What Counts as Shearing-Grade Steel? A Site Manager’s Quick Reference | Dunmow Group

This is a site manager’s reference. The article is structured for quick lookup, not slow reading. If you are standing in a yard with a load that needs to be taken to a scrap weighbridge within the next hour and you need to know whether it qualifies as shearing-grade steel, the sections below give you the answer in 60 seconds.

The 60-Second Answer

Shearing-grade steel is the BMRA Grade 1A: Plate and Structural ferrous category, the premium grade at any UK scrap weighbridge above HMS 1, HMS 2 and mixed iron. To qualify, your steel must meet four strict criteria:

• Thickness: at least 6 mm. Anything below 6 mm is not suitable for shearing.
• Dimensions: each piece must not exceed 1.50 m × 0.60 m. Larger pieces must be cut before weighing.
• Section: plate and structural only. Beams, columns, channels, angles, plate, cut sections. No light gauge, no profiled sheet, no rebar (rebar is a separate grade).
• Clean: free of concrete, asbestos, insulation, paint contamination, and non-ferrous attachments beyond normal tolerance.
• Universal beams (UB) and universal columns (UC): I-section and H-section structural steel from new-build offcuts and demolition. Cut to length where pieces exceed 1.50 m.
• Parallel flange channels (PFC): structural channel sections.
• Equal and unequal angle sections (RSA, UA): structural angle steel.
• Tee sections (T): rolled or fabricated tee.
• RHS and SHS hollow sections (6 mm wall thickness and above): rectangular and square hollow structural sections. Below 6 mm wall thickness, the section grades down to HMS 2.
• Heavy structural plate (6 mm thickness and above): mild steel plate, weathering steel plate, fabrication plate offcuts.
• Crop ends and offcuts: clean cuttings from fabrication shop work and from on-site cutting of structural members.
• Structural beam and column sections from demolished buildings: cut to length and free of concrete and fireproofing.
• Cut plate from demolished tanks, vessels, hoppers and silos (6 mm and above): drained, cleaned and sectioned.
• Bridge plate and structural sections: following appropriate decommissioning and cleaning.
• Industrial framing and substructure: structural steel from decommissioned plant rooms, factories, and warehouses.
• Light universal beams (UB 127 × 76 × 13 and similar): flange thickness is exactly 6 mm. Acceptable for shearing if the section meets all dimensional requirements; otherwise HMS 2.
• RHS and SHS at exactly 6 mm wall thickness: acceptable for shearing.
• Painted structural steel: acceptable if the paint is a standard protective coating; not acceptable if heavily coated or fireproofing-painted to the specified thickness.
• Galvanised structural steel: acceptable for shearing in moderate quantities. Large galvanised loads may be downgraded slightly because of the zinc content.
• Light gauge purlins, side rails and cladding rails: Z- and C-purlin secondary steelwork is typically 1.5 mm to 3 mm thick.
• Profiled steel sheet: cladding, roof decking, composite floor decking.
• Steel stud and track from light steel framing systems.
• Suspended ceiling grid components.
• HVAC ducting (light-gauge galvanised): grades as Light Iron 5C.
• Steel sheet below 6 mm: car body panels, white-goods bodies, and light decorative sheet.
• Steel reinforcing bar in any diameter: rebar grades at their own specific rates, settled separately. The high-density, alloy-specific composition makes it a distinct feedstock from shearing-grade structural steel. Do not mix rebar into a shearing load.
• Heavy-wall pipe (6 mm and above wall thickness): sometimes acceptable as shearing-equivalent on a case-by-case basis; weighbridge will confirm on inspection.
• Light-wall pipe and tube below 6 mm: grades as HMS 2 or Light Iron.
• Galvanised water and gas pipes: separate route, typically HMS 2.
• Engine blocks, machine tool castings, manhole covers, cast iron pipe, Victorian radiators: cast iron grades are processed at their own rate, materially different from shearing. The high carbon content (2-4%) versus structural steel (<0.3%) creates a distinct feedstock for secondary foundries. Do not mix cast iron with shearing.
• Concrete-encased structural steel from demolition: must be broken out and cleaned before weighing, not sheared.
• Asbestos-clad steel: rejected outright until certified asbestos-free by a licensed contractor.
• Fireproof-clad painted steel: the intumescent or cementitious coating must be removed before the steel qualifies for shearing.
• Steel with heavy non-ferrous attachments: brass, copper or aluminium attachments must be separated and sold at non-ferrous rates.
• White goods (washing machines, ovens, etc.): WEEE-routed under the WEEE Regulations 2013; graded as Light Iron 5C after depollution. See our Light Iron Explained pillar article.
• Vehicle bodies: depolluted ELV bodies are routed to the fragmentiser feed, not sheared.
• Metal furniture (filing cabinets, desks, lockers): Light Iron 5C.
• Garden gates, railings, fencing (light gauge): Light Iron 5C.
• Shearing OA (Grade 1A): the premium grade. Plate and structural at 6 mm and above, within dimensions of 1.50 m × 0.60 m.
• HMS 1 (Heavy Melting Steel 1): clean heavy plate and section steel, similar dimensions but with less stringent contamination tolerance. Settles slightly below Shearing OA.
• HMS 2 (Heavy Melting Steel 2): lighter-section steel that does not meet the Shearing dimensional or thickness criteria. Falls below HMS 1.
• Light Iron 5C (Loose Old Light Steel): loose, old, light steel material. Settles below HMS 2.
• Mixed Iron: unsegregated ferrous, settles at the lowest of the visible mix grades.
• Light gauge mixed with heavy plate: the load defaults to HMS 1 or HMS 2 unless segregated.
• Concrete residue from demolition: breaks out and cleans before weighing.
• Asbestos in any form: rejected outright until certified asbestos-free.
• Fireproofing coating: intumescent paint at the specified film thickness, cementitious coating, or mineral-fibre cladding. Must be removed.
• Significant non-ferrous attachments: copper grounding straps, brass fittings, and aluminium connectors. Remove and sell separately at non-ferrous rates.
• Pieces exceeding 1.50 m × 0.60 m must be cut on site before delivery.
• Mixed with rebar, cast iron or light section: separate by grade.
• Wet, oily, or fluid-contaminated steel: drain and dry before delivery.
• Licensing: every scrap metal dealer must hold a council-issued site licence or a collector’s licence. Dunmow Group holds full site licences for each of our three Essex facilities. [4][5]
• Cashless payment (Section 12): It is a criminal offence to pay for scrap metal in cash, with no exemptions. Permitted methods are non-transferable (“crossed”) cheques or electronic transfers. For construction trade accounts, settlement is by monthly electronic transfer, with a full breakdown of transactions. [6]
• ID verification: dealers must verify identity (UK photocard driving licence or passport, supported by proof of address dated within the previous three months where required) before each transaction. For trade accounts, verification is completed at account opening. [6]
• Record-keeping: every transaction is logged (seller, ID, vehicle registration, material, weight, price, payment method), and records are retained for at least three years for inspection by police or council enforcement officers. [4][6]

