Civil Engineering Quality Assurance Made Simple: Template Demonstration

Scenario:

You are a QA/QC Officer on a commercial building project in London. During routine inspection, the podium slab concrete pour failed to meet the specified 28-day compressive strength. You need to document the issue, analyze causes, and propose corrective actions.

Relevant UK Standards & Legislation:

• BS EN ISO 9001:2015 – Quality management systems
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – Risk management, process control
• Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) – Structural integrity and workmanship
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) – Safe quality management

Step 1: Document Header and Project Details

Field	Example Entry
Project Name	London Riverside Commercial Project
Location	London, UK
Document Type	QC/QA Inspection Report
Document Number	QC/QA-CR-001
Date of Issue	6 December 2025
Prepared by	QA/QC Officer: John Smith
Reviewed by	Project Manager: Jane Doe

Assessor Notes:

• Ensures traceability and accountability.
• Always include UK project location and responsible personnel

Step 2: Purpose of the Report

“This report documents the inspection findings for the podium slab concrete pour, identifies non-conformance with specified 28-day compressive strength, analyzes potential causes, and recommends corrective actions in compliance with BS EN ISO 9001:2015 and UK Building Regulations.”

Assessor Notes:

Item	Observation / Findings
Concrete Pour Date	4 December 2025
Location	Podium Slab – Level 2
Test Method	Cube Test – 28-day compressive strength
Specified Strength	40 MPa
Tested Strength	36 MPa
Deviation	10% below specification
Immediate Action Taken	Pour isolated, site team informed, additional testing initiated

Assessor Notes:

• Document objective findings.
• Include both specification requirements and actual results.

Step 4: Analysis of Causes

Possible Cause	Evidence / Observation
Poor concrete mix design	Site batching records indicate incorrect cement ratio
Inadequate curing	Curing schedule not strictly followed
Material quality variation	Cement from new supplier batch; certificate pending review
Environmental factors	Low temperature during pour; inadequate protection

Assessor Notes:

• Demonstrates analytical reasoning and understanding of QC/QA principles (LO2).
• Links practical observations to process improvements.

Step 5: Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)

Action	Responsibility	Deadline	Status
Re-test all recent concrete pours	QC Inspector	7 Dec 2025	Pending
Review and adjust concrete mix	Project Engineer / Lab	8 Dec 2025	Pending
Reinforce curing schedule adherence	Site Supervisor	Immediate	Ongoing
Supplier verification & certification audit	QA Officer	10 Dec 2025	Planned
Staff training on QA/QC procedures	QA Officer / Training Dept	15 Dec 2025	Planned

Assessor Notes:

• Reflects practical application of QA (preventive) and QC (corrective) measures.
• Shows stakeholder accountability, aligned with LO4.

Step 6: Risk Assessment – Related to Concrete Pour NonConformance

Risk Identification Table:

Hazard / Issue	Potential Consequence	Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating	Control Measures
Weak concrete strength	Structural failure, delays	Medium	High	High	Re-testing, adjust mix, strengthen QA procedures
Inadequate curing	Surface cracking, durability issues	Medium	Medium	Medium	Monitor curing schedule, use curing compounds
Material quality inconsistency	Noncompliance with spec	Medium	High	High	Supplier certification audit, lab testing
Human error / miscommunication	Non-conformity not reported	Medium	Medium	Medium	QA reporting protocol, staff training

Assessor Notes:

• Integrates risk assessment into QC/QA reporting.
• Demonstrates LO1 & LO2: understanding QC/QA objectives and preventive
  measures.

Step 7: References to UK Standards and Legislation

1. BS EN ISO 9001:2015 – Ensuring quality management systems and process control
2. Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) – Responsibility for QA planning, risk assessment, and process audits
3. Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) – Ensuring structural integrity, material quality, and workmanship standards
4. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA) – Safety and quality integration on construction sites

Assessor Notes:

• Always reference relevant UK regulations.
• Strengthens compliance awareness (LO1, LO4).

Step 8: Submission and Sign-Off

| Prepared by | QA/QC Officer: John Smith |
| Reviewed by | Project Manager: Jane Doe |
| Approved by | Client Representative |
| Date | 6 December 2025 |

Assessor Notes:

• Demonstrates formal approval process, traceability, and accountability.
• Links QA/QC documentation to stakeholder roles (LO4).

Learner Task

1. Review the Template Demonstration:

• Understand how QC/QA principles are applied in real project documentation.
• Note the integration of UK-specific standards and legislation references

2.Complete a Risk Assessment / QA Report for a Hypothetical Scenario:

• Example: Steel reinforcement placement deviation during beam construction.
• Include: Header, purpose, observations, analysis, corrective/preventive actions, risk assessment table, references to UK standards, and sign-off.

3. Annotate Your Submission:

• Explain how each section addresses learning outcomes (LO1–LO4).
• Highlight preventive vs corrective actions, stakeholder responsibilities, and regulatory compliance.

4. Submission Requirements:

• Length: 3–4 pages
• Include tables, risk assessment charts, and clear headings
• Reference relevant UK standards and legislation

Expected Learner Outcomes

Upon completing this task, learners will be able to:

1. Demonstrate practical application of QC/QA principles in civil engineering documentation.
2. Understand differences between QC (reactive) and QA (proactive) processes.
3. Perform structured risk assessments and corrective action planning.
4. Identify and assign responsibilities to stakeholders in maintaining quality standards.
5. Produce professional, UK-compliant QC/QA reports ready for submission and approval.