APPROVED PRODUCER PROGRAM
In order to furnish ready mix concrete to projects, a ready mix producer must be on the approved producer listing (Appendix D). The specific requirements, including the details of the required quality control program are in Appendix A. Appendix B is the ready mix approval application form.
Non-compliance to the approved Ready Mix Concrete Producer Quality Control Program shall constitute grounds for the specific ready mix plant or the producer to be placed on conditional status by the District Materials Engineer. Continued non-compliance will be considered sufficient ground to remove the facility or company from the Approved Producers List.
Appendix C contains the “Notification of Violations of the Approved Producer’s Quality Control Program”. This is a written notice from the District Materials Engineer to a Producer identifying violation(s) of the Producer’s Quality Control Program or requirements of the Approved Producer program. A written response is required from the Producer describing how the violation occurred, how the violation will be rectified, and what will be done so the violation will not occur or continue to occur in the future.
A Ready Mix Concrete Review Board will meet, as needed, for disciplinary actions and appeals involving Approved Producers.
The Ready Mix Concrete Review Board shall consist of:
· The State Construction and Materials Engineer
· The Concrete Materials Engineer
· A District Materials Engineer from a District which does not monitor ready mix plants for the Producer in question
· Other independent consultant
CERTIFIED READY MIX CONCRETE – SAMPLING AND TESTING
The Ready Mix Concrete Producer shall be responsible for source (ready mix plant) product quality control. Verification (acceptance) testing of ready mix concrete is performed by the Engineer. The Ready Mix Concrete Producer has the sole responsibility for the quality of the concrete and individual constituent materials in the concrete.
Aggregates, cementitious materials, water, and admixtures to be used in concrete for highway construction projects shall be subject to sampling and testing, including Ready Mix Concrete Producer Quality Control (QC) sampling and testing. Sampling and testing shall be performed during production in accordance with the minimum frequencies specified in the contract documents.
A. Ready Mix Concrete Producer Quality Control Sampling and Testing
Ready Mix Concrete Producer QC sampling and testing personnel, laboratories, and equipment shall be qualified in accordance with the Iowa DOT Technical Training and Certification Program (IM 213) and the Materials Laboratory Qualification Program (IM 208).
B. Iowa DOT Verification Sampling and Testing
The District Materials Office, in conjunction with the Project/Agency Engineer, will be responsible for monitoring the Producer’s Quality Control Program. Verification of quality is through independent sampling and testing. Verification sampling and testing is performed by Agency personnel in accordance with IM 205 and IM 528. District Materials Office and Agency sampling and testing personnel, laboratories, and equipment shall be qualified in accordance with the Iowa DOT Technical Training and Certification Program (IM 213) and the Materials Laboratory Qualification Program (IM 208).
When requested by the Agency, Producer personnel may assist with the sampling as directed and witnessed by the certified Agency personnel. The sample time will be randomly selected by the Agency (except when noted elsewhere) and will only be given to the Producer immediately prior to sampling. To maintain the integrity of the sample, it will be transported by Agency personnel. The Agency will split the verification sample and give a portion to the Producer.
At no time will the District Materials Office or the Agency representative issue directions to the Producer. However, the representative will have the authority and responsibility to question and where necessary reject an operation or production, which is not in accordance with the Specifications, Special Provisions, and Materials Instructional Memorandums.
CERTIFIED READY MIX CONCRETE – DOCUMENTATION
A. Documentation
Report shall be reported weekly or as designated to the District Materials Engineer on the plant report Form #800240.
B. Plant Book
Document material quantities in plant book.
C. Batch Tickets
Each truckload of concrete must be identified by Form #830212 or acceptable computer generated plant ticket. See IM 527 and IM 528.
NOTICE OF IM 211 VIOLATION
When violations to IM 211 have occurred, a written notice from the District Materials Coordinator or District Materials Engineer to a producer identifying violation(s) of the Producer’s Quality Control Program or requirements of the Approved Ready Mix Concrete Producer Program. The form can be found in Office of Materials IM 211, Appendix C.
A written response is required from the Producer describing how the violation occurred, how the violation will be rectified, and what will be done so the violation will not occur or continue to occur in the future. After the written response is received, grounds for Conditional Status will be determined. Conditional Status requires that certified ready mix concrete will no longer be accepted from a particular source. The Conditional Status may apply only to a production operation and concrete produced by that operation. In other situations, when the deficiency is more widespread, the Conditional Status may apply to an entire company or division within a company until the problem is resolved. See Office of Materials IM 211, Appendix A for details. If the Notification of Violation is found to be in error, the Notification will be rescinded. Written responses should be sent to the District Materials Office and the Concrete Materials Engineer of the Construction and Materials Office.