CANADIAN PRECAST/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE INSTITUTE
100-196 Bronson Ave, Ottawa
Ontario, Canada K1H 6H4
Tel: (613) 232-2619 · Fax: (613) 232-5139
1-877-YES-CPCI (1-877-937-2724)
© CPCI - 2012
Program Description
Program Requirements
Eligibility
Audits
Governing Body
Application
Program Description
The CPCI certification program is designed to qualify manufacturers who fabricate architectural and structural precast concrete. Manufacturers must meet the requirements of CSA Standard A23.4-05, including Annexes A and B, together with PCI MNL-116 and 117 and CPCI certification requirements.
Manufacturers are evaluated on their quality system, documentation, production and erection procedures, management, engineering, personnel, equipment, finished products and assemblies. Independent professional engineers conduct audits twice annually. Each audit is either one or two days in duration depending on the size of the plant.
Certification confirms a manufacturer's capability to produce quality products and systems.
The CPCI Certification Program assures project specifiers and owners of a Manufacturer’s comprehensive in-house quality assurance program and acceptable production methods.
Purpose
The purpose of the audit program is to provide owners and designers with manufacturers who are:
  • Qualified to manufacture the products they supply to the marketplace
  • Competent to provide quality precast with adequate personnel and facilities
  • Committed to improving the quality of their products and systems
Quality Audits are the heart of the precast certification program
  • Audits ensure manufacturers have a quality system in place that is consistently adhered to
  • Audits ensure adherence to national standards
  • Audits ensure adherence to requirements of the precast certification program
  • Audits evaluate and identify areas requiring upgrading or corrective action (continual improvement)
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Program Requirements
The manufacturing of precast concrete must be in accordance with the requirements of the latest editions of CSA Standard A23.4 and the PCI Quality Control Manuals MNL-116 and 117 (US equivalent), with the more stringent requirements being the governing criteria.
CSA Standard
  • A23.4–05 - Precast concrete — Materials and construction
Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Documents
  • CPCI Quality Audit Manual
  • CPCI Design Manual, 4th Edition
  • Architectural Precast Concrete - Colour and Texture Selection Guide
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (US)
  • Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Production of Precast and Prestressed Concrete Products – MNL-116
  • Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Production of Architectural Precast Concrete Products – MNL-117
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Documents
  • PCI Design Handbook, 6th Edition
  • PCI Architectural Precast Concrete Manual, 3rd Edition
Manufacturers are required to:
  • Establish and maintain the highest standard of integrity, skill and practice in the design and fabrication of their products and systems.
  • Undertake the performance of only those services and produce only those products for which they are qualified.
  • Not knowingly associate with, or permit the use of their name or the Accredited Certification Organization’s name in any business venture by any person or firm that they know, or have reason to believe is engaged in questionable or unprofessional practices,
  • Be in compliance with current governing codes and regulations, and
  • Supply products only from a Manufacturer that is certified under the CPCI Certification Program.
Quality System Manual
Manufacturers are required to develop, maintain and submit a plant-specific Quality System Manual for approval, by the Accredited Certification Organization.
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Eligibility
Any qualified manufacturer located in Canada or the United States who produces precast concrete structural and architectural precast concrete products and complies with the requirements of the CPCI Certification Program is eligible for participation.
The Manufacturer must establish, document and apply an internal Quality System in conformance with CPCI Certification Program standards.
The Manufacturer must employ or engage the services of a registered professional engineer to be responsible for technical adherence to product design, transportation and erection. This engineer must approve or reject variances that occur during manufacturing, transportation and erection.
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Audits
Quality Audits are the heart of the precast certification program. Audits ensure manufacturers have a quality system in place that is consistently adhered to. Audits ensure conformance to national standards and that the requirements of the precast certification program are achieved. Audits evaluate and identify areas requiring upgrading or corrective action (continual improvement).
Number of Audits
There are a minimum of two regular audits in each full calendar year for a Manufacturer with ongoing participation. Audits are for one or two days depending on the size of the plant being audited.
Purpose of Audits
  1. Determine the conformity or nonconformity of the manufacturer’s quality system and finished products with the specified requirements,
  2. Determine the effectiveness of the implemented quality system in meeting specified quality objectives,
  3. Provide the Manufacturer with an opportunity to improve their quality system,
  4. Confirm that the Manufacturer meets the regulatory requirements.
Grading Requirements
The Accredited Certification Organization, using a detailed audit, determines a grade for each Division of the CPCI Audit Manual, a grade for each Product Group and the Overall Plant Quality.
A passing grade for Certification in each Product Group is a minimum total grade of 80 and a minimum grade of 70 for any one Division.
Accredited Certification Organization
Adherence to the CPCI Certification Program is monitored by the Accredited Certification Organization that is responsible to conduct quality audits in a fair and objective manner with equal treatment of all Manufacturers.
Auditors are professional engineers, knowledgeable and trained in the evaluation of precast concrete manufacturing plants and procedures.
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Governing Body
Quality Assurance Council
The Quality Assurance Council is a multidisciplinary body that oversees the CPCI Certification Program.
The Quality Assurance Council plans, formulates, oversees and reviews the CPCI Precast Concrete Certification Program by:
  • Establishing auditing criteria and grading standards,
  • Providing administrative review to ensure that policies and procedures are administered uniformly and are followed by all Manufacturers,
  • Developing, reviewing and approving all information related to the CPCI Certification Program,
  • Initiating and overseeing Accredited Certification Organization policies and manuals.
  • The Accredited Certification Organization is responsible to the Quality Assurance Council.
Quality Assurance Council Members:
  • Chair of the Quality Assurance Council
  • Director of the Accredited Certification Organization (non-voting)
  • CPCI Administrator (non-voting)
  • A minimum of one, but not more than two, professional engineers or registered architects not in the employ of a precast manufacturer
  • A minimum of one, but not more than two, building officials
  • A minimum of four, but not more than six, manufacturer’s representatives whose companies are registered in the CPCI Certification Program.
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Application
To request an application for CPCI Certification, please email us at info@cpci.ca
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