CONTENTS - Central Public Works Department

SECTION 53
(4) Further, action on similar lines as mentioned under para 53.9 shall be taken by the Superintending
Engineer on the inspection reports of the QA unit.
(5) It is necessary that the observations made by the Q.A. unit are attended to on priority and
compliance reported. The Superintending Engineer (P&A) of the Zone shall be responsible to
monitor the compliance of observations made by the Q.A. unit, and bring cases to the notice of the
Chief Engineer for appropriate action where there is delay of more than 3 months.
(6) The Chief Engineer should have regular quarterly review of pending Inspection Reports. Similarly
review should be done at Superintending Engineer’s level at monthly intervals.
53. 17 Responsibility for quality
In respect of all works, the responsibility of various officers for checking of materials and workmanship
of items of works shall be as given in Annexure VIII. However, this does not absolve the Junior Engineer
and other officers of their responsibility to get the work executed as per specifications and provisions of
Manual. Paras 5.2.3 and 53.4 above may also be seen in this regard.
53. 18 Field testing laboratories
(1) The salient functions of the Field Testing Laboratories have already been outlined while discussing
the functions of the field formation in exercising control of quality. A list of field equipments for a
typical field laboratory is given in Annexures I and II. The Superintending Engineer shall from time
to time review the functioning of these Field Testing Laboratories, and suggest ways and means of
improving the standard of their performance, in consultation with the Core Cell if necessary.
(2) In all major works of contract costing more than Rs. 10 crores, the contractor shall be required to
establish complete field testing laboratory, and arrange all the relevant Codes and Standards. The
list of such testing equipments, Codes, and Standards shall be specified in the tender documents.
The contractor shall also arrange for more equipments, Codes, and Standards, if they are needed
during the execution of the work. The contractor shall also provide the minimum staff, as specified,
for quality assurance. He shall also provide for a temporary shed, of the specified size and
specifications, at the allotted space at site, for housing the testing laboratory.
53. 19 Central laboratory
The Central Laboratory shall provide guidance in setting up the field level and circle level laboratories,
both in respect of equipping them and training the testing personnel. These laboratories shall carry out
confirmatory tests of samples collected by the Assistant Engineer (QA)/QA units during routine inspections
of various works at the site. Besides, calibration of equipments of the field laboratories is another task
assigned to Central Laboratory.
53.20 Outside/Independent Testing Facilities
Extensive testing of the materials used for construction is a pre-requisite for attaining high quality of
the work. This shall also require specialized tests, physical, chemical, ultrasonic, x-ray and various other
types of tests which cannot possibly be carried out in a site laboratory. These tests also require specialized
personnel who regularly deal in such testing. Therefore the need arises for carrying out the tests in
outside laboratories. These laboratories may be in the Government sector, Semi Government or Private
sector. The outside private laboratories shall be short-listed before hand by EE and approval obtained
from SE. In case of laboratories in the private sector, the past record and reputation of the laboratory must
invariably be given due consideration. The infrastructure in these laboratories can also be inspected
before they are short-listed.
However, testing of material in any Govt. Lab/Public Undertaking Lab/IIT or NIT Lab/Government
Engineering College may be allowed by Executive Engineer without prior approval of
Superintending Engineer or higher officers provided these labs have all necessary facility to carry
out the required tests. (Modified as per OM/MAN/233)
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