AS/NZS 1163 Structural Hollow Sections: Buyer Checks for CHS, SHS, and RHS
AS 1163 is commonly used in steel sourcing as shorthand for AS/NZS 1163, the Australian and New Zealand standard associated with cold-formed structural steel hollow sections. In buyer language, this usually means CHS, SHS, and RHS material for structural fabrication.
The standard name is only the start of a purchase specification. Buyers still need to state section type, grade, dimensions, wall thickness, length, finish, documents, and delivery terms.
For product context, see this as1163 reference.
Hollow Section Forms
Structural hollow sections are commonly supplied as CHS, SHS, and RHS. CHS means circular hollow section. SHS means square hollow section. RHS means rectangular hollow section.
Each form suits different connection and load needs. RHS may work well for frames and rectangular layouts. SHS can simplify symmetrical connections. CHS may be selected for appearance, torsion, or specific structural design.
The design should control the section form. Do not substitute one form for another based only on availability.
Grade and Project Requirement
AS/NZS 1163 projects may specify grades such as C250, C350, or C450 depending on the design and market requirement. Grade affects mechanical properties and should not be changed without approval.
If a supplier offers an alternate grade, keep it separate from the compliant quote. The engineer or project owner should approve any change in standard or grade.
Dimensions and Wall Thickness
For SHS and RHS, list outside dimensions and wall thickness. For CHS, list outside diameter and wall thickness. Include length requirements and tolerance where important.
Wall thickness affects strength, weight, welding, connection design, and cost. A quote with the wrong wall may look cheaper but fail design review.
Finish and Fabrication
Hollow sections may be supplied bare, oiled, primed, painted, galvanized, or prepared for further fabrication. If the sections will be welded, drilled, cut, or hot-dip galvanized, coordinate the finish with the fabricator.
For visible structures, surface appearance and handling marks may matter. For structural packages, traceability and compliance documents may matter more.
Documents and Traceability
Buyers may need MTCs, heat traceability, dimensional inspection, compliance statements, and packing lists. Ask for these documents before quotation.
If material will be used in a certified structural project, document control should match the project quality plan. Marking by size, grade, heat, and bundle can reduce receiving errors.
Search and RFQ Wording
The correct SERP for this topic is standard-led when the query includes the steel context. Sourcing teams should write the standard name clearly in RFQs, emails, and search queries. Use “AS/NZS 1163 structural steel hollow sections” rather than only the compact standard number.
This reduces supplier misunderstanding and aligns the inquiry with CHS, SHS, RHS, grade, dimensions, and documentation rather than unrelated results.
Compare supplier quotes by standard, grade, section form, dimensions, wall thickness, length, finish, tolerance, documents, packing, and delivery time. If any quote leaves the standard unclear, ask before approving it.
RFQ Checklist
Include AS/NZS 1163, grade, section form, dimensions, wall thickness, length, finish, tolerance, documents, packing, marking, and delivery terms. If the destination market requires special compliance documents, state that before production.
Final Advice
AS/NZS 1163 should be used as part of a complete hollow section specification, not as a stand-alone purchase description. Define the required form and grade, then lock documents before comparing supplier prices.
For procurement, the safest RFQ wording is direct: “AS/NZS 1163 structural steel hollow sections, grade as specified, SHS/RHS/CHS as listed, dimensions and wall thickness per MTO, MTC required.”
If a supplier proposes material to another standard, request a line-by-line comparison. Check grade, mechanical properties, dimensions, tolerances, finish, documents, and whether the project owner accepts the substitute. Treat it as an alternate until approval is written.
Receiving teams should check bundle markings, section size, wall thickness, grade, and documents before the material enters fabrication. Once hollow sections are cut or mixed, traceability becomes harder to control.
For projects outside Australia, confirm whether AS 1163 is the required standard or whether another hollow-section standard is acceptable. Some suppliers may be more familiar with ASTM A500, EN 10219, or other regional standards. Similar section dimensions do not make those standards automatically interchangeable.
If the project specification names AS 1163, keep that requirement visible in every quotation, proforma invoice, packing list, and inspection document. This reduces the chance that a supplier ships generic hollow sections under an informal description.
Clear wording also helps internal review. Procurement, engineering, QA, and the supplier should all be looking at the same standard, grade, and section list before production starts.
