Q1. Who is responsible for the oversight of Buildings within NCDOT such as Rest Areas?
A1. The Quality Systems Unit reviews items associated with these type projects as well as any other projects that are State / Federally funded for Project Certification. Project Personnel (Resident Engineers Staff) perform regular testing for Concrete (Building Slab), Asphalt (Parking Area), etc. Building codes and inspection belong to the individual county / city municipalities. All materials, testing and inspection documentation is submitted to Materials and Tests Quality Systems Unit to insure compliance with NCDOT, City or County, as well as any Federal regulations / standards.
There are also items in the Materials & Tests Minimum Sampling Guide for "Buildings" and "Rest Areas".
FENCING MATERIALS
Q1. Do fencing materials have to be sampled on the project?
A1. Fencing materials (and other materials) delivered to a project without proper paperwork or hasn't been checked at the suppliers facility has to be sampled on site and sent to the M&T Lab for testing.
Q2. What fence items need to be tested / entered into Hicams?
GEOFABRICS / GEOTEXTILES
Q1. How do I know the correct application for different types of engineering fabric / textile?
A1. See following recent Standard Specification or Provision:
NCDOT Standard Specifications, Section 1056 - Geosynthetics and
Geotechnical Standard Provision #11 - Geotextile for Pavement Stabilization.
Click here for a list of approved Geotextile Materials.
Q1. Where do I find information for Grading?
A1. Refer to
Section 226 of the NCDOT Standard Specifications (Earthwork) and also
Section 200 of the NCDOT Construction Manual.
GROUT
Q1. Where do I find information for Grout, it's applications and if it's approved or not?
GUARDRAIL
Q1. Where do I find information for Guardrail and if it's approved or not?
A1. See the following policy, requirements, and Standard Drawings regarding guardrail:
Policy Letters
Procedures
Standard Drawings and Addendums - (2018)
Q1. What requirements are there for Landscaping items?
A1. The
Minimum Sampling Guide requires manufacturer's certifications and test reports for
Landscaping items. The
Roadside Environmental Section is responsible for most post-construction landscaping.
LIGHTING AND ELECTRICAL
Q1. Are there requirements for Lighting and Electrical items?
A1. The
Minimum Sampling Guide requires manufacturer's certifications and test reports for
Lighting / Electrical items.
MATERIAL CERTIFICATIONS
Q1. How do I know what material certifications should be provided and by whom for different materials delivered to a project?
A1. See the different material certification types in
Section 106-3 of the Specifications and this
2012 Workshop presentation with examples of material types received on a project.
Q2. How old is too old for a material certification? Do they have an expiration date?
A2. This would depend on the material and if it's accepted on the basis of a lot, heat number or batch. Contact the
Area Materials Engineer in your division for assistance.
Q3. Can a Material Certification Type (ie Type 1) be used in lieu of another Material Certification Type? (ie Type 4)
A3. No. Even though they are similiar (as the note mentions in Type 4 here) they are not interchangeable.
Q4. Are Material Data Sheets, or similar, considered acceptable for certifications when materials are received?
A4. No. If the minimum sampling guide requires you to have a certification then one must be obtained. Also check the
Minimum Sampling Guide for any material (s) in question. (Select Material from Product Group Dropdown)
Q5. How do I check to see if a producer is approved to supply products / materials for NCDOT projects?
A5. NCDOT maintains a
Producer / Supplier database. Click on the "Facility Type" dropdown. For other questions, contact the
Materials and Tests Field Operations Engineer or an
Area Materials Engineer in your Division.
PAINTS / COATINGS
Q1. What is required for Paints and Coatings in relation to Bridges and Structures?
A1. There is an Approved List of
Paints and Coatings for Bridges and Structures. There is also a class conducted by the M&T Lab for "Bridge Coating Inspection - Level I". Contact the
Coatings and Corrosions Engineer for further questions.
Q2. What paint is approved for use on NCDOT projects?
Q3. Can I just use any paint that is on the Approved Paint Suppliers’ list?
A3. No. Any paint manufacturer may furnish paint for NCDOT work providing the paint is manufactured and inspected in accordance with
Section 1080 of the Standard Specifications. According
Section 442, each batch of paint to be used on the project must be tested prior to use. Only the Self Curing Inorganic Zinc Paint is pre-qualified, see
Section 1080-7.
Q4. How can a manufacturer get on the Approved Paint Suppliers’ list?
Q5. Does the Self Curing Inorganic Zinc Paint require re-qualification after it is pre-qualified?
A5. Yes. Each Self Curing Inorganic Zinc Paint product requires a re-qualification every 5 years.
QUICK LIME AND HYDRATED LIME
Q1. What are the safety precautions to take when sampling Quick Lime or Hydrated Lime?
A1. Due to the highly combustible nature of this material when it is mixed with water following the sampling procedure will help keep the sampler and the lab technicians safe. There have been occurrences in the past in which these lime samples got wet during transit to the laboratory which led to the sample bags melting, corrupting the sample, and endangering laboratory personnel.
1. Only sample 3 pounds of lime for each sample
2. Double bag the sample in clear plastic bags and secure with a tie wrap or place the sample in a 1 gallon or ½ gallon wide mouth plastic jug.
SIGNALS
Q1. What is required for traffic signals? Are they tested?
A1. The M&T Central Lab does assist the Traffic Services Group from time to time. The Lab has equipment for
testing LED traffic signals for Luminescence / Brightness. Contact the Structural Materials Lab Supervisor in the Structural Services Unit for this service or questions.
Further information for signals may be found in Section 1098 of the Standard Specifications under "Signals and Intelligent Transportation Systems". The Minimum Sampling Guide has information on signals and what material certifications are required.
Q1. What tests are performed on structural products?
A1. The Central Lab test structural steel and other structural items. See the
Approved Products List for "Structures". (Select from Product Group Drop Down Menu) The
Minimum Sampling Guide lists required sampling frequency and required certifications. (Ex.
Structural Steel)
TIMBER (LUMBER)
Q1. Is there a list of Approved Timber Inspection Companies?
A1. Yes. See this
2015 list of Approved Timber / Lumber Companies.
Q1. Where could I find approved work zone traffic control products? Are material certifications required?
A1. Approved
Work Zone Traffic control items may be found in the
Approved Products List (Product Group Drop Down Menu). Material Certifications are required per the
Minimum Sampling Guide (Ex.
Barricades).
UTILITIES
Q1. Where could I find information on various utility products that may be used on a project?
A1. A number of
Utilities are in the
Approved Products List (Product Group Drop Down Menu).
