There are a host of different Australian standards that might apply to steel posts. Some relate to manufacture, others to installation, and others apply to finishes including galvanising. Ultimately, it depends largely on the function the steel post will fulfil.

While there are 2,584 Australian and ISO (produced by the Swiss International Organisation for Standardisation) standards that relate to steel and steel products produced in Australia, only a few relate specifically to steel posts and poles. And there is a large difference between one type of steel post and another.

For instance, different steel products available from BlueScope Distribution are manufactured according to a number of standards that could apply to the steel utilised for the manufacture of a steel post:

• AS/NZS 1163: 2016 Cold-formed structural steel hollow sections that covers three strength grades that are suitable for welding. BlueScope extra-light, light, medium, heavy, and extra-heavy pipes are made in accordance with this standard and are available in grades C350L0 and GRD350. Square and rectangular hollow sections and cattle rails are also made in accordance with this standard.
• AS/NZS 3679.1: 2010 Structural steel Hot-rolled bars and sections that specifies the requirements for production and supply of bars and sections for general structural and engineering use. BlueScope flat mild steel, angles, billets, round mild steel, universal beams and columns, welded beams and columns, and several other products are made in accordance with this standard.
• AS/NZS 1594: 2002 (R2016) Hot-rolled steel flat products that specifies how hot-rolled steel plate, floorplate, sheet and strip steel, that is rolled on a continuous mill should be produced.

Standards that relate to posts and poles include:

• AS/NZS 4677-2010 Steel utility services poles relates specifically to poles that are used for street lights, floodlights, traffic signals, communication equipment, aerial conductors, electromotive-transport conductors, and similar utility service poles. It does not apply to masts or flag poles.
• AS/NZS 5131 Fabrication and erection of steel structures that specifies minimum requirements for the construction and erection of structural steelwork. This includes:
  • Fabrication including welding and bolting
  • Preparation of the steel for protection from corrosion
  • Painting and galvanising to protect against corrosion
  • Erection and modification of steelwork on site

A benchmark for excellence, it is applicable specifically to structural steelwork rather than a simple fence post, although there are specifications that are relevant, particularly in relation to preventing corrosion.

There are also numerous standards that relate to welding of structural steel and specific types of structures, as well as those that specify paints for steel structures, and colour coding of steel products.

AS/NZS 4792 Hot-dip galvanized (zinc) coatings on ferrous hollow sections, applied by a continuous or a specialized process specifies standards for pre-galvanized tube. Within this standard are a number of options regarding grades, and the Australasian Wire Industry Association advises that AS/NZS 4792 HDG300 galvanised posts will last three times longer than pre-galvanised posts treated in accordance with AS/NZS 4792 ZB100.