CEMENT AND CONCRETE REFERENCE LABORATORY AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (301)

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1 CEMENT AND CONCRETE REFERENCE LABORATORY AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND (301) SPONSORED BY COMMIlTEE C-I ON CEMENT COMMIlTEE C-9 ON CONCRETE AND CONCRETE AGGREGATES AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS 100 Bureau DI1ve - Stop 8618 Gaithersburg, MD Facsimile Number: Address: ccrl@nist.g:ov Website: March 13, 2006 Director of Testing ACIL 1629 K Street, N.W., #400 Washington, D.C Subject: Inspection of Materials Testing Laboratories Dear Ms. Cassedy: The Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) is proud to announce the 33rd Tour of its Laboratory Inspection Program. The CCRL Laboratory Inspection Program is an evaluation of construction materials testing laboratories based on ASTM test methods. The tour will encompass laboratories located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico and will last for approximately two years. The following has been prepared to inform you about the inspection services of the CCRL. It contains a brief introduction to CCRL, an outline of the various inspection programs, and an invitation to continue or initiate participation in these programs. Introduction Established in 1929, the CCRL is a cooperative venture between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly National Bureau of Standards) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Our primary function is to conduct inspections of laboratories which test hydraulic cements, concrete and concrete aggregates, pozzolans, reinforcing steel, masonry mortar, or brick and concrete masonry units. A charge for services rendered will be made in accordance with the enclosed fee schedule. A laboratory may participate if it performs some or all of the test methods in the scope of the inspection work being requested and is willing to pay the fee f~r the inspection. As in previous tours, the CCRL will visit all areas wi.thlaboratories requesting an inspection. However, some areas will be visited only once. To be certain of being inspected, please return a completed copy of the enclosed request form promptly. Laboratorv Inspection Program The CCRL uses a "hands on" approach in the evaluation process which is unique to evaluators of these material types. Equipment is checked to specification requirements using measuring devices traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These measuring devices include load cells, balances, testing weights, thermometers, psychrometers, spherometers, rulers and micrometers among others. The procedures for each test method are demonstrated by the laboratory and any deviation from the method is noted. For specifics on each of the seven materials inspected by the CCRL see the Addendum which is attached to this letter.

2 -2- Specifiers of the CCRL Laboratorv Inspection Program Laboratories may participate in the inspection program for one or more of the following reasons: (1) many organizations regard participation as an essential part of a quality assurance program for their laboratories; (2) accrediting organizations, such as the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) and the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), use the inspection as their onsite assessment and may require the laboratory to participate when seeking accreditation; (3) contract specifiers require participation when selecting a laboratory. In the past these specifiers have included agencies of the federal government, state agencies, municipalities, architects, building code organizations, and builders. Closing Comments Inspection of laboratories is only one of the functions of the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory. Distribution of proficiency test samples is another. If you are not now participating in the CCRL Cement, Pozzolan, Masonry Mortar, Concrete Masonry Units or Concrete Proficiency Sample Programs, you are invited to use these supplements to the inspection program. Fee information and details of the Proficiency Sample Programs are available upon request. Please reply regardless of your decision to participate or not in our inspection programs. This would allow us to keep our mailing list current with regard to future announcements of CCRL activities. Your interest in our programs is greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, ~Manager, Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory Enclosures LIP.FI8