If your load meets all four criteria, it is shearing-grade and settles at the premium ferrous rate. If it fails any criterion, it is HMS 1, HMS 2 or mixed iron, depending on which criterion it fails. The rest of this article explains each criterion in detail and provides a reference list of common items that qualify and those that do not.

I have run liquid waste and metals operations across Essex and the South East for many years, joining the Dunmow Group team when Dunmow acquired EWD. Shearing grading is one of the most consistently misunderstood ferrous categories on UK construction sites, and getting it right on site, before the load reaches the weighbridge, is the lever that captures the premium rate.

Is This Shearing? The Site Manager’s Decision Tool

Use this in sequence. Stop at the first NO; the answer is that the item is not sheared.

Question 1: Is it ferrous?

YES if: a magnet sticks to it.

NO if: the magnet does not adhere. Non-ferrous materials (copper, brass, aluminium, stainless 300-series) go to a separate stream and settle at a different rate. Stainless 400-series is magnetic but is a different grade entirely.

Question 2: Is the material thickness at least 6 mm?

YES if: the section thickness, plate thickness, or member wall thickness is 6 mm or more. Most structural beams, columns, channels, and heavy plate qualify.

NO if: the section is thinner than 6 mm. Light gauge framing, thin sheet, profiled steel sheet, RHS and SHS hollow sections with wall thickness below 6 mm, and light gauge purlins and rails do not qualify. These typically grade as HMS 2 or Light Iron 5C.

Question 3: Is each piece within 1.50 m × 0.60 m maximum dimensions?

YES if: the longest dimension is 1.50 m or less and the widest face is 0.60 m or less.

NO if: the piece exceeds these limits in length or width. Cut the piece on site to bring it within the dimensions. This is the most commonly missed criterion for construction-site loads. Long beam offcuts, large plates, and structural sections that exceed the limits need shearing or torch-cutting before weighing.

