Source: Tilt-up Concrete Association, Iowa
Woodland Construction Co. of Jupiter, Fla., and Seretta Construction of Apopka, Fla., are the first two TCA members to attain the group’s Company Certification. In development for more than three years, the program is in response to requests from the industry for more detailed assurance of company performance; it was launched in March in Florida.
Applicants must provide documentation for a broad range of metrics including completed project review, safety programs and record, quality control and assurance, certified personnel, continuing education, and a host of related criteria. An on-site audit of company and project records as well as personnel interviews are conducted to confirm compliance.
There are two levels of certification: General Tilt-Up Contractor or Architectural Tilt-Up Contractor. To be certified as a General Tilt-Up Contractor, the applicant must have successfully completed 15 projects (or at least 10 projects totaling a minimum of 300 panels) in the past five years. In order to be certified as an Architectural Tilt-Up Contractor, the applicant must provide evidence of completed projects involving at least four different types of specialty finishes, which may include exposed aggregate, thin brick, curved panels, form liners, integral color or extensive reveal patterns.
Safety programs and manuals are evaluated with regard to content, procedures for disciplinary and corrective actions. Training practices and frequency of safety meetings are also reviewed. Safety records and compliance with industry safety guidelines are considered in the approval process. Additionally, the qualified or trained personnel section requires ACI Certified superintendents on every project as well as evidence of the qualifications of pump and crane operators, rigging crews, and other key personnel on the project.
The Quality Control/Quality Assurance component is designed to ensure that the company has the procedures and policies in place that can produce consistent quality in Tilt-Up panel construction. Two projects are selected for which the applicant must provide full compliance with all documentation requirements from items such as verification of layout and consideration of crane positioning and movement, to mill certification of reinforcement and adherence to break strengths of concrete cylinders for lifting and in-place loading. Shop drawings, panel books, and engineering seals are just some of the documents reviewed.
The program outlines alternative requirements if certain jurisdictions have standards that differ from those found in the U.S. The certification is valid for a period of one year. “The detail of information collected and retained by companies down to mill certification of reinforcement was reassuring,” said Ed Sauter, executive director of the TCA.
TCA hopes to expand the number of Certified Companies this year to include other parts of the U.S. as well as Canada and beyond. Interested companies should contact the association at 319/895-6911 or email Sauter at [email protected].