3 Addendum Hvdraulic Cement Inspection Program The cement inspection program is comprised of a review of most of the physical tests enumerated in ASTM Standard Specifications C91 and CI50 along with related standards. The equipment from the following standards is reviewed: C109, CII5, C151, CI83, C185, CI87, CI9I, C204, C230, C266, C305, C430, C45I, C490, C5II, Cn8, ClO05, CI437, CI506 and Ell. In addition the procedures from the test methods in the group listed above are demonstrated by laboratory personnel. ASTM Standard CI222, Standard Practice for Evaluation of Laboratories Testing Hydraulic Cement, has been developed for quality system purposes for cement testing laboratories. This standard is the basis for our quality system review as part of the cement inspection. A quality system, in general, includes the records and written procedures pertaining to personnel, equipment, and facilities. In this inspection, the records of qualification tests for chemical analyses are included as well. As an optional feature of the hydraulic cement inspection, CCRL has made available a review ofcii57, Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement. In addition to the normal inspection indicated above, CCRL is adding the examination of equipment and procedures for the following test methods: CI86, CIOI2, and CI038. Concrete and Concrete Aggregates Inspection Programs ASTM CIOn, Standard Practice for Laboratories Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for Laboratory Evaluation, sets forth criteria for evaluating laboratories which test concrete and concrete aggregates. CCRL uses this standard as the basis for its inspection. Both inspection programs use the mandatory test methods listed in Section 7.2 of CIOn. For the concrete, the equipment and procedures are reviewed for the following test methods: C3I, C39, C138, CI43, CI72, CI73, C23I, C470, C511, C617, CI064 and CI231. For an aggregate inspection, the following test methods are reviewed: C40, CII7, CI27, CI28, C136, C566 and C702. The examination of facilities, equipment, and procedures remain the foundation of the CCRL inspection. To that foundation, we have added a review of laboratory operations, personnel practices, and quality assurance systems which are all requirements of CIOn. Beyond the scope of the mandatory testing of CIon are the many concrete and concrete aggregate test methods which may be selected as optional methods. For a complete list of optional test methods please consult the enclosed request form. You may select any number of tests from this list to be included in your inspection; an additional fee for each optional method inspected will be assessed. Inclusion of selected optional methods may provide greater overall coverage and greater adaptability to your particular needs. Please circle those optional methods on the enclosed inspection request form which you would like included in your inspection. The inspector will not be able to perform an evaluation of these methods without advance notice. Pozzolan Inspection Program The growing use of fly ash as a construction material has prompted the development of the pozzolan inspection program. This inspection covers the tests necessary to determine compliance with the physical requirements for pozzolans as a mineral admixture and the tests for moisture content and loss on ignition as set forth in ASTM Standard Specification C618. The following standard test methods, with modifications from C311, are reviewed: C109, C114, CI5I, CI57, CI85, CI87, CI88, C227, C430, C441 and ClOI2. These test methods along with related standards C230, C305, C490, C5I1 and Cn8 comprise the inspection. Steel Reinforcing Bar Inspection Program The steel inspection format is based on the equipment and procedures used in tension and bend testing of reinforcing bars. The following test methods are covered in the review: A370, A615, A996 and E8. Masonry Inspection Program The Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) uses the following standards as the basis for the masonry inspection program: ASTM C67, C90, CI40, C270 and CI093. ASTM CI093, Standard Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for Unit Masonry, provides criteria for evaluating the capability of a laboratory to properly perform tests on masonry materials. ASTM C67, C90, CI40 and C270 detail the test procedures and the equipment used. The masonry inspection program is made up of two separate components: (1) the masonry mortar inspection, and (2) the masonry brick and concrete masonry units inspection. A laboratory may choose either of these components or may request to be evaluated for both components. As an optional feature of the masonry brick and concrete masonry unit inspection, CCRL has included a review of CIOI9, Sampling and Testing Grout. This optional method includes a review of equipment and the various procedures required in molding, capping, and breaking of grout prisms.

