Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177525
ADVERTORIAL NEW PRECAST CONCRETE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DEFINED BY INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The alarm clock goes off at 5:00 a.m., beginning another day of inspections for the third party auditors who conduct CPCI's unannounced plant audits. So when these practicing engineers are in the field certifying precasters, they start their days early and end them late. Although monumental in practice, auditing is elegantly simple in design. An auditor's task is to compare exactly what a plant is doing to produce each precast component against published industry standards including CSA A23.4 Precast concrete - Materials and construction, PCI Structural QC Manual MNL-116 and PCI Architectural QC Manual MNL-117. These standards total more than 600 pages of meticulous requirements and procedures, refined over the last 26 years. They are the magnifying glass through which an auditor examines a participating plant. This careful examination ensures that the management of a CPCI-certified plant is committed to following exhaustive quality-control procedures on a daily basis. All members of the building team can take comfort in both the auditors' diligence and the willingness of the precasters to voluntarily open their doors for two unannounced audits each year, every year. Purpose of Audits Meaning of Certification Determine the conformity or nonconformity of the manufacturer's quality system and finished products with the specified requirements, determine the effectiveness of the implemented quality system in meeting specified quality objectives provide the Manufacturer with an opportunity to improve their quality system, confirm that the Manufacturer meets the regulatory requirements. CPCI plant certification is more than simply a reassurance for designers. Indeed, if designers weren't aware of the program's existence, precasters still would invite auditors to look at their processes. They know the auditor is a valuable conduit for communicating the industry's culture and latest concepts for quality control. Participating in an audit is similar to going to the doctor for a check up. Without it, one may just assume that everything is okay - until it's too late. As with today's doctor, a CPCI auditor puts in long hours. "In order to see everything we need to see, we basically set our watch to the plant's production and QC schedule for the two days we're at the precast plant," says auditor Wayne Kassian, one of the auditors from Kassian Dyck and Associates of Calgary, Alberta. "In order to ensure precast concrete components are manufactured according to stringent industry standards, we spend many long hours examining the plant, their personnel and the products" says Kassian. Most precast components cure overnight and are scheduled to be stripped from the form early the next morning. Before the production crew can do this, the quality-control department must demonstrate that the concrete has reached its required strength. Certification Reduces Cost More than anything, CPCI plant certification reduces project costs. Buildings and bridges remain functional longer and remain more durable for more years as a result of this commitment to quality fabrication at the structure's inception. This cost goes directly to the project's bottom line. By reducing the amount of maintenance and repair, recouping initial cost is a virtual certainty. Over time, owners who lease space are paid back several fold by structures built with precast concrete produced in a CPCI certified plant. Many architects, engineers, contractors and owners already appreciate CPCI Certification and what it can do for them. All ready the program has transportation officials in Alberta specifying the new CPCI certification program. What are the important benefits to owners, architects, engineers and contractors? 1. Easy identification of plants committed to fulfill the highest level of certification available in North America. 2. Assurance that bidders have demonstrated their ability to manufacture quality products and have an ongoing quality system in place. 3. Certified manufacturers with a confirmed capability to produce superior products and systems 4. Get the job done right the first time - saving time, money and headaches 5. Quality products help speed erection and reduce construction time. 6. Deal with established producers who have earned a reputation for superior, reliable workmanship. 7. No additional cost to you - CPCI Certified manufacturers pay the ongoing fees that are comparable with the existing CSA program. 8. Increased assurance to owners and designers that CPCI Certified manufacturers will furnish products ideally suited for each project. WHY A NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM? CSA International has been certifying precast concrete plants since 1970. By the mid 1990's, the certification program moved away from plant certification process certification) to product certification with a focus on documentation and report-keeping rather than a focus on the operation as a whole. CSA International is a separate division of CSA involved in the testing and certification of a wide range of products and systems. It is not a requirement of the National Building Code, Provincial Building Codes or CSA Standards that products and systems be certified by CSA International. CPCI has reintroduced an updated audit based process certification program to ensure conformance to CSA A23.4 and related standards. This program will reintroduce strict measurable nationwide standards for precast certification. CPCI Certification will be a superior program at no additional cost. For a PDF or print of CPCI Certification Program Brochure contact CPCI at: info@ cpci.ca or phone (877) 937 2724 or go to www.precastcertification.ca Brian J. Hall B.B.A., MBA Managing Director Sustainability & Business Development Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute www.cpci.ca How to specify CPCI certification? Many architects, engineers, contractors and owners already know how to specify CPCI Certification Program. Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) new TEC-AID'S for 03 45 00 Architectural Precast Concrete and 03 41 00 Structural Precast/Prestressed Concrete contains the following Clauses 1.8 Quality Assurance: .1 Manufacturer: must meet requirements of CSA A23.4, including Appendices A and B, with PCI MNL-116 and 117 and CPCI certification requirements .2 Manufacturer: certified to Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) Certification Program. CANADIAN PRECAST/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE INSTITUTE p.16-17Ads.indd 17 Precast Concrete… Sustainable Structures for Tomorrow! 1/23/12 10:09:45 AM