The state-of-the-art labs will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies to ensure that materials used for the projects adhere to quality standards set by Ashghal.
In the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ashghal is involved in multi-billion riyal projects. The idea behind launching the mobile laboratories is to make sure, in a better and more efficient manner, that all its projects are strictly following quality guidelines set by the country.
"The labs will be equipped with advanced apparatus capable of conducting all sorts of tests, including chemical and geological tests. The labs will make sure the projects are strictly following the quality, safety and environmental standards being set by the country", an Arabic daily reported.
Currently, over a dozen private laboratories authorised by Ashghal conduct quality checks on construction material used in its projects. As per the existing practice, it is the responsibility of the engineers and consultants to ensure that materials testing laboratories proposed by the contractor are totally independent and in no way related to the contractor or sub-contractors. Ashghal recently suspended the approval of a lab pending improvement in its quality systems and full compliance with its requirements.
Ashghal believes that the new system will help ensure the quality of its projects in a foolproof manner. The mobile team will be led by Ashghal's quality and safety department inspection team.
The mobile units are equipped with apparatus to test soil, aggregate, concrete, roads and pavements, and fire resistance. It can also carry out geotechnical and environmental tests. The road testing equipment in the mobile laboratory can check the quality of the asphalt mixture and even assess the lifespan of the road. It can test the density and temperature of the asphalt and determine the thickness and density of bitumen.
"The test to reconfirm the quality of the asphalt mixture is the first of its kind to be launched in the region. The lab has the facility to assess the quality of the treated water being used to make the mixture", the daily reported.
In the event of the mobile laboratories finding that a contractor had compromised with quality standards, Ashghal will get its results checked by internationally competent labs to reconfirm the findings.