Question 4: Is the item plate, structural section, or cut structural arising?

YES if: the item is a steel plate, an I-beam, an H-column, a channel, an angle, an RHS or SHS hollow section (with wall thickness 6 mm or more), a tee section, or a cut piece of structural steel.

NO if: the item is rebar (separate ferrous grade), pipe (usually separate), light-gauge framing, profiled steel sheet, expanded metal, mesh, or thin tubing.

Question 5: Is the item free of significant contamination?

YES if: the steel is substantially free of concrete, paint, insulation, asbestos, non-ferrous attachments, plastic, rubber, oil and fluid contamination. Small amounts of weathering, surface rust, residual paint and minor non-ferrous fasteners are acceptable.

NO if: the item is significantly contaminated. Concrete-encased steel from demolition, asbestos-clad structural sections, fireproof-clad steel, steel with attached insulation residue, steel with significant non-ferrous attachments (heavy copper or brass fittings), or oil-soaked steel from industrial decommissioning does not qualify for shearing until cleaned or sectioned.

Question 6: Is the provenance documented?

YES if: the steel originates from a documented construction site (new-build offcuts), a demolition project (with appropriate consents), or industrial decommissioning. The load can be traced back to its origin.

NO if: the provenance is unclear or suggests theft. Steel without documented provenance is rejected under SMDA 2013, regardless of physical grade. Bring the relevant Waste Transfer Note, site reference, or contractor identification with the load.

If all six answers are YES, the load qualifies as shearing-grade and is charged at the premium ferrous rate. If any answer is NO, the load is graded at the next tier down (HMS 1, HMS 2, Light Iron or mixed iron), depending on which criterion failed.

Items That Qualify as Shearing-Grade Steel

A reference list of common items. Where dimensional cutting is required, each piece must be brought within 1.50 m × 0.60 m.

Structural Steel Sections (qualify)

Demolition Arisings (qualify if cut and cleaned)

Borderline Cases (case-by-case at weighbridge)

Items That Do Not Qualify as Shearing-Grade Steel

These all grade as HMS 1, HMS 2, Light Iron, or other categories. Separate them at source so they do not contaminate a clean shearing load.

Light Gauge and Thin Section (do not qualify, grade as HMS 2 or Light Iron)

Rebar (separate grade, not shearing)

Pipe and Tubular (typically separate, not shearing)

Cast Iron (separate ferrous grade)

Contaminated Steel (rejected pending cleaning)

Non-Structural Steel Items (do not qualify)

The BMRA Grade 1A Specification: The Regulatory Basis

The formal regulatory basis for shearing-grade steel in the UK is the BMRA, UK Steel and Cast Metals Federation UK Specifications for Metals Recycling for Ferrous Raw Materials (3rd Edition, 2025), which defines Grade 1A: Plate and Structural Steel as follows: [1]

“OA Plate and structural, consisting of cut structural and plate arisings, predominantly 6 mm thick, in sizes not exceeding 1.50 m × 0.60 m.”

The specification is used by UK and European electric arc furnace mills (Liberty Steel, Celsa, British Steel and others) and secondary steel producers to define the feedstock for which they will pay the premium rate. The 6 mm thickness threshold reflects the metallic density per cubic metre of furnace charge required for efficient operation. The 1.50 m × 0.60 m dimensional limit reflects the size envelope that can be handled by the receiving site’s shears, shredders and furnace charging equipment without further sectioning. [1][2]

The relationship between Shearing OA and the adjacent ferrous grades:

For a site manager handling new-build offcuts or demolition arisings, the operational lever is the same: cut to the 1.50 m × 0.60 m envelope, keep the load clean, segregate it from other grades, and present it at the weighbridge in a dedicated container. Each step closes the gap to the premium Shearing OA rate.

What Contaminates a Shearing Load and Drops It to HMS

Even under a clean shearing load, contamination can lower the grade:

For a site manager overseeing a continuous flow of construction or demolition, the trade account model removes per-load grading uncertainty. Dunmow’s RoRo containers delivered to your site allow your team to load shearing-only into one container and downgrade material into separate containers, capturing the rate for each grade rather than defaulting the whole load.

