Common Quality Procedures

In industrial construction, quality procedures aligned with ISO 9001 or similar quality management systems (QMS) are critical to ensure safety, compliance, and project success. Within your company quality program you need to create a standardized set of procedures that meet general industry practices that can be deployed across the company as the minimum standards.

Each owner and contract may require quality procedures that are tailored to address the unique requirements of the scope of work in that construction project. If this applies an addendum can often satisfy the owner reviewers comments. In some cases your quality procedure system should make some allowance for tailoring to the different owners and industries that your company does work with.

• Industry Standards: These quality procedures often integrate with or include requirements from codes like ASME, API, ACI, or local regulations (e.g., OSHA in the U.S.).

• Documentation: Each procedure typically includes an appendix or reference to inspection forms or checklists, that provide evidence of compliance.

• Adaptation: The exact list and details vary by project (e.g., oil refineries vs. power plants) and owner contract requirements.

List of Typical Quality Procedures in Industrial Construction

 1. Document Control Procedure

• Purpose: Ensure all project documents (e.g., drawings, specifications, permits) are current, approved, and accessible. 

• Key Elements: Document numbering, version control, storage, and distribution processes.

 2. Quality Planning Procedure 

• Purpose: Define quality objectives, resources, and inspection plans for the project. 

• Key Elements: Development of a Quality Control Plan (QCP) or Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) specific to the project scope.

 3. Supplier and Subcontractor Evaluation and Control  Procedure

• Purpose: Assess and monitor suppliers and subcontractors to ensure materials and services meet quality standards. 

• Key Elements: Pre-qualification criteria, performance audits, and approval processes.

 4. Material Receiving and Management Procedure

• Purpose: Verify that incoming materials (e.g., steel, concrete, piping) meet specifications before use. 

• Key Elements: Checking against purchase orders, material certificates, and visual/physical inspections.

 5. Nonconformance Procedure (NCR)

• Purpose: Identify, segregate, and address materials or work that fail to meet standards. 

• Key Elements: Nonconformance reports (NCRs), quarantine areas, and disposition actions (rework, reject, or accept with concession).

 6. Welding and Fabrication Quality Control 

• Purpose: Ensure welds and fabricated components meet design and code requirements (e.g., ASME, AWS). 

• Key Elements: Pressure Testing, Welder qualifications, weld procedure specifications (WPS), and nondestructive testing (NDT) like X-rays or ultrasonics.

 7. Concrete and Grout Quality Control

• Purpose: Guarantee concrete meets strength, durability, and placement standards. 

• Key Elements: Mix design approval, slump tests, cylinder sampling, and curing monitoring.

 8. Discipline Specific Procedure (piping, vessel, structural, electrical, etc.)

• Purpose: Ensure craft installs or performs work per drawings, procedures, specifications, etc... 

• Key Elements: General instructions, checks, inspections, and as-built documentation.

 9. Calibration of Measuring and Test Equipment Procedure

• Purpose: Ensure tools (e.g., pressure gauges, laser levels) provide accurate measurements. 

• Key Elements: Calibration schedules, traceability to standards, and records of calibration status.

 10. Internal Audit Procedure 

• Purpose: Regularly evaluate the QMS for compliance and effectiveness. 

• Key Elements: Audit planning, checklists, reporting, and follow-up on findings.

 11. Management Review Procedure 

• Purpose: Enable leadership to assess quality performance and drive improvement. 

• Key Elements: Review of quality metrics, audit results, and customer feedback.

 12. Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) Procedure

• Purpose: Address quality issues and prevent recurrence. 

• Key Elements: Root cause analysis, action plans, and verification of effectiveness.

 13. Training, Implementation and Competence Procedure

• Purpose: Ensure workers are qualified for their tasks (e.g., crane operators, welders). 

• Key Elements: Training records, certification tracking, and competency assessments.

 14. Change Management Procedure 

• Purpose: Control modifications to design, scope, or processes without compromising quality. 

• Key Elements: Change request forms, impact assessments, and approval workflows.

 15. Turnover or Handover and Commissioning Procedure

• Purpose: Verify the completed facility meets all requirements before handover to the client. 

• Key Elements: Punch lists, system testing (e.g., pressure tests, electrical checks), and final documentation packages.

 16. Risk Management Procedure 

•  Purpose: Identify and mitigate quality-related risks (e.g., delays, defective materials). 

•  Key Elements: Risk registers, mitigation plans, and regular reviews.

 17. Customer Complaint and Feedback Procedure

•  Purpose: Address client concerns and improve based on feedback. 

•  Key Elements: Complaint logging, investigation, and resolution processes.