# Quality Assurance & Quality Control

## **Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC) Department**

#### **Ensuring Excellence, Compliance, and Precision in Mega Construction Projects**

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### **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**.

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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.**

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### **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**.
