Questions About The Laboratory Inspection Program (LIP)
Question1: Can a laboratory be CCRL “certified” or accredited ?
Answer: No. CCRL offers an inspection service. For a description of services, refer to question #2. You can use CCRL’s services to obtain AASHTO accreditation.
Question 2:. What’s the difference between accreditation and inspection?
Answer: An inspection is an evaluation of equipment and procedures required in the relevant test methods, along with a review of the quality system. An inspection report is the final step in the process for an inspection agency.
An accreditation agency uses the results of the inspection report or the results of their
own onsite assessment as one phase of the accreditation process. As a separate phase, the
accreditation agency also reviews the testing laboratory’s corrective actions for the
deficiencies noted and issues a certificate of accreditation once all of the deficiencies have
been corrected. Accreditation requires the participation in an appropriate Proficiency Sample
Program.
Question 3: What is the difference between CCRL and AMRL?
Answer: CCRL provides onsite inspections and proficiency samples in cement, concrete, masonry , and aggregate (inspection only). CCRL’s services can be used to obtain AASHTO accreditation.
AMRL provides onsite assessments and proficiency samples in bituminous materials, soils, and aggregates. AMRL’s services can be used to obtain AASHTO accreditation.
Question 4: Who do I ask about AASHTO accreditation?
Answer: Brian Johnson
301-975-5450
Question 5: Why does CCRL and AMRL both offer an aggregate inspection? Which service is best for my organization?
Answer: CCRL’s inspection covers concrete aggregates and AMRL’s inspection covers bituminous aggregates. Their coverage overlap. It is not necessary or recommended to sign up for both inspections. AMRL covers all tests offered by the CCRL inspection plus additional tests unique to bituminous aggregate testing. The programs differ in cost and selection. Unless you need bituminous aggregate test methods inspected, the CCRL aggregate inspection is more cost effective.
Question 6: How can my corrections to inspection deficiencies be included in the CCRL final report?
Answer: You may respond to deficiencies by mailing , emailing or faxing corrections to your
inspector. To be included in the final report, corrections must be received by the due date
located at the end of your preliminary report. For more information
follow this link.
Question 7: What corrections
to inspection deficiencies can be noted in the CCRL final report?
Answer: You can correct any deficiency with the exception of procedures, temperatures or
humidity. Answer: Follow this link. Corrections Acceptance Guidelines Answer: Every 24 to 30 months. Answer: The length of the inspection depending on it’s scope is anywhere from ½ to 7 days. A
typical concrete only inspection is 1½ days. A typical concrete and aggregate inspection is 2
days. Questions About The Proficiency Sample Program (PSP) Question 11: If our laboratory has an inspection, do I need to participate in a proficiency sample program? Answer: ASTM C1077 for concrete, C1222 for hydraulic cement, and C1093 for masonry
require the participation in an appropriate proficiency sample program. Failure to participate
in the appropriate program will generate a deficiency.
Also, the AASHTO Accreditation Program requires accredited laboratories to
participate in all AMRL or CCRL proficiency sample programs that include the
tests for which the laboratory is accredited. Your laboratory will not be able
to obtain accreditation without enrollment in the appropriate sample programs. Answer: If you wish to have a test method appear on your AASHTO accreditation, you must
perform the test method on the proficiency sample. Question 13: Where can I find instructions for the proficiency samples? Answer:
Instructions for testing the samples are found on the CCRL website (www.ccrl.us
). The “
Question 14: How do I get my laboratory number?
Answer: Your are assigned your laboratory number when you first join the CCRL Proficiency Sample Program. Your laboratory number and PIN are provided in each email you receive from CCRL about a specific proficiency sample. Normally you will receive at least two emails for each sample , one when the samples are shipped and one when the final reports are available. Your laboratory number and PIN do not change and are the same for all CCRL Proficiency Samples.
Question 15: How many boxes of material do I receive for the Concrete Proficiency Sample Program?Answer: Six boxes total ( two cement, two fine aggregate, and two coarse aggregate). You will receive these boxes over a seven week period. About the time the first box is shipped you will receive a notification by email that the samples are being shipped. This email will also tell when you can expect to receive the last box of material, how the sample testing instructions can be downloaded, and instructions for entering data on our website.