NPCA Plant Certification Changes for 2022

The NPCA Quality Control Manual for Precast Concrete Plants serves as the guidance document for the association’s plant certification program. As a management tool and technical resource for quality production and manufacturing practices, the manual is continuously scrutinized to ensure it remains current with industry technology advances.

Each year, the NPCA Quality Assurance/Quality Control Committee reviews the NPCA Quality Control Manual content with the goal of clarifying and improving the information. For the 15th edition of the manual (2022 version), the committee made several changes that members and specifiers may review during a 60-day comment period, which opened Nov. 1 and ends Dec. 31.

These changes ensure the highest quality manufacturing processes from NPCA-certified plants and provide assurance to customers regarding quality. NPCA-certified plants are required to review their plant-specific QC manuals and processes annually, along with a complete review of all critical sections that apply to the products manufactured.

The NPCA QA/QC Committee voted and approved the following section changes and a number of editorial changes to the QC Manual:

• Section 1.1.3 QC Personnel Training –

Added requirements

• Section 2.3.6 Joint Sealants and Connectors – Removed
• Section 4.1.3 Forms and Forming Equipment – Updated language
• Section 4.1.7 Plant Requirements –

Updated language

• Section 4.3.3 Positioning of Reinforcement – Updated language
• Section 4.4.6 Hot Weather Precautions – Updated language
• Section 5.2.2.2 Self-Consolidating Concrete – Updated language
• Section 5.3.1.2 Slump Flow and Visual Stability Index – Updated language

These changes ensure the highest quality manufacturing processes from NPCA-certified plants and provide assurance to customers regarding quality. NPCA-certified plants are required to review their plant-specific QC manuals and processes annually, along with a complete review of all critical sections that apply to the products manufactured.

The 60-day comment period for the 15th edition of the NPCA Quality Control Manual for Precast Concrete Plants ends Dec. 31, 2021. Email NPCA Director of Quality Assurance Programs Phil Cutler to submit a comment.