FEATURE
• Sampling for penetration and retention Treating plants shall perform sampling and inspection of all treated products .
• Preservative Plant Quality Control shall determine that the preservative used in each treatment conforms to the requirements for the preservative specified .
• Recording of treatment process
• Treating equipment shall have separate and visible temperature , pressure , and vacuum indicators with separate sensors for checking the accuracy of the recording equipment . Work tanks shall be equipped with a temperature indicator . Treating cylinders shall be equipped with a time and temperature recorder and with an indicating thermometer .
• Treatment The treatment shall conform to the customer specification for the commodity and type of treatment specified . Plant Quality Control shall maintain records on the cycles of treatment and the tank gauge readings and temperatures .
Careful observation during treatment shall be made of temperatures and pressures , and their duration , to make certain that minimum retentions are achieved .
• Results of treatment : ͦ Following treatment , an examination shall be made of the charge for any mechanical or treatment damage . ͦ Plant Quality Control shall bore the treated material in each and every charge to determine conformance with the penetration specified . Quality Control shall also determine , for every charge by the method specified , that the preservative retention conforms to the specification . ͦ Determination by the assay method , is the most accurate method and is recommended by most countries .
ROLE OF THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATION
The inspection of a batch of poles is not sufficient . It is important for the customers and the industry that all poles supplied are through a certification mark scheme .
Key benefits of third-party certification body : |
1 . |
Ensure the quality and quantity of the product ; |
2 . |
Ensure the marking and product as per buyer specification ; and |
3 . |
Ensure the material is genuine and as per specified standard . |
A certification body is a third party and an independent inspection agency which provides facilities in the different type of field without discriminatory decision . In the wooden pole market in Africa third party inspections can play a very important role in ensuring the wooden pole remains the preferred transmission and telecoms utility pole over the concrete and steel poles .
The biggest challenge in African specifications is the lack of testing and data on the fibre strength of the different species grown in Africa .
UNSPLASH
IMPROVED PRODUCT QUALITY
One of the most important benefits of third-party inspection for suppliers is the quality improvement that often results . Sometimes inspection reveals a product defect that is easily preventable . Regardless of whether the defect is major , minor , or critical , knowing about it before shipping helps the supplier address the root cause to correct the underlying problem .
www . timberiq . co . za // AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2021 21