Inspection and Testing to Ensure the Quality of End Product in Construction Works

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Quality assurance in construction activities is achieved through the implementation of Inspection and test plans (ITPs). ITPs are developed for each construction activity based on the technical specifications required for such activity.

The Purpose of Inspection and Testing Plan

An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) is an essential part in a QA system in a construction project. Its a document that defines and records all inspection and testing requirements of any particular construction activity or process. For example, in a construction project it can be either a construction activity or a specific component of work or a trade or a production work. Specifically, ITP defines: The construction activities and associated work practices, work items and materials to be inspected or tested, Who is responsible for inspection and testing and at what stage and the frequency of inspection and testing should be carried out; Hold and Witness Points (a point or stage beyond which work activity should not proceed without the approval of the client or the clients representatives) Applicable standards, acceptance benchmarks and the records to be maintained;

Why an ITP is required in Construction?

The Inspection and Testing Plan (ITP) is the principal document that essentially controls the quality of all activities and processes in any construction project. ITPs should not only be accepted by all parties involved in the project but also should be introduced at the inception of the construction project. The ITP should address the following: What are the quality targets to be achieved in terms of technical and contract specifications (or conditions) of the construction project; Who will be responsible for inspection and testing and their responsibilities in terms of the contract What are methods, procedures and any other instructions to be employed during inspection and testing

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Methods and frequency of inspections, testing and criteria of conformance How do you amend or revise (or procedures) the ITP to suit the changing conditions during the progress of the project? How to adhere to inspection check lists prepared for each construction activity?

Who is Responsible for ITP?

Generally the Main Contractor is responsible for preparation and implementation of ITP for any construction project. Preferably, the Contractor should ensure that his sub-contractors prepare the required inspection and testing plan for the work activities and processes carried out by them. However, one should note that the overall responsibility for ITP lies with the main contractor.

Steps Involved in verifying ITPs for a Construction Project/Contract

1. Study the contract documents and the technical specifications. 2. Prepare a list of queries associated with missing information, any ambiguities or discrepancies related to applicable standards of materials and workmanship. 3. Consult the client or the clients representatives and try to resolve the issues identified in item 2. 4. Identify the construction activities that need ITPs and checklists. 5. Identify the Hold and Witness Points as specified in the contract document and by the client. 6. Evaluate the contract clauses that have significant influence on quality and workmanship requirements. Here, you need to assess the consequence on the progress of the project owing to non-compliance or non-conformity of quality on an activity. At this stage, it is essential to include relevant information pertaining to tests, quality standards when submitting ITP for Clients approval. 7. Finalize the checklists after reviewing it with all the parties involved in the relevant activities. The advice and the inputs given by the experienced staff (and lessons learned on previous/similar construction works) are vital for identifying the issues that could cause costly rectification and delays. 8. Finalize the ITP in line with the conditions stipulated in contract documents. Similarly the ITP should essentially complement the Quality Management Plan or Quality Management System (ISO9001) if already in place. 9. Timely submission of ITP for each earmarked activity to Client. If any clients observations and comments have to be taken into account and amended the ITP accordingly

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10. Ensure that proper awareness of the ITP among the personnel directly involved on each ITP. This means, proper training and awareness and involvement of workers from the beginning of preparation of ITP are a must. 11. Confirm the procedures needed for reporting of Witness and Hold Points to the relevant responsible person.

Contents of ITP:
Preparation of ITP s should consider the following: The nature and complexity of the work or the construction activity ; Whether there is access for inspection and testing; What will be the resulting consequences in case of failure:- cost of remedial or rectification work involved, effect on the progress, accessibility and how easily rectification could be carried out, any disruption to adjacent buildings or structures, progressive damage to other elements of the construction, safety of workers or public and availability of adequate resources. The frequency of inspection and testing will have to be decided in accordance with the conditions of contract and the type of inspection and testing required for the activity. In essence, certain inspection and testing will be carried out using suitable frequency and sampling or statistical methods. This involves selection of appropriate representative sampling for large works. Sampling size and frequency could be increases or decreased based on the evidence on conformity during the progress of construction activities. Record keeping or documentary evidence is vital to conform that the quality of completed activity or the product meets the requirements of the contract. Hence, the records can be in the form of checklists, test reports, certificates of compliance or conformity, approvals and survey and statistical data. Reference to applicable specifications, codes of practices and standards. For example, reference should be made to: Contract document, construction drawings, design calculations, technical specifications or procedures, approved samples, regulatory requirements, and Australian & International standards, manufacturers specifications, and acceptance criteria.

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The required inspection and test procedures for the activity. In order to have consistent and reliable test results, the procedures for inspection and testing and recording have to be clearly defined in the ITP. For example:- identification of test areas, the batch number, frequency of sampling, the method on which the samples to be taken, method of testing, the qualification of personnel involved in testing, proper calibration of equipment and measuring equipment, the documentation and recording have to be covered under ITP procedures. Whether the top management of the contractor has appointed key quality and testing representatives to carry out the inspection and testing as required by the contract. Whether adequate resources such as manpower, laboratories, field measuring and testing equipment are provided. Whether the ITPs are updated regularly in order to accommodate changes on clients or project requirements. In essence, the validity of the ITPs in relation to the current requirements. Whether the contractor has the procedures (or plan) in place to monitoring, measurement, and analysis required to conform that the work is carried according to required specification, workmanship and quality.

The details given above show that inspection and testing is a vital component on any construction contract that ensures quality end product.

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2012 Ensafe (www.ensafe.com.au)