Posted by Ed Caldeira on Sun, Jan 10, 2010 @ 10:08 PM
This is the first in a series designed for general contractors to take some of the frustration out of understanding your client’s quality assurance and quality control plan requirements.
It's also intended to help you develop a quality plan to meet those requirements.
Here are a few steps to follow:
1. Identify all the quality requirements within your contract
There's usually a quality assurance specifications section in your contract. That's where most of your quality requirements will be.
Also check other sections for “quality assurance” and “submittals” subheadings where your client may list additional requirements. These requirements will be a combination of project-specific, client-specific and industry standard requirements.
2. Know which construction industry quality standards you need to address
There are two widely used construction industry standards for quality:
You can download a copy of the USACE and FTA standards from our website by clicking on the links above.
Both of these construction industry standards are variations of ISO9000 quality standards.
3. Make an action items list of your requirements
Since most contract specifications are in paragraph or narrative form, it will be helpful to break the requirements down into an actionable list. Hint: Just look for the action verbs.
Below, I’ve highlighted action items by their action verb in FTA industry standard - Element 1: Management Responsibility
“... Management should designate a representative who shall have defined authority and responsibility for ensuring that the quality policy is implemented and maintained. Management should also identify those persons responsible for the quality assurance function and should define in writing the responsibility, authority, and interrelation of those persons.”
4. Create a Cross-Reference Table or Checklist for Each RequirementNext, cross-reference the sections of your quality plan that meet your contract requirements with the requirements you've identified.
This will help you keep all of your contract requirements straight and make sure you address each one in your quality plan submittal.
To see a cross-reference tables of how our quality plans conform to the FTA and USACE requirements, click on the following links:
Cross-Reference Table - FTA Quality Assurance Quality Control Guidelines
Cross-Reference Table - USACE Quality Control Requirements
For some more examples of quality manual, project plan and SOPs that meet contract requirements, look at the Table of Contents and some sample pages from our quality plans.
Need help figuring out your contract requirements or developing your construction quality plan submittal?
Contact me for a free contract specifications review.
Posted by Ed Caldeira on Mon, Dec 07, 2009 @ 12:37 PM
Ask any superintendent or subcontractor and they’ll tell you they install products the right way. After all, they’ve been in construction a long time, right?
This may surprise many of you, but almost every time I compare the manufacturer’s installation instructions with how a product was installed or built on the jobsite I find major differences.
If you don’t believe me, look closely at any critical building product installation. Take windows for example, bring the manufacturer’s instructions to your jobsite and compare the jobsite installation for flashings, sealants, shimming, and fastening, etc. with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Chances are, you’ll see that there’s a difference. It’s important for you to find these errors before they turn into costly defects or legal actions.
Here are five steps to making sure you are building it right.
1. Get the Specifications
First, you’ll need to know how to build it right. With most specifications on the internet, you can easily find product installation specifications on the manufacturer’s website. Also, review building code and industry standards.
2. Jobsite Verification
Second, observe an installation and compare what you see to the specifications. When you find a discrepancy, take pictures of details so you can refer to them later.
3. Define the Right Way
Third, if there is a discrepancy, ask the installer why they use the method they do. Not all differences mean that the installation is wrong. Your installer’s method might be better. Show them the specification and ask for their opinion.
Call the product manufacturer if you need additional insights. In the end, you will decide what the right way is for your company. If necessary, obtain a letter from your engineer or product manufacturer approving your alternative method.
4. Train, Train, Train
When you find a product that’s not being installed correctly, create a hotspot training sheet for each detail showing the right way and the old (wrong) way. Train the installation crews, their supervisor, your field supervision staff, and quality personnel on the needed changes.
Reinforce the training by posting the training sheet on the jobsite and reviewing it with the crew before they begin work.
5. Follow-up
Use your normal inspection process and field reviews for follow-up. Existing inspection forms can be used with this one simple enhancement: add a checkpoint for each revised installation detail. Even better is including reduced-sized training pictures on the inspection form.
If inspections find old ways persisting, loop back and retrain people that need special attention.
Getting Started
With the so many building products being installed, you’ll want to take a systematic approach to evaluating each one. My advice is to organize your effort by specialty trade. Start with the exterior building envelope, then proceed to concrete, and the mechanical trades. Allow yourself the flexibility to start the next trade as you get into step 3 or 4 above.
On some trades you can leverage your effort by asking some of your top people or subcontractors to take the lead. The good news is that in a few months you will make huge gains toward first time quality and minimize your risk for costly defects.