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Duplex CoatingsAs time has progressed, owners,consultants and contractors havebecome more aware and have startedmoving to the concept of a totalquality system involving a cleardivision between quality control andquality assurance responsibilities.There is a realisation that while thirdparty inspection is still necessary (notalways necessary for hot dip galvanizing #1 )it is not intended for the owner’sinspection to replace quality controlby the contractor.This message is not always stated inthe initial specifications resulting inthe quality assurance persons,continuing to provide the primary roleof inspecting and accepting the work.When the roles are not clearlydefined there is a loss of a totalquality system which often creates aconfrontational position betweenquality assurance personnel and thecontractor.But, if the person responsible forquality control and the personresponsible for quality assuranceunderstand and perform theirMETAL-PRO MARKERSindividual roles during the project,the quality at the end of the projectimproves.Quality assuranceThis refers to the process used toverify that what has been reported byquality control is correct and factual.It is a type of audit function whichverifies that quality control is in factbeing performed and that it is beingperformed correctly. For example, thequality control inspector shouldreview the documentation of testsdone and duplicate the inspection atcertain hold points on the project toverify that the results reported by thequality control are accuratelyreflecting the quality of work.Quality assurance includes the reviewof quality control documentation,physical spot testing and periodictesting and is typically performed bythe owner or a third party inspectorappointed by the owner.Quality assurance is thedetermination of the processes thatwill determine the template andpattern of quality control tasks and isSteelwork contractors generally require temporary identification of the parts ofa component when fabricating and often use incorrect methods such as oilbased paint or inappropriate marking pens. If the galvanizer identifies thepresence of oil based paint markings prior to hot dip galvanizing, he may beable to adequately clean it off. Cleaningsometimes includes extensive grinding ofthe surface in order to remove the marksdue to the acidic nature of some oil basedpaint markers.The Association has identified the“Metal-Pro Galvanized Steel Marker” asan appropriate method of steelmarking, which will easily be removedduring the process and has a numberof these pens available for purchase.Metal-Pro markers retail atR39.15 each excluding VAT.Kindly contact the Association inJohannesburg, should you beinterested.meant to verify that the qualitycontrol implemented by thecontractor meets the requirements ofthe specification, to further assure aquality final product.This can be a full, part-time or it can beperformed at certain stages of theproject process to ensure the adequacyof the contractor’s quality control.Quality controlThis is the performance of thenecessary observations, testing anddocumentation that verifies that theworkmanship performed meets orexceeds the minimum standardsestablished by the projectspecifications. It involves the routineand systematic inspections and teststhat are conducted to verify that eachphase of the work is in compliance withthe specification. Quality control is thecontractor’s responsibility. It is also thefirst step in the total quality process.Quality control activities are focusedon the delivery aspect and makessure that the results are what theowner desires.Quality control by the contractor ismeant to provide in-processverification that the tasks such ascleaning, preparation and coating isbeing performed as it was designedto as per the specification ensuring aquality final product.This is a full-time requirement andhas responsibilities for every aspectof the surface preparation andcoating (either with protective paintcoatings, hot dip galvanizing #2 or duplexcoating systems) process.Quality control is more than theperformance and documentation ofinspections. The process includesprocedures for verifying thatspecifications, product informationand revisions are communicated tothe job site, verifying that theequipment and the standardsemployed to perform the qualitycontrol are functional, correct andtraceable and procedures for18 Hot Dip Galvanizing Today Volume 5 Issue 4 2008