4 Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory 3311ITour Inspection Request Form The purpose of this form is to facilitate requests for participation in the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory's 33rd inspection tour. To participate in the inspection program complete this form and return it witha check for $ made out to ASTM. The check is a non-refundable prepayment which willbe deducted from the cost of the inspection. The remainder of the cost willbe invoiced after completion of the inspection. Please return this request to: Mr. Raymond M. Kolos, Assistant Manager Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory 100 Bureau Drive,Stop Gaithersburg, Maryland Please set up vendor/accounting information as: CCRUASTM International GST/HSTNo.: R Barr Harbor Drive West Conshohocken,PA Fill out information requested below: Indicate the type(s) of inspection: Nameof Laboratory - Cement 0 Main Telephone Number. Incl.C1157* 0 Concrete 0 Facility Director & Title Aggregate 0 Pozzolan 0 Address.Rebar d Mailing Address Masonry:. CMU/Brick 0 Incl. C1019** 0 Mortar 0 Lab Contact & Title Address Physical Address (if differentthan Mailing Address) Fora listingof test methods& practices inspected for each type see the reverse side of this page. "Mustrequestcementinspection with thisoption. Includes C186,C1012 &C1038. Valid. addresses are mandatory for ""Mustrequestconcretemasonry unitslbrickinspectionwith this the transmittal of vital information during the 33rd Tour. option. For concrete and aggregate facilities, circle which of the following optional test methods, as listed in C1077, you would like inspected. An additional fee is charged for each optional test method requested. Please consult fee schedule for details. C29,C42,C70,C78,C87,C88,C123,C131,C142,C157,C174.C192,C215.C227,C232,C233,C289, C293, C341, C403, C418. C441, C457, C469, C495, C496, C512, C535, C567, C586, C597, C641. C642,.C666.C672,C684, C779,C301,C803,C805,C873,C876,C900,C91B,C944,C1040,C1074,C1084,. C1105, C1137, C1138, C1152, C1170, C1176,C1202, C1218, C1383, C1399, C1404, and D Comments: Signed Dated Questions? Please contact us at ccrl(q>.nist.qov or (301) or visit our website at **FOR OFFI.CE USE ONL Y** Request Master No. LabNo. Seq.No. No. PrevoInsp. No. Prepayment $ Invoice No. Recorded in Book LIP.F11 Revised 5/05..

5 CEMENT AND CONCRETE REFERENCE LABORATORY SPONSORED BY COMMITTEE C-1 ON CEMENT COMMITTEE C-9 ON CONCRETE AND CONCRETE AGGREGATES AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS FEE SCHEDULE FOR INSPECTION SERVICES Effective for Laboratories Inspected In 2006 This schedule has been established for laboratory inspections within the continental United States. This fee schedule applies to laboratories that are inspected during Two levels of fees exist in the schedule. The "NORMAL SEQU ENCE" rate is used when inspections are conducted during the inspection sequence established by CCRL. The "OUT OF SEQUENCE" rate is applied when the laboratory requests a.different date of inspection than that tentatively established by CCRL. Any extraordinary expenses including air fare, shipping cbarges, and rental car which have been incurred in making the out of sequence trip will be added to the out of sequence fee. Inspection fee rates of facilities for the following materialtypes at one location: Cement (including laboratory quality system) C1157 Optional4 (must request cement inspection with this option) Cement andconcrete1 ;... Concrete1... Concrete1and aggregate1, ",...,... Aggregate1, " Cement, concrete1 and aggregate1., Pozzolan......,......,...,,,, ,....,...,.... ; '.'. Pozzolan and cement ,..... Pozzolan and concrete1 "... Pozzolan, cement and concrete1,... Pozzolan, concrete1 and aggregate1... Pozzolan, cement, concrete1 and aggregate Reinforcing bars , , ,......, ,,.... Reinforcing bars with a concrete inspection.., , Concrete masonry unitslbrick..., ' C1 019 Optional (must request concrete masonry unitslbrickinspection with this option).. Concrete masonry unitslbrick with another inspection2..; h"..... ~......,,. Masonry mortar.., ;, ".., Masonry mortar with a cement or pozzolan inspection ", ; '.'