The Law: Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

Every legitimate shearing-grade steel transaction in England and Wales is governed by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (SMDA 2013), which took effect on 1 October 2013 in direct response to the UK metal theft crisis. Construction site steel theft (particularly of heritage and listed-building steel, scaffolding components, and unsecured site material) remains a recurring enforcement focus. [3][4]

Four core requirements apply to every legitimate shearing transaction:

For site managers, the practical implication is that the construction project’s Waste Transfer Note paperwork integrates with the SMDA transaction record. The audit trail is complete from the construction site to the permitted receiving site, which is what BREEAM Wst 01 / Wst 02 and Section 106 sustainability evidence require anyway.

How a Shearing Weighbridge Transaction Should Work

At a properly run facility, the process is the same every time. If a buyer skips a step, it is a signal that something is wrong.

1. Weighed in (gross). The loaded vehicle is weighed on a calibrated weighbridge.
2. Identity verified. The seller presents photographic ID. For trade accounts, credentials are verified.
3. Material is inspected and graded. A trained operator inspects the load, applies the four shearing criteria (thickness, dimensions, section type, cleanliness), checks for contamination and prohibited items, and assigns the grade (Shearing OA, HMS 1, HMS 2, Light Iron, mixed iron, or rejected pending cleaning).
4. Material discharged. Each grade is tipped into its designated bay.
5. Weighed out (tare). The empty vehicle is reweighed; net weight is gross weight minus tare.
6. Ticket issued and payment processed. The weighbridge ticket records all transaction details, including the grade-by-grade breakdown. Payment is processed by electronic transfer, normally on the same day, at our Chelmsford metals facility.

The Trade Account Advantage for Construction Site Managers

For demolition contractors, structural steel contractors, M&E project managers, civil engineering firms and infrastructure project teams that generate shearing-grade steel continuously, a trade account is the operational solution. A Dunmow Group trade account offers:

• Pre-verified ID and account details: no repeated verification on each visit.
• Monthly statement settlement for all ferrous and non-ferrous deliveries, eliminating per-visit administration.
• Priority weighbridge access at our Chelmsford metals facility.
• Roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) containers are delivered to construction sites in 20, 30 and 40 cubic yard capacities. For sites generating both shearing-grade and downgrade material, multiple containers are used to segregate the streams at source.
• Scheduled container exchanges are coordinated around your construction programme, not around our convenience.
• Mixed-load handling for site teams generating shearing, HMS, light iron, cast iron and non-ferrous from the same project. One drop, one ticket, grade-by-grade settlement.
• BREEAM Wst 01 / Wst 02 evidence documentation demonstrating diversion-from-landfill rates for ESG and sustainability reporting.
• Section 106 compliance documentation for cases where the local planning authority has imposed waste-related obligations.
• Waste Transfer Notes and ISO-certified documentation are standard, covered by our ISO 9001/14001/45001 accreditations. [7]
• Chelmsford Metals: Regiment Business Park, Eagle Way, Chelmsford CM3 3FY. Mon to Fri 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Colchester (Brightlingsea): Morses Lane, Brightlingsea CO7 0SD. Mon to Fri 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sat 7:00 am to 12:30 pm.
• Clacton: Gorse Lane Industrial Estate, Stephenson Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4XA. Mon to Fri 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sat 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.
• Passion: We care that each construction site seller leaves the weighbridge with the correct grade, weight and price. Shearing grading is a technical discipline; my team and our weighbridge operators apply the BMRA criteria consistently across every transaction and clearly explain grading decisions when a load falls short.
• Innovation: Calibrated digital weighbridges, grade-by-grade live ticketing, BREEAM-evidence documentation via the digital customer portal, electronic same-day settlement, and integrated Waste Transfer Note paperwork reduce site administration and increase transparency. The site manager’s regulatory burden is minimised because the receiving site assumes it.
• Trust: Fully licensed under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, ISO 9001/14001/45001 certified, Environment Agency-permitted as a metals recycling facility, and aligned with the BMRA and UK Steel and Cast Metals Federation 3rd Edition specifications. Every payment is electronic, every transaction is logged, and every grade is defensible.
• Community: Essex is our home. The construction sites, demolition contractors, structural steel teams and infrastructure projects across our county form the backbone of our shearing weighbridge, alongside our broader trade base. UK construction and demolition waste achieves 95%+ landfill diversion for metals; site managers choosing the right ferrous routing contribute directly to that national performance.
• Hard Work: A tight, professional operation that delivers value for money without compromising accuracy, safety or compliance. Shearing grading rewards site preparation; our weighbridge team’s job is to reward that preparation by applying the rate the load actually deserves.

