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What is Construction Project Testing?

Construction projects large and small require precise planning, careful design, and rigorous execution. Rigid specifications, demanding schedules, and exacting budgets must be met. Accurate and reliable test results require proper quality control and are absolute necessities in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders in the project, including owners, banks, construction companies, insurance companies, and the testers themselves.

steel beam testConstruction testing on any project—from commercial and industrial properties to government public works projects—may require services on a continuous or intermittent basis. Some testing companies bring mobile facilities and laboratory equipment to the job site; in other cases materials are brought to the lab for testing. The process includes not only inspection but tests covering a wide range of evaluation, examination and stress tolerance measurement on a significant number of different types of materials used in the construction process.

The services provided by an elite testing organization like UTS of Massachusetts help to ensure compliance with building codes and specifications published by all the leading associations and agencies that "set the bar" for quality construction practices. These include:

  • Foundation construction observations/inspections
  • Soil compaction testing and inspection
  • Concrete batch plant inspection
  • Concrete strength testing, concrete mix designs, and in-place strength investigations
  • Inspection of concrete placement and concrete curing
  • Post-tensioning and reinforcing steel inspection
  • Asphalt batch plant and pavement construction inspection
  • Complete laboratory testing of soil, concrete, asphalt and other construction materials
  • Field inspection and quality control of masonry construction
  • Mortar, grout, block and brick testing
  • Fireproofing testing
  • Steel fabrication inspection and erection and fastener inspection
  • Weld inspection and testing
  • Nondestructive examination (NDE)
  • Plant inspection for pre-manufactured products
  • Curtain wall and waterproofing inspection and testing

UTS Adds Certified Firestop Inspection

Industry firestop testing

UTS is pleased to announce we now have an IFC-certified inspector in our employ to serve the firestop inspection needs of our customers. IFC-certified inspectors must satisfactorily complete a rigorous 40-to-60-hour study and recommended-reading program, then proceed with an online examination which is proctored (overseen by an instructor). Let us help address all your firestop inspection needs.


Soil testing

Drainage inspection for a residential construction project

Testing and Inspection Disciplines

Soils and Aggregates Testing

UTS of Massachusetts offers specialized skills at providing fill placement monitoring, density testing, geotechnical observations, and many other soil-related services. These services are typically performed during excavation activities and serve the purpose of determining whether all load-bearing surfaces or areas are in accordance with the project requirements or able to provide the necessary bearing that has been specified.

Concrete Testing

Concrete (both poured and precast) is inspected and tested to ascertain that all specified conditions meet the acceptable criteria specified for the project. This is achieved by visual, mechanical, non-destructive, or destructive methods. Tests are performed in accordance with documented testing procedures published by the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and we make extensive use of up-to-date industry information provided by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL).

Window Testing

Our window testing team specializes in air and water testing per AAMA 502-12 "Voluntary Specification for Field Testing of Newly Installed Fenestration Products", in conjunction with ASTM E783 "Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Air Leakage through Exterior Windows and Doors" and ASTM E1105 "Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference". We are also capable of diagnostic water testing per AAMA 501.2 "Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems".

Floor Flatness Testing

We provide expert-level services of an experienced technician to conduct testing concrete floor slab(s) for F(f) and F(l) tolerances conducted in accordance with the provisions set forth in ASTM-1155-14 using an Allen Face Co. D-Meter measuring device. Our test results help clients ensure that floors are level and in accordance with building requirements.

Laboratory Testing

Our Stoneham, MA testing laboratory has state-of the-art equipment that is continually inspected and calibrated in accordance with the highest industry quality assurance standards. The lab is capable of testing materials that include soils, aggregates, concrete, precast concrete, masonry, steel, and asphalt.

Masonry Testing

Structural masonry is inspected and tested to verify that all specified conditions meet the acceptance criteria specified for the project. As with concrete, this is typically achieved by visual, mechanical, nondestructive, or destructive methods. Tests are performed in accordance with the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the Masonry Institute of America (MIA), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the International Building Codes (IBC) testing and inspection procedures.

Structural Steel Inspection and Testing

Structural steel and the welding and assembly processes applied to it are inspected and tested for compliance with current standards and to ensure they meet the acceptable criteria specified for the project. As with concrete and masontry, this is achieved by visual, mechanical, nondestructive, or destructive methods. Tests are performed in accordance AWS (American Welding Society), AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) and ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) codes and standards.

Spray-Applied Fireproofing Testing and Inspection

Testing of fire-resistive materials and their application is a specialty at UTS. Our ICC certified test engineers perform visual and physical tests to identify the condition of the substrates, thickness of the application, density, bond strength, adhesion/cohesion, and condition of the finished application. We also perform inspections of patching to spray-applied fire-resistive material to ensure the techniques applied meet the original project specifications. There is a technical difference between "fire resistive" and "fireproof", although in practice the two terms are used to mean the same thing. Underwriters Laboratories® specifies different standards for the relative fire-resistant qualities of materials, and while nothing can be considered completely fireproof (because anything will burn, given enough heat) the differences can be important from a testing perspective. Statistics have shown that the average fire burns for 20 minutes at 700 degrees; a UL Class One Hour Rating means that fireproofing material can withstand temperatures reaching 1,700 Fahrenheit for one hour—a relatively high level of "fireproofing". Our testing and expertise takes these considerations into account.

Specialty Testing and Inspections

UTS has the ability to test and inspect virtually any material used in general construction, and can offer unique capabilities to test materials used in everyday activities, such as playground surfaces, where testing of soils for thermal resistivity may be a requirement.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

We often encounter situations where non-destructive testing (NDT) is a requirment. The staff at UTS includes Level I-III NDT personnel certified in ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, radiography, and visual inspection techniques and related technologies. Using these highly sophisticated tools, UTS can provide accurate and reliable test results from analysis of soils, concrete, asphalt, steel, and virtually any material used in the construction process.

IFC-Certified Firestop Inspection

Expertise in Firestop Inspection and Testing

UTS of Massachusetts provides the services of an experienced inspector to provide inspection for compliance to project specifications.

Inspection and testing of through-penetration firestop systems in fire-rated floor and wall assemblies is performed in accordance with ASTM E 2174, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops.

Inspection and testing of fire resistive joints and perimeter barriers in done accordance with ASTM E 2393, Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers.

FIRESTOPPING INSPECTION

We also provide the services of an experienced International Firestop Council (IFC) certified inspector to visually inspect and test firestop systems and to review project plans and specifications as needed for compliance with:

  • ASTM E2174-Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops
  • ASTM E-2393-Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Resistive Joint System and Perimeter Fire Barriers.

SCOPE OF WORK

FIRESTOP — UTS of Massachusetts can perform visual/destructive testing and inspections on firestops as well as review project plans and specifications as needed per ASTM E2174 and ASTM E2393. We employ International Firestop Council (IFC) certified inspectors in order to provide state-of-the-art, best-in-class firestop inspection and testing.