C orus Tub es

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Structural & Conveyance Business

EN 10255
A smooth transition
with Corus Install

Contents
1 Intro duction
2 The ne w stand ard
4 D etaile d comp arison
7 C omp arison of sp e cific ations

Introduction

The finished product to BS 1387 is, for all practical

purposes unchanged when supplied to the equivalent type
or series from the new EN 10255 standard.
The new standard contains minor changes to detail but
maintains the same overall technical performance
requirements for the finished tube.
The principal difference is the introduction in EN 10255 of
new type L and L1 light tubes, in addition to L2, Medium
and Heavy which correspond to the Light, Medium and
Heavy tubes as used in BS 1387.
The following table gives the directly corresponding types
in BS 1387 and EN 10255.

BS 1387 Light
BS 1387 Medium
BS 1387 Heavy

Additional Information

The following information is applicable to Corus Install

tubes supplied to EN 10255:
For sizes 17.2mm to 114.3mm OD (10DN to 100DN) the
galvanised coating will be in accordance with EN 102040
quality B2.
For sizes 13.5, 139.7 and 165mm OD (8, 12.5 and
150DN) the galvanised coating will be in accordance with
EN ISO 1461:1999.
When required, tubes will be screwed in accordance with
EN10226-1 and fitted with a steel socket type heavy in
accordance with EN 10241:2000.

EN 10255 L
EN 10255 L1
EN 10255 L2
EN 10255 Medium
EN 10255 Heavy

Corus Install tube will be supplied as EN 10255 L2,

Medium and Heavy and will fully comply with the
requirements of both BS 1387 and EN 10255.
Corus Tubes Transition

To facilitate specification and use of the new standard,

for the period whilst the products are in transition, Corus
Tubes will, from the 1st of June 2005, dual reference
EN 10255 and BS 1387 in the product descriptions
and inspection documents of its Install tubes.
On withdrawal of BS 1387 (expected in August 2006)
single reference to EN 10255 will be made.
CE Marking, as required by the Construction Products
Directive, will be introduced onto Corus Inspection
documents during the transition period.

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

The new standard

EN 10255:2004 is the new European standard giving

other p ages includ e d in the national e dition, e.g. the

technical delivery requirements for the range of

N ational fore word. Thus in the U K the stand ard is

general purpose steel tube, commonly known as gas

publishe d as B S E N 10255. The main text of the

list, previously specified in the UK as BS 1387:1985.

stand ard, how ever, remains unchange d and the

This versatile material has a diverse range of uses in

te chnic al re quirements are thus id entic al in all memb er

the industrial and general engineering sector, either

countries (although the d ocument is normally translate d

above or below ground, for conveying liquids and

into the language of the country conc erne d).

gases or carrying cables. Some typical applications

include tube for heating and ventilation, process

As E N 10255 is a harmonise d Euro p e an stand ard, i.e.

pipework and sprinkler systems in buildings.

a stand ard that me ets the essential re quirements of

an E C M and ate, there by ena bling C E marking to b e

C orus Tub es is a major manufa cturer of w eld e d hot

a p plie d, the Euro p e an C ommission has agre e d that

finishe d general purp ose tub e and the information in

it c an b e phase d in over a p erio d of 21 months.

this d ocument is intend e d to offer some guid anc e on

During this transition p erio d to start soon after August

how the ne w Euro p e an stand ard differs from B S 1387,

2005, either E N 10255 or B S 1387 c an b e sp e cifie d.

p articularly in resp e ct of the information to b e provid e d

C E marking will b e mand atory 12 months after this d ate

by the customer and the various o ptions availa ble.

for E N 10255 tub e sup plie d into mainland Euro p e, but is

H ow ever, as other stand ards referenc e d in B S 1387

o ptional for material sup plie d into the U K Re public of

have also b e en change d, for ord ering purp oses,

Ireland or S w e d en.

ple ase refer to E N 10255 for sp e cific re quirements

in more d etail.

From S e ptemb er 2006, E N 10255 will totally re pla c e

Euro p e an stand ards are pro duc e d by C E N , the

in Euro p e, such as the G erman stand ards DIN 2440 and

B S 1387 and the other co-existing N ational stand ards

Euro p e an stand ards organisation, and must b e

DIN 2441 and the French stand ard N F A 49-145, which

implemente d by the national stand ards b o dies of all the

will also b e withdra wn.