This is what running a tight ship looks like on the customer side: fast, easy, reliable, and fully compliant for every transaction.

Dunmow Group: Where Your Shearing Becomes Same-Day Cash

We operate three scrap metal weighbridge facilities across Essex (Chelmsford, Colchester/Brightlingsea, and Clacton), accepting all categories of ferrous and non-ferrous metal, including shearing-grade structural steel. Our dedicated metals weighbridge at Chelmsford handles the highest volume of construction and demolition steel, with grade-by-grade inspection, dimensional verification, and same-day electronic payment to the seller’s nominated account. [8]

That same-day payment is the operational standard we hold ourselves to. Do what we say. It is the first of our three customer commitments, and on the shearing weighbridge it means a clear grade ticket, an accurate weight, a verified grade, a fair price, and payment processed before the seller leaves the site.

For construction sites with active steel flow, we deliver RoRo containers (20, 30 or 40 cubic yards) directly to site, schedule exchanges around your programme, and settle your trade account on monthly terms, with full BREEAM and Section 106 evidence documentation.

Our Commitment: PITCH in Practice on the Shearing Weighbridge

Our five core values, Passion, Innovation, Trust, Community, Hard Work (PITCH), are how we run the ferrous metals operation, not a poster on the wall.

Choosing Dunmow Group means choosing a partner that is safe and compliant, delivers great value, and makes the entire shearing recycling process fast and easy for construction site teams. We hold ourselves to three operational drivers for every weighbridge ticket.

The Bottom Line

Shearing-grade steel is the premium ferrous category at the UK weighbridge: BMRA Grade 1A Plate and Structural, defined by four hard criteria (thickness 6 mm and above, dimensions within 1.50 m × 0.60 m, plate or structural section, substantially clean). Meeting all four criteria captures the premium rate; failing any one drops the grade to HMS 1, HMS 2, Light Iron, or mixed iron, depending on where the load falls short.

For site managers, the operational approach is consistent across all projects. Apply the six-question decision tool on site (ferrous, thickness, dimensions, section type, cleanliness, provenance), use the qualify/don’t-qualify reference list to sort the load into the appropriate containers, cut oversized pieces to the 1.50 m × 0.60 m envelope before dispatch, segregate downgraded material into separate containers, and bring the load to a licensed, BMRA-aligned weighbridge with the documentation chain intact.

What matters in every shearing transaction is weighing at a licensed, calibrated, professionally run facility, with valid ID, traceable payment, BREEAM and Section 106 evidence documentation where applicable, and a ticket that breaks the load down grade by grade. That is what we do at Dunmow Group, and it is why construction site teams across Essex consistently recover more value through our weighbridge than they would with a mixed-grade settlement elsewhere.

Bring your shearing to Dunmow Group at Chelmsford, Colchester or Clacton, and weigh in with confidence. For construction sites with continuous structural steel output, open a trade account and we will deliver the containers to you.

Chelmsford: 01245 466646 | Clacton: 01255 360031 | Colchester: 01206 307070 | dunmowgroup.com | WhatsApp: 07902 802802

References & Citations

[1] British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), UK Steel and Cast Metals Federation: UK Specifications for Metals Recycling for Ferrous Raw Materials, 3rd Edition (2025), Grade 1A: Plate and Structural Steel specification. https://www.recyclemetals.org

[2] BMRA Acceptance Criteria for Bulk UK Ferrous Scrap (industry guidance on quality and safety, applicable to HMS 1, HMS 2, OA Plate and Girder, Light Iron 5B/5C and WEEE grades). https://www.recyclemetals.org/newsandarticles/bmra-publishes-quality-and-safety-guidance.html

[3] BBC News: Cable theft delays on railways fall sharply (80% reduction following SMDA 2013, illustrating broader Act effectiveness across all metal theft categories). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29109733

[4] Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 | legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/10/contents

[5] Dunmow Group: Certifications & Permits. https://www.dunmowgroup.com/about-us/documents/

[6] Home Office Supplementary Guidance: Cashless payment (Section 12) and identity verification under SMDA 2013. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scrap-metal-dealers-act-2013-supplementary-guidance/scrap-metal-dealers-act-2013-supplementary-guidance-accessible

[7] Dunmow Group: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 accreditations. https://www.dunmowgroup.com/about-us/documents/

[8] Dunmow Group: Scrap Metal Recycling Essex. https://www.dunmowgroup.com/scrap-metal-essex/

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