After a pre-assessment visit in early October, and an intensive two-day scrutiny by two auditors at the end of November last year, our Croaghan quality control test laboratory successfully achieved recommendation for accreditation to ISO IEC 17025 – the standard for the performance of testing and calibration standards.
After correction of a few minor technical details, our UKAS certificate, No. 4105 was issued on 26th March 2007.
We extend our congratulations to Derek Dougherty, the Division's Quality Control Manager, who was ably assisted by his team – Major Barnet and Sammy Twaddle. It cannot be over-emphasised just how exacting our technicians have to be in sticking to test and calibration standards and the minutiae of record keeping required by ISO IEC 17025. Being demonstrably able to meet such demanding standards reflects well on them and the Division.
The laboratory's initial scope covers representative sampling of both aggregate and hot-mix, sample transfer to the lab, sample treatment and division, aggregate grading, including measurement of flakiness, coated material analysis and grading, and reporting of results. Asphalt design by the Marshall method is also included – and all this without leaving the production site. Contract site tasks accredited include sampling of coated materials, use of the rolling straight-edge and BS 598-105 texture depth measurements.
Not content with resting on his laurels, Derek is planning ahead to extend the laboratory's scope to cover PRD, the new EN 13036-1 texture depth test, hot sand test for chippings, and water sample suspended solids measurement.
