Context
Clients expect, especially for important construction sites, major efforts from all partners concerning quality. Design, regulations, the products used, execution, maintenance, etc. are important parameters that contribute to a quality end result.
COPRO, through its inspection and certification, focuses in particular on the quality and conformity of the products supplied.
Since certification is based on random checks, there is not absolute certainty that the products for a specific site have been subjected to external control.
During inspections in the context of certification, a check is usually made against the requirements present in standards, technical prescriptions and/or standard contract documents and, therefore, no checks are carried out in accordance with the provisions in special specifications of a specific site.
Moreover, in view of the mandatory confidentiality with respect to certification, there is no direct communication between the inspection body and the client regarding the findings made during an inspection.
By fully coordinating the external oversight with a specific construction site and linking it to inspections by the client, quality oversight can be increased considerably. Which is why COPRO is able to perform specific ‘enhanced production control’ at the request of the client.
Scope
The possibility of enhanced external production control is provided for the following products:
- Cement-treated crushed rubble foundation with continuous grain distribution;
- Foundation in asphalt granulate cement containing tar;
- Bituminous mixtures (asphalt and/or mastic asphalt mixtures);
- Hydraulically bound mixtures.
Requirements
During enhanced production control, it is always checked whether the products comply with the requirements stated in the special specifications.
Procedure
The inspections that take place in this context are supplementary to the certification in the context of a BENOR or COPRO-mark.
They differ from among others certification controls in the following respects:
- Conformity with the special specifications for this specific site is verified. These checks start before the work begins, so that there is certainty that the products proposed by the contractor are in accordance with the special specifications.
- The frequency of external oversight is higher and this is carried out specifically for the requested site. Scheduling of the inspections is done in consultation with the client, so that there is oversight at the moment of production that is important to it.
- Communication is foreseen between the inspection body and client so that an appropriate response can be made immediately to possible nonconforming products at the production site. As a result, the enhanced production control fits seamlessly with external oversight in the context of certification, and quality control is increased considerably.
- At the end of construction at the site, the client receives a final report clearly summarising all the findings.
It goes without saying that these enhanced production controls are an extension of the existing BENOR or COPRO certification and can therefore only be carried out by the inspection body that carries out the standard external oversight within the framework of the associated certification.
Prescribe
The enhanced production control is preferably enforced by including an attached article with the special specifications. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Advantages
The advantages for the various parties are obvious:
- The client receives products with an increased confidence in quality. The external inspections after all are tailored to its requirements and its specific construction sites. In the event of nonconforming products, the client will be informed and the possible influence on quality will be discussed.
- The contractor receives the supplied product with the intended quality.
- The producer knows that the quality of its product has been demonstrated for the specific site.
Role of COPRO
COPRO visits the certificate holder and carries out inspections. The findings are then passed on to the producer, contractor and client so that the appropriate measures can be taken.
Application
De verhoogde productiecontrole wordt voorgeschreven in het bijzonder bestek. De aannemer of producent kan vervolgens contact opnemen met COPRO zodat een overeenkomst kan worden opgesteld betreffende de uit te voeren inspecties.
The enhanced production inspection is prescribed in the special specifications. The contractor or producer can then contact COPRO so that an agreement can be drawn up regarding the inspections to be carried out.
References
Enhanced production control is often applied to large infrastructure projects such as highways, airports, etc. Below you will find a selection of recent references:
2025
- W22/02 R8 / A19 Construction of Kortrijk West interchange
- W22/04 N8 Refurbishment of road section from A18 to Alveringem border
- W22/06 West Flanders (MIA)
- W23/01 Damme-Maldegem - Conversion of N49
- W23/08 A18 Oudenburg
- W23/09 R8 Kortrijk
- W24/01 Brussels Mobility Various construction sites
- W24/06 N49 Damme Maldegem (TM Artes)
- W25/01 Brussels Airport Company nv Renovation RWY 25L/07R
- W25/02 Port of Antwerp-Bruges Green Public Procurement tool in topcoats of specifications - Port of Antwerp
- W25/03 N325 Middelkerke Spermaliestraat
- W25/04 N318
- W25/05 Structural maintenance E17 direction Antwerp near Beervelde-Berlare and between Temse and the border with Antwerp
- W25/06 Wuustwezel Village Centre
- W25/07 Defence KLEINE-BROGEL renovation MRWY
- W25/08 Re-asphalting of R0 planned for Halle - Beersel
- W25/09 ANTWERP: WA/INV/N180/6/U3 Structural maintenance N180 x N111
2024
- W21/05 Cycle paths Antwerp
- W21/09 Brussels Mobility - Road marking product controlW22/02 R8 / A19 - Construction of Kortrijk West interchangeW22/03 E403 - Structural maintenance
- W22/04 N8 Refurbishment of road section from A18 to Alveringem border
- W22/05 A10/E40 Erpe-Mere Bridge replacement
- W22/06 W22/06 West Flanders (MIA)
- W23/01 Damme-Maldegem - Conversion of N49
- W23/08 A18 Oudenburg
- W23/09 R8 Kortrijk
- W23/10 N700 Bilzen Structural maintenance
- W23/11 N180 Antwerp
- W24/01 Brussels Mobility - Various construction sites
- W24/02 Structural maintenance of the R2, between the E34 complex and the Beveren Tunnel
- W24/03 ORBIX preliminary studies on the road concrete supplied by the Besix Infra Bilzen plant
- W24/04 Brussels Airport Company nv - RENOVATION OF RUNWAY 2024 RWY 01/19
- W24/05 E17 Kortrijk - East to Aalbeke
- W24/06 N49 Damme Maldegem (TM Artes)
- W24/07 A18 - Oostduinkerke - Veurne
2023
- W21/02 Cycle paths West Flanders
- W21/03 Cycle paths East Flanders
- W21/09 Brussels Mobility - Road marking product control
- W22/01 Brussels Mobility
- W22/4 N8 Refurbishment of road section from A18 to Alveringem border
- W22/05 A10/E40 Erpe-Mere Replacement of bridge on E40 over railway and replacement of Merestraat bridge over E40
- W22/06 West Flanders (MIA)
- W23/07 E40 Walshoutem and E314 Aarschot-Wilsele
- W23/08 A18 Oudenburg
- W23/09 R8 Kortrijk
Contact
Renovation at Brussels Airport
In August 2020 the runway 07L/25R at Brussels Airport was renovated. Given the great importance Brussels Airport attaches to the quality of these works, COPRO was called in to check the quality of the asphalt mixtures used.
