Quality Assurance & Quality Control
Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) Department
Ensuring Excellence, Compliance, and Precision in Mega Construction Projects
1. Introduction
The Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) Department at BEC Arabia plays a critical role in maintaining construction quality standards, regulatory compliance, and project excellence. By implementing structured quality management processes, QA/QC ensures:
✅ Adherence to contract specifications, Saudi Building Code (SBC), and international standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001). ✅ Proactive quality planning, inspection, and testing across all project phases. ✅ Elimination of defects, rework reduction, and process improvement through preventive actions. ✅ Compliance with FIDIC, NEC, and local authority regulations for quality control. ✅ Continuous monitoring and improvement of construction quality through audits, reporting, and corrective actions.
With a 360° approach to quality assurance and control, BEC Arabia guarantees that all projects meet client expectations, regulatory mandates, and performance benchmarks.
2. QA/QC Department Responsibilities & Scope
The QA/QC Department functions as an independent entity that oversees and verifies construction quality, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and safety standards.
2.1 Key Responsibilities
QA/QC Function
Key Responsibilities
Integration with Other Departments
Quality Assurance (QA)
Develops quality policies, plans, and procedures
Collaborates with Engineering, Procurement, & HSE
Quality Control (QC)
Conducts inspections, testing, and compliance audits
Works with Site Teams, Contractors, & Consultants
Non-Conformance Management
Identifies, reports, and resolves quality issues
Coordinates with Construction & Engineering
Material & Equipment Verification
Ensures compliance with technical specifications
Works with Procurement & Logistics
Regulatory & ISO Compliance
Implements ISO 9001, SBC, and contractual quality standards
Engages with Regulatory Bodies & Clients
📌 Benchmark: All quality processes must be documented, monitored, and continuously improved.
3. Quality Management Framework & Governance
3.1 QA/QC Organizational Structure
Role
Responsibilities
QA/QC Director
Defines quality policies & ensures compliance with ISO & regulatory standards.
Quality Assurance Manager
Develops & enforces QA plans, training programs, and documentation controls.
Quality Control Manager
Oversees QC inspections, testing, and site compliance monitoring.
QA/QC Engineers & Inspectors
Conducts field inspections, audits, and material testing.
Document Control & Compliance
Manages records, non-conformance reports (NCRs), and approval processes.
📌 Benchmark: QA/QC must operate independently from construction teams to maintain unbiased quality enforcement.
4. Quality Assurance (QA) Policies & Standards
4.1 Quality Planning & Policy Implementation
✅ All projects must have a Quality Management Plan (QMP) approved before execution. ✅ Quality standards must align with ISO 9001, FIDIC, NEC, and SBC regulations. ✅ Contractual obligations must be integrated into the QA framework.
📌 Deliverables:
Project-Specific Quality Management Plans (QMP).
Inspection & Test Plans (ITP) for all construction activities.
Continuous training & quality awareness programs.
📌 Benchmark: 100% of projects must follow approved QA plans.
5. Quality Control (QC) Procedures & Inspection Framework
5.1 QC Inspections & Testing Requirements
✅ Site inspections must be conducted as per the Inspection Test Plan (ITP). ✅ Material & equipment must be tested for compliance before installation. ✅ All test results must be documented in quality reports.
📌 Types of QC Inspections:
Incoming Material Inspections – Ensures raw materials meet specifications.
Process Inspections – Monitors work in progress for compliance.
Final Inspections & Handover – Verifies completed works before acceptance.
📌 Benchmark: ≥ 98% defect-free project completion rate.
6. Non-Conformance Management & Corrective Actions
6.1 Non-Conformance Reporting (NCR) Policy
✅ All quality deviations must be documented in an NCR. ✅ NCRs must be resolved within a defined corrective action timeframe. ✅ Root Cause Analysis (RCA) must be conducted for recurring NCRs.
📌 Resolution Process:
NCR Issued → Contractor Notified → Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Implemented → Final Inspection & Closure
📌 Benchmark: 90% of NCRs must be closed within the agreed timeframe.
7. Material & Equipment Verification Process
7.1 Material Testing & Compliance Checks
✅ All materials must have technical approvals before procurement. ✅ Materials must pass factory acceptance testing (FAT) & third-party lab verification. ✅ Supplier audits must be conducted for high-risk materials.
📌 Benchmark: 100% material compliance verification before site use.
8. Regulatory Compliance & ISO Standards
8.1 Compliance with Saudi Building Code (SBC) & ISO Standards
✅ All quality procedures must align with SBC, ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001. ✅ Municipality & authority approvals must be secured for compliance. ✅ QA/QC reports must be available for regulatory audits.
📌 Benchmark: Zero regulatory violations or non-compliance penalties.
9. Quality Audit & Continuous Improvement
9.1 Internal & External Quality Audits
✅ Monthly internal quality audits must be conducted. ✅ Annual third-party audits must verify ISO compliance. ✅ All audit findings must result in corrective action implementation.
📌 Benchmark: 100% audit compliance with no major findings.
10. Digital QA/QC Monitoring & Reporting
10.1 Digital Tools for Quality Tracking
Technology
Functionality
Application in QA/QC
Aconex (EDMS)
Document Control, NCR Tracking
Ensures quality compliance & documentation management
BIM 360
3D Model Integration, Clash Detection
Ensures design quality before execution
SAP ERP
Procurement Integration, Material Approval
Verifies supplier compliance with specifications
Power BI Dashboards
Quality KPI Monitoring
Tracks approval timelines, NCR closure rates
📌 Benchmark: 100% digital quality tracking for transparency & audit readiness.
11. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & Quality Metrics
KPI Name
Definition
Target Benchmark
Defect Rate (%)
% of defects identified per project phase
≤ 2%
NCR Closure Rate (%)
% of NCRs resolved within the deadline
≥ 95%
Material Compliance Rate (%)
% of materials approved without rejection
≥ 98%
Regulatory Compliance Score (%)
% compliance with SBC, ISO, and contract terms
≥ 99%
📌 Benchmark: All QA/QC KPIs must be tracked & reported monthly.
12. Conclusion
The QA/QC Department at BEC Arabia ensures: ✅ Robust quality assurance frameworks for compliance with ISO, SBC, and FIDIC. ✅ Proactive inspections, testing, and defect prevention strategies. ✅ Full compliance with regulatory and contractual quality standards. ✅ Continuous improvement through digital tracking, audits, and performance monitoring.
By embedding a structured quality management system, BEC Arabia guarantees defect-free, high-quality construction projects that meet and exceed client expectations.
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