Geotechnical and Construction Materials Division

The Division Executive meets regularly to address key issues that affect the Geotechnical and Construction Materials testing industry and provide guidance to certification programs within the Division.  CCIL provides certification programs for asphalt and aggregate testing laboratories and laboratory technicians, and in 2009, CCIL has acquired the former CSA Concrete Laboratory Qualification Program.

The certification programs for asphalt and aggregates are overseen by Certification Program Administration Committees (CPAC).  The CPACs are comprised of representatives from industry stakeholder organizations, including:

Ontario CPAC

      CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories
      OHMPA - Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association
      OSSGA – Ontario Stone Sand and Gravel Association
      MTO - Ministry of Transportation of Ontario
      MEA - Municipal Engineers Association

British Columbia CPAC

      CCIL - Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories
      BCRHCA – BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association
      BCMOT – British Columbia Ministry of Transportation
      MMCD – Master Municipal Construction Documents Association

Alberta

In 2009, the western Canada asphalt certification program was expanded to include Alberta, in response to the needs of Alberta laboratories.  The Alberta program is in its infancy, but is expected to include 25 to 30 laboratories in the first year.

The mandate of the CPAC committees is to establish and direct the technical elements of the programs.  The operations and management of the certification programs are administered by CCIL’s Program Manager and technical staff.  For more information on the Certification Programs, please contact:

Nabil Kamel, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., CCIL Program Manager
Telephone: (905) 632-6456  Fax:  (905) 632-1990  E-mail:  nkamel@ccil.com

CCIL Asphalt and aggregate Laboratory Certification Programs

(Types A, B, C, D & E)

CCIL’s Asphalt Laboratory Certification Programs have developed over the past twenty five years and continue to evolve to respond to new responsibilities, challenges, technologies, and testing procedures in the quality control/quality assurance testing industry. 

CCIL offers the following categories of laboratory certification:

Marshall and Superpave mix design and mix compliance testing (Type “A” Certification)
Hot mix and Superpave compliance testing (Type “B” Certification)
Recovered penetration of extracted asphalt (Type “E” Certification)
Basic level aggregate testing (Type “C” Certification)
Advanced aggregate quality testing (Type “D” Certification)

CCIL’s Laboratory Certification Programs have four mandatory components:  satisfactory participation in an annual inter-laboratory correlation program; CCIL laboratory inspection, CCIL certified laboratory technicians, and a laboratory quality manual / quality system. 

The first component of the laboratory certification program is satisfactory participation in an annual inter-laboratory correlation.  This correlation program distributes prepared samples to participating laboratories, which subsequently test the samples and submit the results to  CCIL’s Program Manager for statistical analysis. 

The second component of the asphalt laboratory certification is a CCIL inspection at least once every two years.  The inspections verify that appropriate equipment and personnel are in place, that the laboratory equipment is calibrated and properly maintained and that the laboratory is following up-to-date testing procedures.

A third requirement for laboratory certification is the use of certified laboratory technicians.  Each CCIL certified laboratory must employ at least one certified laboratory technician.  Technicians meet minimum requirements for training and “hands-on” experience and must pass practical and written examinations before becoming CCIL Certified. A certification card is issued to each CCIL certified technician.

The fourth component of CCIL laboratory certification is an appropriate laboratory quality manual and quality system.  CCIL’s certification program has developed a laboratory quality manual template and user guide as an aid for laboratories developing a quality system.

Petrographer Certification

CCIL has implemented a petrographer certification program, in response to industry needs.  The program requires that a minimum level of experience as a petrographer is demonstrated, and that a demonstrated proficiency in petrographic examination of aggregates through a correlation program is achieved.  In some cases, participation in a CCIL course in petrography may be required where the experience level of the petrographer does not meet minimum requirements established by the CPAC Committee.

Concrete Laboratory Certification Program

In 2009, CCIL acquired the former CSA Concrete Laboratory Qualification Program.  CCIL’s twenty-seven year history of running successful laboratory certification programs was a strong incentive for CSA to turn the program over to CCIL.  The acquisition of the CSA program allows for an orderly transfer and the continuation of a quality certification program staffed by highly trained CCIL materials testing engineers, scientists and inspectors.  Currently, there are 215 qualified laboratories in Canada that will be grandfathered into the new CCIL program.  Concrete laboratories will continue to be audited in accordance with CSA A283-06 by CCIL.

June 19, 2009