Quality & Rail Flashcards
How do employers assess the competency of suppliers?
- Approved supplier registers.
- Pre-tender questionnaires and shortlisting.
- Competitive tendering with interviews.
What is the key document for quality management in construction?
An inspection and test plan, which is generally supported by check sheets. Preparing it is the ‘Plan’ stage of the Deming Cycle. Completing it is the ‘Do’. The process then should be checked to ensure it worked well and improved if not (‘Check’ and ‘Act’ stages).
What is the Deming Cycle?
Plan, Do, Check, Act. It is a quality improvement model consisting of four repetitive steps for continuous improvement and learning
What is Quality Control? What is Quality Assurance?
Quality Assurance (QA) is the assurance of end result (process orientated), focused on defect prevention. The principles are:
- Define Requirements
- Plan the tasks
- Execute the work
- Monitor performance
- Improve through feedback
Quality Control (QC) is the means by which QA is achieved (product orientated). It is a way of ensuring defects are identified, and the goal is to highlight defects on products before they are released. The principles are:
- Assign key duties
- Set up QC plan/procedures for reviews and checks
- Ensure tasks (on site) are carried out in accordance with procedures
- Inspect/test/monitor output or results
- Report findings/implement changes as needed
What tests are carried out when concrete arrives on site? What are the processes?
A flow test is conducted for pumped concrete. The process is as follows:
1. The flow table is wetted. The mould is placed on the flow table and filled with fresh concrete in two equal layers. Each layer is tamped 10 times. 2. After 30 seconds, the mould is lifted. 3. The flow table is then lifted up 40mm and dropped 15 times, causing the concrete to spread outwards. 4. The diameter of flow of the concrete is then measured.
A slump test is used for all other concrete delivery methods. The process is as follows:
1. The mould for the slump test is placed on the base on a smooth surface. 2. The mould is filled with concrete in three layers. Each layer is tamped 25 times. 3. Immediately afterwards, the cone is slowly and carefully lifted vertically. The now unsupported concrete will slump. 4. The slump (decrease in the height of the centre of the slumped concrete) is measured.
Concrete cubes are then taken, to measure strengths at various intervals. Standard concrete has the following strength (as a percentage of the max) at various intervals: 1 day (16%), 3 days (40%), 7 days (65%), 14 days (90%), 28 days (99%). The process is as follows:
- A 100mm cube or 150mm cube mould should be cleaned and slightly oiled.
- The mould should be filled in 50 mm layers and tamped with a minimum of 25 or 35 tamps per layer for a 100m or 150 mm mould respectively. After tamping each layer, the mould should be lifted slightly and dropped or the sides tapped, to close the top surface of each layer. The final layer should slightly overfill the mould and be trowelled off after tamping, level with the top of the mould.
What do the ISO 9000 series cover?
They erlate to quality management. ISO 9000 sets out the eight Quality Management Principles:
• Customer Focus.
• Leadership.
• Involvement of People.
• Process Approach.
• System Approach to Management.
• Continual Improvement.
• Factual Approach to Decision Making.
• Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationships.
ISO 9001 is a standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). The sections within it are:
• General Requirements
• Management Responsibility
• Resource Management
• Product Realization
• Measurement
• Analysis and Improvement
What is the difference between approving and accepting assurance documentation under ROGS?
- Acceptance means the contractor is self assuring and London Underground accepts the document produced under this assurance process. this is generally a light touch review.
- Approving means taking more ownership of the design and thoroughly checking it to ensure it complies with LU requirements.
What is a Technical Specification of Interoperability?
A Technical Specification of Interoperability (TSI) are drafted by the European Railway Agency and adopted in a decision by the European Commission. They aim to ensure interoperability of the trans-European rail system. This applies to the mainline railway (e.g. Crossrail and Network Rail) but not metro systems (e.g. London Underground).
What is Engineering Safety Management (ESM)?
Engineering Safety Management (ESM) is the controlled management of changes that may affect railway safety. This involves considering the safety of the railway throughout the life of the change and should mostly done before the change is made (i.e. proactive). Note: ESM is similar to the Common Safety Method (CSM), although ESM applies to all railed transport systems (CSM just applies to Mainline Railways as per the EU regulation that implemented it). It was previously referred to as the ‘Yellow Book’, but has been replaced by international ESM (iESM) handbook, which is published by the RSSB.
What are the Rail and Other Guided Transport System Regulations (ROGS)?
ROGS (latest revision is 2013) were introduced to ensure railways are safely constructed, operated and maintained. They cover the mainline railway, metros (including London Underground), tramways, light rail and heritage railways. There three key duties holders:
1. Infrastructure Managers (IM) – anyone responsible for developing and maintaining infrastructure, or for managing and operating a station. 2. Transport Undertakings (TU) – anyone that operates a vehicle in relation to any infrastructure. 3. Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) – anyone that is responsible for the safe maintenance of a vehicle and registered on the national vehicle register. 4. Transport Operators (TO). Any IM or TU is also classed as a TO.
ROGs require all duty holders to have and maintain a written Safety Management System (SMS) that has been endorsed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). The resultant Safety Certificate (for TUs) and Safety Authorisation (for IMs) can be audited and revoked at any time. Companies must also have appropriate risk assessments and safety verification processes (e.g. S1538 for London Underground), as well as processes for managing safety critical work. They must also cooperate with everyone required to run a safe railway.
For mainline railways, each operational vehicle must have an ECM assigned to it and companies also must produce annual safety reports.
What is the Railways and Transport Safety Act?
The Act (passed in 2003):
• created the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
• replaced the Rail Regulator by a Regulatory Board, the Office of Rail Regulation. This is now the Office of Road and Rail (ORR).
• created the British Transport Police (BTP) and gave them statutory authority over the railway.
What is a Safety Management System (in the context of ROGS)?
A Safety Management System (SMS) is the total approach to the management of accidental death or injury to workers and the general public and/or damage to the environment due to activities (i.e. risk), incorporating the as low as reasonable practicable (ALARP) risk principles.
How does London Underground assess the competency of its employees?
- Accreditation scheme for Project Engineers and Discipline Engineers
- Safety critical licensing
- Safety cards are required for certain work (Individual Working Alone, Basic Track Awareness, Equipment Room Awareness etc.).
- Always interview for positions.
What is the London Underground Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation?
The London Underground Safety Certificate (relates to train operations) and Safety Authorisation (relates to stations and infrastructure) was first produced in in 2007 to meet the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS). It was accepted by the ORR and approval has been maintained ever since (revisions are required at least every 5 years). It replaced the Safety Case, which was required under previous iterations of ROGS.
They document specifies how LU maintains a safe operational railway. For design and construction, LU Standard S1538 is the key overarching process that helps meet the requirements of ROGS. The Safety Certificate and Safety Authorisation has many more elements though including: accreditation; audit; control of novel risks; management of safety critical work; and emergency planning.
What is the Railways Act?
The Act (introduced in 2005):
• requires the Secretary of State for Transport to specify what they want in return for the public subsidy which goes into the railway industry.
• established Passenger Focus as a single national consumer representation body.
• set up a new regime for the closure of railway facilities and services.