E U and E F TA memb er countries. When publishe d by the

national b o dy, e.g. the British Stand ards Institution (B SI)
in the U K , the Euro p e an stand ard is given the status of
a national stand ard and a national referenc e is a d d e d to
the Euro p e an stand ard numb er on the cover and on any

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Summary of the main differences

between EN 10255 and BS 1387
General

Title
E N 10255 is
needed
written around the sup ply of plain

Delivery Conditions

end tub es in the b are and uncoate d condition.

external w eld b e a d trimme d off and also imp oses

E N 10255 re quires w eld e d tub e to b e d elivere d with the

controls on the height of the internal w eld b e a d.

B S 1387 w as written around the sup ply of either

scre w e d and sockete d or plain end tub es in the

B S 1387 imp ose d no re quirements for external b e a d

varnishe d condition.

trimming (although this w as normally trimme d off on

E N 10255 has a sp e cific gra d e, S195T, allowing

internal b e a d height.

tub es pro duc e d by C orus) or any restrictions on the

sco p e for others to b e a d d e d at a later d ate.
E N 10255 d efines the b asic sup ply condition for
B S 1387 has no sp e cific gra d e as such, but

tub es as b are and uncoate d with o ptions availa ble.

e quates to S195T.
B S 1387 d efine d the b asic sup ply condition for
Size Range

tub es as varnishe d with o ptions availa ble.

E N 10255 d efines tub e siz e by O D x thickness

(or thre a d siz e and series).

E N 10255 d efines the b asic end sup ply condition

as plain end, again with o ptions availa ble.

B S 1387 d efine d tub e siz e by nominal (b ore)

siz e D N x series.

B S 1387 d efine d the b asic end sup ply condition

as either scre w e d and sockete d or plain end.

Types and Series

E N 10255 has thre e Light series typ es L, L1 and
L2 as w ell as a M e dium (M) and H e avy (H) series.

Certification
E N 10255 re quires test c ertific ation to b e sup plie d
with the ord er, with o ptions availa ble.

B S 1387 ha d only L, M and H .

B S 1387 did not re quire any test c ertific ation to b e
sup plie d with the ord er unless sp e cific ally re queste d
by the customer.

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Detailed Comparison between EN 10255:2004 & BS 1387:1985

BS EN 10255:2004

BS 1387:1985

Notes

Full title

Non-Alloy steel tubes suitable for

welding and threading Technical
delivery conditions.

Screwed and socketed steel tubes

and tubulars for plain end steel
tubes suitable for welding or for
screwing to BS 21 pipe threads.

EN 10255 is written around the

supply of plain end tubes.
Threaded ends and sockets are an
option. Tube threads shall be external
taper per EN 10226-1 or 2.
Sockets shall be steel in accordance
with EN 10241 or malleable cast iron
in accordance with EN10242.
Does not contain any details of
Tubulars or fittings. Galvanising is an
option. Where specified, tubes shall
be either suitable for galvanizing to,
or supplied galvanized to,
EN ISO 1461 or EN 10240, various
coating qualities.

Status

Published August 2004.

Co-existence with BS 1387 up to
end of May 2006. CE marking
may be applied after OJEC
(Official Journal of the European
Community) announcement (after
May 2005).

Will be replaced by EN 10255.

BS 1387 will be withdrawn at the
end of May 2006, after a 21-month
transition period following the
publication of EN 10255.

EN 10255 is prepared under

Mandate M/131 and will hence
become a harmonised Standard
under the CPD. As such the material
meets essential requirements and CE
marking may be applied. Table 3 on
page 8, shows the schedule for the
implementation of EN 10255.

Steel name

S 195 T

Composition

Carbon
Manganese
Phosphorus
Sulphur

Delivery condition

Seamless or (longitudinally) welded

tube. Cold formed type L tubes
must be heat treated. All other
series and types can be heat
treated at the manufacturer's
discretion.

Welded tube only. Supply condition

and heat treatment at discretion of
manufacturer. Sockets either by
welded or seamless process.

