Florida Administrative Code › 14 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 14 - Departmental › Chapter 14-103 - CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES › Section 14-103.006 - Quality Control Program

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
The QCP developed by the producer for each source shall
				  contain at a minimum the following elements:
(1) Identification of the Physical Location
				of Source. The identification of the physical location of the source must
				include a description of the property site, township, range, and section, and
				reference to the nearest identifiable points such as highways and towns, in
				order to find the location easily by public roadway.
(2) Location of Designated QC Office. The
				source shall designate the location of its QC office, which shall have
				responsibility for the administration of its QCP and the custodianship of QC
				records. When the QC office is located separate from the source, the
				identification must include the physical address and reference to the nearest
				identifiable points such as highways and towns, in order to find the location
				easily by public roadway. An office, so designated, shall be available to its
				own QC personnel and the Department during all QC operations. A copy of the
				QCP,
Construction Aggregates Manual
, and all pertinent
				excerpts and references of the
Sampling and Testing Methods
,
				as well as current test data and control charts, shall be available at the QC
				office and to its personnel at all times.
(3) Documentation of the Producer's Status.
				See subsection 14-103.003(18),
				F.A.C.
(4) A Production Flow
				Diagram. The production flow diagram must include a step-by-step written
				description or flow chart indicating the points involved with all aspects of
				mining, processing, sampling, and testing the aggregate from natural state to
				finished product, including all re-handling prior to the load-out of the
				aggregate.
(5) Labeling Stored
				Aggregate. The labeling of stockpiles, storage silos, bins, etc., of aggregate
				must include the clear and precise labeling by sign as to grade and Department
				code.
(6) Prevention of
				Contamination, Segregation, and Degradation. The handling and storage of
				aggregates shall be in such manner as to minimize any segregation or
				degradation and to prevent contamination by foreign materials. When stockpiles
				of aggregates cannot be stored sufficiently remote from each other to prevent
				mixing, suitable baffles shall be provided which will prevent intermingling of
				the different stockpiles.
(7) A
				Loading and Shipping Controls. A loading and shipping controls program must
				include a detailed description of the methods by which the product is to be
				loaded and shipped for use on Department projects, including safeguards against
				loading improper aggregate and contamination, degradation, or segregation of
				aggregate. The program shall also include methods of ensuring shipping in clean
				haul units and accurate identification and certification of products.
(8) Sampling. A sampling plan identifying all
				specific sampling points and locations, including intermediate points in
				process control even though the data will not be entered into the Department's
				computer program, as well as sampling of the finished product that is as
				closely representative of shipped material as possible. Sampling methods must
				be described in detail and in accordance with the
Sampling and Testing
				Methods
, and must be based on standard statistical practices,
				including the designation of lots and sub-lots, if applicable.
(9) Initial Quality Control. The Department
				will assign the initial sampling and testing frequencies for newly approved
				products at a level specified for less than 95% compliance as shown in
				Appendices 1 through 18 of the
Construction Aggregates Manual
,
				until a history of test data is developed.
(10) Minimum Quality Control. The Department
				will assign QC sampling frequencies for products on the Conditional QC
				Certification System in accordance with subsection
				14-103.0071(2),
				F.A.C. For products on the Full QC Certification System, the producer shall
				monitor its data to assure continued compliance with Section 1.2 and Section 2
				of the
Construction Aggregates Manual.
The producer shall
				notify the Department in writing of any prescribed changes in product status or
				QC sampling frequencies. Any reduction in QC sampling and testing frequencies
				must be pre-approved by the Department and be supported by applicable QC and
				verification data. The Department will assign QC sampling frequencies for
				products on the Full QC Certification System in accordance with Section 1.2 of
				the
Construction Aggregates Manual.
(11) Analysis and Recording of Data.
(a) The producer must have the necessary
				equipment (i.e., computer) to perform statistical analyses and maintain
				adequate records of all samples, test results (including worksheets and sample
				weights), and other actions to verify the effectiveness of its QCP and to
				substantiate aggregate compliance with all applicable specifications. These
				records shall indicate the nature and number of tests made, statistical
				analysis, the number and types of deficiencies found, the quantities approved
				and rejected, and the nature of the corrective actions taken. Producer test
				data is to be recorded in standardized format. The Department will initially
				provide the appropriate computer coding forms and electronic submittal
				formats.
(b) The QCP shall include
				a procedure that will chart, review, and analyze test data so as to effectively
				evaluate control of the process. The control charts and analyses shall be
				maintained current with each day's test results and be immediately available
				for review by QC and Department personnel. Other data must be maintained and
				available for inspection by Department personnel. As a minimum, the Department
				will require control charts for gradation on critical sieves, and for other
				required tests for which the producer's initial approval data indicates less
				than the 100% compliance level shown in Appendices 1 through 18 of the
Construction Aggregates Manual.
The producer may determine the
				type of control chart most useful in the process; however, control charts using
				average and range will be considered the minimum acceptable in the absence of
				more advanced charting. The producer may chart process control tests in lieu of
				QC tests, provided that process control samples are taken from the finished
				product and are at a greater frequency than the QC tests. The QCP must include
				examples of the control charts used.
(c) All QC test results for materials
				produced under this rule chapter must be reported to the Department. The
				producer shall monitor its own data for compliance with Section 1.2 and Section
				2 of the
Construction Aggregates Manual.
When there is an
				indication that the process is not being adequately controlled in compliance
				with the QCP, the producer shall immediately take the necessary steps to adjust
				the process.