SMSTS Quality Control Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) defines which of the following for each construction activity?
- Cost and programme only
- Inspection type, frequency, acceptance criteria, and responsible party (Correct answer)
- Only the safety precautions required
- The number of operatives needed
Correct answer: Inspection type, frequency, acceptance criteria, and responsible party
An ITP specifies for each activity what to inspect, how often, what standard must be met, and who is responsible for the inspection.
Question 2: What is the key difference between a 'witness point' and a 'hold point' in an inspection and test plan?
- Witness points require third-party sign-off; hold points do not
- Work can proceed past a witness point if the inspector is unavailable; it cannot at a hold point (Correct answer)
- Hold points are for safety only; witness points are for quality
- There is no practical difference between the two
Correct answer: Work can proceed past a witness point if the inspector is unavailable; it cannot at a hold point
At a witness point the inspector is notified and invited to attend but work may continue if they are unavailable, whereas a hold point requires their approval before proceeding.
Question 3: Grout cubes and concrete slump tests are examples of what category of quality control activity?
- Document control
- In-process testing (Correct answer)
- Audit
- Benchmarking
Correct answer: In-process testing
Slump tests and cube sampling are in-process tests that verify material properties during the construction activity, not retrospectively.
Question 4: A site manager receives a batch of steel reinforcement without a mill certificate. What should they do?
- Accept the material if it looks correct visually
- Quarantine the material and obtain the certificate before allowing use (Correct answer)
- Ask operatives to test it informally
- Return all material to the supplier immediately without further action
Correct answer: Quarantine the material and obtain the certificate before allowing use
Materials without traceability documentation must be quarantined until certification confirming specification compliance is received.
Question 5: Which quality management standard is most commonly referenced for construction organizations' quality management systems?
- ISO 45001
- ISO 9001 (Correct answer)
- ISO 14001
- ISO 50001
Correct answer: ISO 9001
ISO 9001 sets the criteria for a quality management system and is the most widely referenced standard for construction quality systems.
Question 6: 'First-fix' and 'second-fix' inspections in building work are examples of:
- Final account milestones
- Stage inspections that verify work before it is concealed by subsequent operations (Correct answer)
- Health and safety walk-round reports
- Client handover stages
Correct answer: Stage inspections that verify work before it is concealed by subsequent operations
Stage inspections at first and second fix ensure concealed work such as pipework and wiring meets specification before being closed in by finishes.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a pre-pour inspection before placing concrete in formwork?
- To calculate the volume of concrete required
- To confirm reinforcement, cover, cleanliness, and formwork dimensions meet specification before concrete is cast (Correct answer)
- To check the readiness of the concrete delivery truck
- To obtain client approval for colour and finish
Correct answer: To confirm reinforcement, cover, cleanliness, and formwork dimensions meet specification before concrete is cast
A pre-pour inspection verifies that all embedded items, reinforcement placement, concrete cover, and formwork are correct and acceptable before the irreversible act of placing concrete.
SMSTS Quality Control Procedures 3
An Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) defines which of the following for each construction activity?