EN 10255 also allows seamless tube.

Sockets can be either EN 10241
(steel) or EN 10242 (malleable iron).
(Only steel sockets specified in
BS 1387).

Size range

OD 10.2 to 165.1mm.

Nominal (bore) size DN 8 DN 150

See Table 1 on page 7, for size

range and tolerances plus
comparison between OD and
DN sizes.

See Table 1 on page 7, for size

range and tolerances plus
comparison between DN and
OD sizes.

EN 10255 defines tube size by

specified outside diameter (OD) x
thickness rather than by nominal
(bore) size (DN) x series. It is also
permitted to order tubes by thread
size and series. A comparison table
showing the correlation between
specified outside diameter (D), thread
size (R) and nominal diameter (DN) is
given in Table 1 on page 7.

Light Series 3 types L, L1 and L2

Medium and Heavy series - M and H
See Table 1 on page 7 for size
range and tolerances plus
comparison between OD and DN
sizes. See Table 2 on page 7 for
specified wall thicknesses.

Light (L), Medium (M) and

Heavy (H).

Welded tubes
+/- 10% for M, H & L
- 8% with the plus tolerance limited
by the mass tolerance, for L1 and L2
Seamless tubes
12.5%. Max. tolerance only
applies if the actual bundle weight
exceeds theoretical (calculated)
value by more than 7.5%.

Only welded tubes specified

Light -8%
Medium and Heavy 10%

BS EN 10255:2004

BS 1387:1985

Type designations

Thickness tolerance

S (for structural) steel name prefix.

195 for min. yield strength in MPa.
T (for tube) steel name suffix.
0.20% Max
1.40% Max
0.035% Max
0.030% Max

Carbon
Manganese
Phosphorus
Sulphur

0.20% Max
1.20% Max
0.045% Max
0.045% Max

See Table 1 on page 7 for size

range and tolerances plus
comparison between DN and OD
sizes. See Table 2 on page 7
below, for wall thickness list.

EN 10255 allows a higher maximum

Manganese content, and has
reduced maximum levels of
Phosphorus and Sulphur.

L and L1 in EN 10255 relate to

ISO 65, L1 to the light series in
NF A 49-145 and L2 to the light
series in BS 1387. M and H
thickness ranges are generally
similar to those in BS 1387given
in Table 1 on page 7.

Notes

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Detailed Comparison between EN 10255:2004 & BS 1387:1985 (continued)

BS EN 10255:2004

BS 1387:1985

Notes

Thread size

1/8 6
per EN 10226-1 / prEN10226-2

1/4 6
per BS 21:1985

BS EN 10226-1 (Taper external

threads and parallel internal threads)
was published in July 2004.
Dimensions of external taper threads
and internal parallel threads in EN
10226-1 are generally consistent with
BS 21. EN 10226-2 (taper external
threads and taper internal threads)
is yet to be published.

Mass tolerance

Welded Tubes:
For M, H & L, 7.5% for bundles
larger than 10t.
For L1 and L2, +10% / -8% for
individual tubes.
Seamless Tubes:
See thickness tolerance on page 3.

Only welded tubes specified

4% for consignments larger
than 150m
+10% / -8% for individual tubes.

Available lengths (m)

Standard Length: 6 or 6.4

Random length: 4 16, with
2 range
Exact Length: No limits set.

Random Length: 4m - 7m but can

include up to 7.5% of short
randoms (1.8 4m) and 5 / 7.5%
(depending on diameter) of joined
lengths.
Mill Length: 6.4 m
Approximate Length: By agreement
Exact Length: By agreement

EN 10255 has:
Longer random lengths.
No approximate lengths.
Standard lengths equating to
mill lengths.

Length tolerances (mm)

Standard Length:
Welded +150 / -50
Seamless 500
Random Length:
10% can be below range, but none
of these to be less than 3m long
(0.75 x 4m minimum)
Exact Length:
L 6m
+10 -0
6 < L 12m
+15 -0
L > 12m
+by agreement 0

Random Length: See details above

Mill length: - 0 +150 max.
Approximate Length: 150
Exact Length:+6 -0

EN 10255 has:
Changes to length tolerances.

