 12696:2016 specifies performance requirements for cathodic protection of steel in cement-based concrete, in both new and existing structures. It covers building and civil engineering structures, including normal reinforcement and prestressed reinforcement embedded in the concrete. It is applicable to uncoated steel reinforcement and to organic-coated steel reinforcement.

EN ISO 12696:2016 applies to steel embedded in atmospherically exposed, buried, immersed and tidal elements of buildings or structures.

NOTE 1 Annex A gives guidance on the principles of cathodic protection and its application to steel in concrete.

NOTE 2 EN ISO 12696:2016, while not specifically intended to address cathodic protection of steel in any electrolyte except concrete, can be applied to cathodic protection of steel in other cementitious materials such as are found, for example, in early 20th century steel-framed masonry, brick and terracotta clad buildings. In such applications, additional considerations specific to these structures are required in respect of design, materials and installation of cathodic protection; however, the requirements of this document can be applied to these systems.

Purpose

There have been developments in galvanic anodes, hybrid anodes and the achievement of the performance criteria since the publication of this standard. The standard therefore needs revision to reflect these developments. 

BS EN ISO 12696 is widely used in the UK; major infrastructure for Highways England, for ports and harbours, for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Counties and Local Authorities and commercial owners (bridges, tunnels, multi storey car parks, jetties, quays etc) are the subject of repair and life extension including cathodic protection of steel in concrete. Several UK contractors undertake significant works overseas including cathodic protection of steel in concrete

The UK expenditure is many £Millions every year.

The Standard is widely used as a basis for this activity in the UK and overseas. It is widely used in Europe, both North and Southern Africa, in Australia and in the Far East. Much of this work is led by European Contractors.

The existing Standard has received widespread criticism from the UK Expert community and from other experts in Europe and Australia in respect of lack of clarity in the Criteria of Protection and Interpretation of Performance Assessment. There is lack of clarity and some degree of controversy between Experts as to the extent to which cathodic protection delivered by galvanic anodes can, or should, deliver the same performance and be judged by the same criteria as cathodic protection delivered by impressed current. There is no gradation of performance and the benefits of reduced corrosion rate and possible extended life that may be delivered by partial achievement of the established protection criteria.

The Standard would benefit from a detailed revision to address these issues and to incorporate latest developments in technology.

The Standard was originated as EN 12696 and much of the international expertise resides in Europe. CEN TC 219 WG2 was the originator of EN 12696 and has the expertise to develop it. There is a consensus within CEN TC 219 WG2 participants that this Working Group is best placed to improve the Standard. ISO TC 156 WG10 has some expertise in this sector but already has a busy programme of work and the Convenor has indicated a preference for this work to be undertaken by CEN TC 219 WG2. It is then anticipated that the revised EN would be adopted by ISO.