CSA A283:19

Qualification code for concrete testing laboratories

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  CSA A283:19

  June 2019

  
  

  Title: Qualification code for concrete testing laboratories

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CSA A283:19

Qualification code for concrete testing laboratories

®A trademark of the Canadian Standards Association, operating as “CSA Group”

Published in June 2019 by CSA Group

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ICS 03.120.20; 91.100.30

ISBN 978-1-4883-2015-6

© 2019 Canadian Standards Association

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the prior permission of the publisher.

Contents

Technical Committee on Qualification Code for Concrete Testing Laboratories 3

Preface 5

1. Scope 7

   
   

2. Reference publications 7

1. General requirements 9

   1. General 9

      1. Laboratory responsibilities 9

      2. Responsibilities of the CO 9

   2. Personnel 10

      1. General 10

      2. Supervising professional requirements 11

   3. Equipment 12

   4. Procedures 13

1. Basic concrete certification — Additional tests 15

2. Concrete aggregate certification — Additional tests 15

3. Advanced concrete certification — Additional tests 16

1. Evaluation of intra-laboratory strength proficiency 16

   1. Method 16

   2. Requirements 18

      
      

2. Certification 18

   1. General 18

   2. Demonstration of compliance 18

   3. Verification of compliance 19

   4. Noncompliance 19

   5. Withdrawal of certification 20

   6. Records relating to compliance with this Standard 20

Annex A (informative) — Laboratory proficiency in the testing of standard concrete cylinder compressive strength using the inter-laboratory procedure 30

Technical Committee on Qualification Code for Concrete Testing Laboratories

G. H. Leaman Stantec Consulting Ltd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada Category: User Interest

Chair

R. H. Gifford Lehigh Hanson Materials Limited, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Category: Producer Interest

Vice-Chair

M. Dalkie Lafarge Canada Inc.,

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Category: Producer Interest

S. Fasullo Davroc Testing Laboratories Inc., Brampton, Ontario, Canada Category: User Interest

M. A. Guindon Lafarge Canada Inc.,

Pointe-Claire, Québec, Canada

Non-voting

C. Guldemet Metro Testing Laboratories (Burnaby) Ltd., Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Non-voting

S. Gurjar Thurber Engineering Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Category: User Interest

K. Habib CSA Group,

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Non-voting

A. Hossack GEMTEC Limited,

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Non-voting

M. Ite-Hughes CRH Canada Group Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Non-voting

B. Kanters Concrete Ontario, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Category: Producer Interest

M. MacArthur New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (NBDTI),

Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada

Category: General Interest

R. J. McGrath Cement Association of Canada (CAC), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Non-voting

G. G. McIntee St. Lawrence Testing & Inspection Company Ltd.,

Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

Category: User Interest

A. Nathoo Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories, Markham, Ontario, Canada

Non-voting

T. Owens Quality Concrete Inc.,

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Category: Producer Interest

S. Parkes Canada Building Materials Company, a Division of St. Marys Cement Inc.,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Category: Producer Interest

D. L. Reuber Toronto, Ontario, Canada Non-voting

H. C. Schell Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Materials Engineering and Research Office,

Downsview, Ontario, Canada

Category: General Interest

D. E. Smith WSP Canada Inc.,

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Non-voting

S. J. Walker Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Category: User Interest

I. Karas CSA Group,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Project Manager

Preface

This is the fifth edition of CSA A283, Qualification code for concrete testing laboratories. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2006, 2000, 1980, and 1974.

This edition includes the following changes:

1. The categories of certification and listing of additional tests for which laboratories may be certified have been revised to reflect changes in, and to be consistent with, CSA A23.1/A23.2, and to take into account developments in the concrete industry.

2. The mandatory and optional tests for each of the three categories of certification have been revised. The categories of certification are basic concrete certification, concrete aggregate certification, and advanced concrete certification.

3. The mandatory calibration and verification requirements for testing equipment have been updated.

4. The concept of a supervising professional has been introduced to this Standard, and a definition provided. This Standard acknowledges that, depending on the jurisdiction in which the laboratory is located, a non-engineering professional with a license limited to practice engineering in this field might be permitted to be a supervising professional.

5. The responsibilities and qualifications for the supervising professional have been introduced as mandatory requirements.

6. The requirements for certification among the categories of certification have been revised. Laboratories can qualify for concrete aggregate certification independent of the basic or advanced concrete certifications.

7. The Standard provides for recognition of alternative concrete field testing technician certification programs as long as that certification is maintained in good standing; this applies to technicians involved in field testing activities only, and the certification program must meet specified minimum requirements.

8. The provisions for sharing test equipment among laboratories are defined.

9. Clarification is provided regarding whether weigh scales and balances are stationary equipment.

   This Standard has been referenced by CSA A23.1, Concrete materials and methods of concrete construction, since its sixth edition (1977).

   
   

   This Standard is considered suitable for use for conformity assessment within the stated scope of the Standard.

   
   

   This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Qualification Code for Concrete Testing Laboratories, under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Construction and Civil Infrastructure, and has been formally approved by the Technical Committee.

   Notes:

   1. Use of the singular does not exclude the plural (and vice versa) when the sense allows.

   2. Although the intended primary application of this Standard is stated in its Scope, it is important to note that it remains the responsibility of the users of the Standard to judge its suitability for their particular purpose.

   3. This Standard was developed by consensus, which is defined by CSA Policy governing standardization — Code of good practice for standardization as “substantial agreement. Consensus implies much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity”. It is consistent with this definition that a member may be included in the Technical Committee list and yet not be in full agreement with all clauses of this Standard.

   4. To submit a request for interpretation of this Standard, please send the following information to

      inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Request for interpretation” in the subject line:

      1. define the problem, making reference to the specific clause, and, where appropriate, include an illustrative sketch;

      2. provide an explanation of circumstances surrounding the actual field condition; and

      3. where possible, phrase the request in such a way that a specific “yes” or “no” answer will address the issue.

         Committee interpretations are processed in accordance with the CSA Directives and guidelines governing standardization and are available on the Current Standards Activities page at standardsactivities.csa.ca.

   5. This Standard is subject to review within five years from the date of publication. Suggestions for its improvement will be referred to the appropriate committee. To submit a proposal for change, please send the following information to inquiries@csagroup.org and include “Proposal for change” in the subject line:

      1. Standard designation (number);

      2. relevant clause, table, and/or figure number;

      3. wording of the proposed change; and

      4. rationale for the change.

CSA A283:19

Qualification code for concrete testing laboratories

1. Scope

   
   

   1.1

   This Standard provides a means of determining a concrete laboratory’s capability to test concrete and related materials. It provides for three levels of certification: basic concrete, concrete aggregate, and advanced concrete certification. Its purpose is to ensure that the services obtained from a concrete testing laboratory are of acceptable quality and performance. It also provides minimum requirements for the test equipment, qualifications of personnel who test concrete, and their performance in testing; however, this Standard should not be construed as a standard detailing the technical ability and expertise necessary to provide a comprehensive consulting service in concrete technology.

   
   

   1.2

   This Standard addresses

   1. the requirements for laboratory certification; and

   2. the administration of these requirements.

   
   

   1.3

   In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

   Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

   
   

   Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

   
   

   Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

   
   

2. Reference publications

This Standard refers to the following publications, and where such reference is made, it shall be to the edition listed below, including all amendments published thereto.

CSA Group

A23.1:19/A23.2:19

Concrete materials and methods of concrete construction/Test methods and standard practices for concrete