Weld bead

External bead: trimmed flush.

Internal bead: not trimmed, height
60% of wall thickness. For tubes
to be galvanised, the internal bead
to be no higher than 0.3mm + (0.05
x wall thickness).

No requirement for bead trimming.

EN 10255 has:
New external weld bead trimming
requirement and control on ID
bead height. No option to trim
internal bead.

Straightness

33.7mm OD: deviation over tube

length L (in mm) not to exceed
0.002 x L.
< 33.7mm OD: reasonably straight.

1 in 500

Generally similar requirements.

Testing requirements

Tensile test, plus bend test or

flattening test (depending on OD),
leak tightness test, dimensional /
visual inspection.

Tensile test, plus bend test or

flattening test (depending on OD),
leak tightness test, bore test on
small diameter galvanised tube,
dimensional / visual inspection.

Tensile test

To EN10002-1

To BS18: part 4

Yield stress (min.)

(N/mm2)

195

195

Tensile strength range

(N/mm2)

320-520

320-460

Elongation (min.) (%)

20

20

Coatings

Supplied bare unless customer

chooses options for either
temporary protective coating or
galvanizing. Bare pipe may be
ordered as suitable for galvanizing
to EN10240 or EN ISO 1461.
Galvanized tube to be supplied to
EN10240 or EN ISO 1461 (various
coating quality options).

Supplied varnished unless

customer chooses options for
either bare or galvanized.

EN10002-1 has replaced BS18: part 4.

EN 10255 allows a higher maximum

tensile strength.

EN 10255 has:
Basic supply condition uncoated.
Options available.

Galvanising procedure and quality

specified within standard.

Notes

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Detailed Comparison between EN 10255:2004 & BS 1387:1985 (continued)

BS EN 10255:2004

BS 1387:1985

Notes

End condition

Supplied plain end unless customer

chooses options for threaded ends
or tube with socket. Customer may
also choose option to specify
socket type.

Supplied either plain end or

screwed and socketed. Customer
may specify screwed tube with
no sockets or sockets with a
taper thread.

EN 10255 has:
Basic supply condition plain end.
Options available.

End / thread protection

Supplied without unless customer

chooses options:
Plain end - end caps or plugs
(types at manufacturers discretion).
Threaded end - thread varnished or
with thread protection (types at
manufacturer's discretion).

No reference to end caps or plugs.

Customer option for thread
protection on threaded bare tube.
Threads on galvanized and
varnished tubes to be given a
protective coating (type to be at
manufacturer's discretion).

EN 10255 has:
Option to supply plain end tube
with end caps or plugs.

Inspection / certification

Non-specific in accordance with

EN10021. Certificate of compliance
with the order 2.1 in accordance
with EN10204. Customer option to
specify test report 2.2 in
accordance with EN10204.

Non-specific. No certificate sent

with order unless specifically
requested by the customer.
Where requested, certificate type
supplied would be equivalent of
EN10204 type 2.1.

EN 10255 requires certification

with order.

Documents may incorporate CE

marking after August 2005.
Marking on tube

Bundle labelling

Procedure for symbols not

specified, only that it should be by
a suitable and durable method

Only painted bands required.

Manufacturers mark.
W or S, for welded or seamless.
Thickness series / type: H, M, L,
L1 or L2. At the manufacturer's
discretion, the series / type
designation can be replaced by a
50 mm wide colour band as
follows:
L - Green
L1 - White
L2 - Brown
M - Blue
H - Red
Each tube to be marked as a
minimum within one metre of
one end.

50mm wide colour band.

Tubes < 4m long, - one band only.
Tubes > 4m long, - two bands, one
close to each end.

Each bundle to have a label

attached with the following
information:

No reference to labelling.

Manufacturers name or mark

EN 10255
W or S, for welded or seamless
The specified outside diameter
or thread size.
Series or type or specified wall
thickness.

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Light (L)
- Brown
Medium (M) - Blue
Heavy (H)
- Red

EN 10255 requires bundle labels.

