Advance FAQ

Since September 2006, Advance has been the new identity of  structural sections from Corus.  The new name applies to all the sections we manufacture for the UK market, including beams, columns, channels, angles, and bearing piles.

Designers will be encouraged to specify Advance sections by name during the material selection process. We have also introduced a new sections designation system for the individual products.

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Corus has trademarked new designations for use by the UK steel construction industry.

UB becomes UKB

UC becomes UKC

PFC becomes UKPFC

Angles become UKA

UBP becomes UKBP

Tees become UKT

Asymmetric slimflor beams remain as ASB

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Existing sections in the range remain unchanged but 21 new beam and column sizes have been introduced to the new Advance range to better reflect modern design practice, particularly with respect to the choice of a building’s floor depth.  

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Advance sections are not fundamentally different from the previous Corus section range that was marketed in the UK. The new name will help simplify compliance with the EU Directive on Construction Products (CPD 89/106/EEC). CE marking of a product is a declaration by the manufacturer that it complies with all the appropriate provisions of the European regulations. CE marking is not strictly mandatory in the UK, but it is generally agreed that it represents best practice in complying with the European Directive as well as simplifying the process of material selection.

Specification of products that are CE marked gives confidence to designers that they comply with manufacturing standards and the relevant Eurocodes for building and construction. From September 2006, all structural sections used in Europe must comply with the Construction Products Directive.

Specifying Advance sections from Corus is the simplest way to guarantee that a CE marked product in compliance with the CPD will be supplied. 

Please follow this link to see how to specify Advance sections 

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This is not enough to guarantee supply of a CE marked section. To achieve CE mark approval for its products requires a manufacturer to demonstrate robust quality systems and consistent performance. Corus was the first steel maker in the world to achieve the required standard.

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Investment at our Teesside Beam Mill and the Medium Section Mill at Scunthorpe mean the Advance section range offers improved product quality and a wider choice of sections as well as simplifying compliance with new EU legislation. Of course the existing benefits of specifying Corus sections remain:

• unrivalled availability through our frequent UK rolling programme
• professional technical support from product selection through to application assistance
• over 25 years of continuous commitment to the development of steel construction.
• working with customers to help make the UK market the most successful in the world.

Corus also takes its corporate responsibilities for health, safety and environmental performance very seriously, which is becoming increasingly important to construction industry clients.

We are keen that our customers share in all the benefits of the Advance brand.

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The clearest indication will be that the Advance name will be rolled into the section. The name will also appear on the product label and test certificate.

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The new name, Advance, partly reflects recent improvements but also recognises our well-established world-class processes and standards. Its introduction will not affect the price or availability of our sections. The automated distribution centre at Scunthorpe  became operational in early 2007, which will help ensure Advance sections are delivered on time and in the best possible condition.

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It is anticipated that full transition to the new name will take some time. The initial launch will mark the introduction of the name Advance in our publicity and promotions. Customer orders will, of course, still be fulfilled using current designations while there is a carefully managed transition to the new naming protocols on a customer-by-customer basis.

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No. The existing Corus UK section range will simply become the Advancerange. Any order for sections in the UK can be fulfilled with Advance sections.   

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There will be a number of promotional activities aimed at the construction sector, including advertising, press releases, a new website and sponsorship of construction industry events. Advance sections, and the changes associated with them, will feature as a topic on our regular seminar programme.

Our product catalogue, often referred to as the BS4 brochure is being revised as the Advance sections brochure

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