The Concrete Batch Plant Audit Checklist

A concrete batch plant audit checklist provides an inspector with a tool for ensuring specification compliance before beginning operations and familiarizing himself with its operation.

Wind protection should be implemented and checked regularly, including hanger bearing and feeder screw inspections.

1. Equipment
Concrete batch plants are used to blend various ingredients together into concrete, such as sand, water, aggregate (rocks and gravel), fly ash, potash and cement. These batching plants may be stationary or mobile depending on your construction site location.

The layout of a plant should be designed for maximum efficiency and to segregate materials efficiently, including areas dedicated to cement storage, sand storage and water. Furthermore, an efficient mixer should meet project needs.

Cleanliness in regards to mixer and weighing units is of utmost importance, with daily operation using stones and water in order to extend its lifespan and ensure its safe operation. In terms of safety measures, emergency shutdown switches, safety disconnects on conveyor and turn head motors as well as handrails installed at ladders, stairs and top floor levels should always be adhered to as well as regular checks on electrical wiring inspection.

2. Process
A concrete batch plant is a machine used to mix the components of concrete together and pour it into forms for use on construction sites. These large machines typically handle high volumes of material quickly.

An important step in keeping a concrete batching plant running smoothly is inspecting and maintaining it regularly, with emphasis placed on all equipment working as intended and remaining clean. Furthermore, conveyor belts that transport ingredients or mix should also be regularly checked and lubricated.

Record keeping for concrete production is also vitally important. This includes inspection requests, okey cards and trip cards that pertain to quality control of materials. Such documentation should be stored both digitally and physically for optimal quality control of precast concrete products that are manufactured.

3. Safety
Concrete batch plants must incorporate adequate safeguards to protect workers. For instance, mixers should be regularly lubricated to avoid breakdowns.

A concrete batch plant should include emergency shutdown switches for its conveyors and mixing compartment, safety disconnects on turn head motors, as well as regular cleaning of its mixer.

Concrete mixes must be produced at the appropriate temperature before pouring, so a mixing plant should include provisions to cool ingredients with water or ice during hot weather. Direct exposure of batch plants to strong summer sun could raise their bulk temperature significantly above that of ambient air temperatures, increasing bulk temperatures of materials such as equipment, forms, and metallic embedments beyond what would otherwise be expected.

Prior to undertaking concrete placements, licensees should review QA/QC audits, construction specifications, and work procedures to assess their technical suitability. When considering staff adequacy it is vital that we consider both capabilities and effectiveness rather than numbers alone.

4. Administration
Concrete is an in-situ construction material produced by mixing Cement (C), Fine Aggregates (FA), Coarse Aggregates (CA) and Water together in situ, often supplemented with mineral or chemical additives.

A concrete batch plant is a machine used to produce measured doses of concrete in batches. It comprises numerous components including mixer, conveyors, cement bins/silos, heaters/chillers, water tank etc.

The Concrete Batching Plant Audit Checklist is an in-depth list that concrete inspectors use to ascertain whether a batching and mixing plant meets specific specifications and to familiarize themselves with its operation.

A quality concrete batching plant should feature effective safety measures to prevent accidents and injuries, including mandatory wearing of protective equipment such as helmets and aprons, well-kept ladders and stairs, emergency shutdown switches on turn head motors and conveyors and safety disconnects for turn head motors and conveyors.