Table 1: Comparison of Outside Diameters and Tolerances between EN 10255 & BS 1387
showing correlation between specified outside diameter (D), nominal diameter (DN) and thread size (R)
EN 10255
Specified
Outside
Diameter
(D)
(mm)

BS 1387
Nominal
Diameter

EN 10255 &
BS 1387
Thread
Designation

(DN)

(R)

EN 10255

EN 10255

EN 10255/
BS 1387

EN 10255

BS 1387

Type L

Type L1

EN 10255
Type L2 &
BS 1387 L
(mm)

Series
M&H

Series
M&H

Min

Min

Max

9.8

10.6

(mm)
Min

(mm)
Max

Min

Max

(mm)

Max

(mm)
Min

Max

13.5

17.2

10

21.3

15

26.9

20

1/
8
1/
4
3/
8
1/
2
3/
4

33.7

25

33.2

34.0

33.2

34.0

33.2

33.8

33.3

34.2

33.4

34.2

42.4

32

11/4

41.9

42.7

41.9

42.7

41.9

42.5

42.0

42.9

42.1

42.9

10.2

13.2

13.9

13.2

13.9

13.2

13.6

13.2

14.0

13.3

13.9

16.7

17.4

16.7

17.4

16.7

17.1

16.7

17.5

16.8

17.4

21.0

21.7

21.0

21.7

21.0

21.4

21.0

21.8

21.1

21.7

26.4

27.1

26.4

27.1

26.4

26.9

26.5

27.3

26.6

27.2

48.3

40

11/2

47.8

48.6

47.8

48.6

47.8

48.4

47.9

48.8

48.0

48.8

60.3

50

59.6

60.7

59.6

60.7

59.6

60.2

59.7

60.8

59.8

60.8

76.1

65

21/

75.2

76.0

75.2

76.3

75.2

76.0

75.3

76.6

75.4

76.6

88.9

80

87.9

88.7

87.9

89.4

87.9

88.7

88.0

89.5

88.1

89.5

31/2

100.3

101.2

101.6

114.3

100

113.0

113.9

113.0

114.9

113.0

113.9

113.1

115.0

113.3

114.9

139.7

125

138.5

140.8

138.5

140.8

138.7

140.6

165.1

150

163.9

166.5

163.9

165.1

164.1

166.1

Notes:

1) EN 10255 can be ordered by Outside Diameter (D) and thickness OR by thread size (R) and Series / Type (L, L1, L2, M, H).
2) BS 1387 is ordered by Nominal Diameter (DN) x L, M or H.

Table 2: Comparison of wall thickness between EN 10255 & BS 1387

also showing correlation between specified outside diameter (D), nominal diameter (DN) and thread size (R)
EN 10255
Specified
Outside
Diameter
(D) (mm)

BS 1387
Equivalent
Nominal
Diameter
(DN)

EN 10255 &
BS 1387
Thread
Designation
(R)

10.2

13.5

17.2

10

21.3

15

26.9

20

1/
8
1/
4
3/
8
1/
2
3/
4

33.7

25

42.4

32

11/

48.3

40

60.3

50

76.1
88.9

EN 10255

EN 10255

EN 10255

BS 1387

EN 10255

Type L
(mm)

Type L1
(mm)

Type L2
(mm)

L
(mm)

Series M
(mm)
(mm)

2.00

1.80

2.30

2.90

2.00

2.00

1.80

2.30

2.90

2.30

2.30

2.00

2.60

3.20

2.30

2.30

2.30

2.60

3.20

2.90

2.90

2.60

3.20

4.00

2.90

2.90

2.60

3.20

4.00

11/2

2.90

2.90

2.90

3.20

4.00

3.20

3.20

2.90

3.60

4.50

65

21/2

3.20

3.20

3.20

3.60

4.50

80

3.20

3.60

31/2

3.60

114.3

100

3.60

4.00

139.7

125

4.50

165.1

150

4.50

Notes:

2.00

3.20
-

2.60

4.00
-

BS 1387

Series H
(mm)
(mm)

EN 10255

2.00

101.6

BS 1387

5.00
-

3.60

4.50

5.40

5.00

5.40

5.00

5.40

1) EN 10255 can be ordered by Outside Diameter (D) and thickness OR by thread size (R) and Series / Type (L, L1, L2, M, H).
2) BS 1387 is ordered by Nominal Diameter (DN) x L, M or H.
EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

Table 3: Details of transition period for adoption of EN 10255 / withdrawal of BS1 387
Approximate Duration 1

Event

Anticipated Date

C omments

August 2004

Publication of EN 10255

This period allows time for any

necessary changes to be made to
National regulations and for existing
stocks of BS 1387 to be run down.
Either BS 1387 or EN 10255 can
be specified.
EN 10255 should also be announced
in the Official Journal of the European
Community during this period, with
this announcement setting the date of
applicability of EN 10255 as a
harmonized standard, i.e. the date
after which CE marking can
be applied.