.... Masonry mortar and concrete masonry unitslbrick ,,...,...,.... Masonry mortar and concrete masonry unitslbrick with a cement inspection2 " " Masonry mortar, Concrete masonry units/brick with another inspection2..'..... Extra compression testing machine3., ;,., NORMAL SEQUENCE. $3,510 $450 $4,570 $2,020 $2,630 $1,380 $5,400 $2,630 $4,380 $4,570 $5,990 $5,400 $6,500 $800 $680 $2,020 -$280 $1,380 $1,380 $280 $2,630 $1,650 $2,020 $680 OUT OF SEQUENCE $5,265. $675 $6,855 $3,030 $3,945 $2,070 $8,100 $3,945 $6,570 $6,855. $8,985. $8,100 $9,750 $1,200 $1,020 $3,030 $420 $2,070 $2,070 $420 $3,945 $2,475 $3,030 $1,020 Fee is based on the required methods inastm C1077. An additional fee ($150) is charged for each optional method requested by the laboratory and reviewed during the concrete or aggregate inspection. Optional methods available are listed below: C29, C42, C70, C78, C87, C88, C123, C131, C142, C157, C174, C192,C215, C227, C232, C233, C289; C293, C341, C403, C418, C441, C457, C469,C495, C496, C512, C535, C567, C586, C597, C641, C642, C666,C672, C684,C779, C801, C803, C805, C873, C876, C900, C918, C944, C1040, C1074, C1084, C1105, C1137, C1138, C1152, C1170, C1176, C1202, C1218, C1383, C1399, C1404, and02419 Does not include fees of other programs The inspection fees are based on the verification of one compression testing machine in each cement, concrete, pozzolan, masonry mortar, and masonry CMUlbrick testing laboratory and one tensile testing machine for the testing of steel reinforcing bars. A fee is charged for each additional machine. Optional method includes C186, C1012 & C1038 LlP.F19 Revised8/05

6 ACI Performance Examinations with CCRL Inspections When requesting an inspection, you may also request CCRL to conduct an American Concrete Institute (ACI) performance examination for either Concrete Laboratory TestingTechnician Grade 1 or Concrete Strength Testing Technician. Your inspection request must include a concrete and concrete aggregate inspection to have the. performanceexaminationfqrthe ConcreteLaboratoryTestingTechnicianGrade1. Your inspectionrequestmust include a concrete inspection to have the performance examination for the Concrete Strength Testing Technician. The cost per technician for the performance examinations is $150 for the Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician Program and $100 for the Concrete Strength Testing Technician Program. The ACI Certification Programs consist of two parts: a performance examination and a written examination. In certain areas a local ACI Sponsoring Group will provide the entire certification pmgram. Before you decide to take the performance examination portion with CCRL, it is your responsibility to contact ACI to determine when the written examination will be available to you locally and what arrangements you must make to complete the process. To prepare for these examinations, an ACI Technician Workbook is available from ACI headquarters in Detroit. For information on the program including the workbook and local Sponsoring Groups contact: Mr. John Conn.Manager, Certification Operations American Concrete Institute P.O. Box 9094 Farmington Hills, Michigan Tel: (248) Fax: (248) johnconn@concrete.org The following conditions apply to the performance examination provided by the CCRL: The cost(s) of the performance examinations are payable to CCRL. Fees for the written examination or other ACI charges are not included. Technicians to be tested must be employees of the testing laboratory receiving the standard CCRL Inspection. Due to time constraints of scheduling inspections, only the number of technicians requested on this form can be tested during the inspection. Technicians not passing the performance examination can not be retested by the CCRL until the- next tour. Arrangements will be made by ACI to accommodate a retest. Return this form along with the Inspection Request Form to the CCRL. Performance Examination Request Laboratory Name Check the Type and Enter Number of Technicians Address ( Concrete Laboratory Testing Technician - Grade 1. Number of Technicians _'. Concrete Strength Testing Technician. Number of Technicians~. Contact Name Telephone No. FAX No. **CCRL USE ONL Y** Request No. Master No. Lab No. Seq. No. LIP.F01 Revised2/06