The RMC Research & Education Foundation has published the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Plant Inspector's Guide, part of a plant certification program ensuring concrete production facilities comply with industry standards and are capable of furnishing quality material. Certification calls for inspection by a licensed professional engineer, with a checklist of NRMCA Research Engineering and Standards (RES) Committee requirements.

The Plant Inspector's Guide instructs inspectors on the intent of requirements, and will be used to qualify candidate engineers for conducting plant inspections. The RMC Research & Education Foundation Board of Trustees funded the title to facilitate a uniform understanding of inspection requirements for inspectors and ready mixed producers. “Development of the Guide ensures that this long-standing program is consistently performed by all engineers who administer it,” says Foundation Chairman Dominique Calabrese (Lafarge North America). “The Plant Inspector's Guide will enhance certification program credibility, particularly for those state departments of transportation that require it or are considering it as a requirement.”

Adds Foundation Executive Director Julie Garbini, “Another aspect of this project was a study to evaluate batching accuracy. This part of the study was used in establishing guidance to inspectors and will be used to ensure that industry standards have achievable requirements.”

More details on the NRMCA Plant Certification Program can be found at www.nrmca.org. Additional information concerning RMC Research & Education Foundation and the Plant Inspector's Guide can be found at www.rmc-foundation.org or by contacting Jennifer LeFevre, 240/485-1151; jlefevre@rmc-foundation.org