Introduction Period

9 months

To May 20052

Implementation Period

12 months

To June 20062

A further period of co-existence for

BS 1387 and EN 10255 but CE
marking may be applied to EN 10255
products.

1 July 2006

EN 10255 is to be used exclusively and

CE marking applied.
(NOTE: CE marking is not mandatory in
the UK, Sweden or Irish Republic but will
be required elsewhere in mainland Europe).

Withdrawal of BS 1387

1
2

The duration periods shown are approximate and are based on an ideal situation.
EN 10255 has not yet been announced in the Official Journal of the European
Community and accordingly these dates can only be taken as approximate and
may be revised.

Table 4: Principal Standards referenced in EN 10255 and their equivalents in BS 1387

EN 10255

BS 1387
Equivalent Standard referenced
BS 18 (Replaced by EN 10002-1)

EN 10204

Title
Metallic materials Tensile testing Part 1:
Method of test at ambient temperature
Steel conversion of elongation values Part 1: carbon and low
alloy steels
Metallic products Types of inspection documents

EN 102321

Metallic materials Tube (in full section) Bend test

EN 102332

Metallic materials Tube Flattening test

EN 10240

Internal and/or external protective coatings for steel tubes

Specification for hot dip galvanized coatings applied in automatic plants
Steel threaded pipe fittings

Standard
EN 10002-1
EN ISO 2566-1

EN 10241
EN 10242
EN 10246-1

EN 10226-1

prEN 10226-2

EN ISO 1461

Threaded pipe fittings in malleable cast iron

Non destructive testing of steel tubes Part 1: Automatic electromagnetic
testing of seamless and welded (except submerged arc welded)
ferromagnetic steel tubes for verification of hydraulic leak tightness
Pipe threads where pressure-tight joints are made on the threads
Part 1: Taper external threads and parallel internal threads
Dimensions, tolerances and designation
Pipe threads where pressure-tight joints are made on the threads
Part 2: Taper external threads and taper internal threads
Dimensions, tolerances and designation
Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles
Specifications and test methods

EN 10255 transition from BS 1387

BS 3894 (Replaced by EN ISO 2566-1)

Manufacturer's certificate of
compliance (optional).
Specified within BS 1387,
not as a separate standard.
Specified within BS 1387,
not as a separate standard.
Specified within BS 1387,
not as a separate standard.
ISO 50 (Withdrawn.)
(BS 1740) (Replaced by EN 10241)
Not specified.
Eddy current test specified within
BS 1387 Appendix B, not as a
separate standard.
BS 21 (Part replaced by EN 10226-1)

BS 21 (Will be replaced when

EN 10226-2 is published.)
Specified within BS 1387, not
as a separate standard.

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information is accurate, but Corus Group plc,
including its subsidiaries, does not accept
responsibility or liability for errors or information
which is found to be misleading
Designed by Eikon Ltd

Corus Tubes
Structural & Conveyance Business
Sales Enquiries contact:
UK Sales office
P O Box 6024,
Weldon Road
C orby, Northants
NN17 5ZN
United Kingdom
T +44 (0)1536 402121
F +44 (0)1536 404127
www.corustubes.com
corustubes.s-c@corusgroup.com
Technical Helpline (UK Freephone)
0500 123133 or +44 (0) 1724 405060
English Language

Corus Tubes
Structural & Conveyance Business
Sales Enquiries contact:
Netherlands Sales office
Postbus 39
4900 B B Oosterhout
The Netherlands

T +31 (0)162 482300

F +31 (0)162 466161
corustubes.s-c@corusgroup.com

C T42:2000:U K:07/2005