The Importance of Building Components Testing
In any construction project there is an in-built requirement to carry out structural testing as part of that process. An element of this procedure involves looking at individual materials. HOKLAS building components testing is an accredited way to examine and assess whether such materials are, in fact, fit for purpose.
There are a number of crucial reasons why this type of analysis is so necessary. In essence, the quest is to attain a certain industry standard. On a basic level, there is a need to show that performance can be achieved adequately. It can also be the case that measurements are requested specifically by clients and this, in itself, can be for a number of reasons. One of these could be that a developer wants to obtain some type of certification for using a certain building material before construction gets underway. Developers often want to promote how they adopt green building principles, for example, way before a particular project gets underway.
What is vital to understand is that the building components used come together to determine structural integrity. Once in place, these materials can ensure that a building is not only structurally sound, but also that it is watertight. With this in mind, it would be foolhardy not to carry out extensive tests on materials before they are put in place on a permanent basis. As well as the time and effort to make changes retrospectively, there are financial considerations, too. Materials need to stand the test of time and while costs may not be immediate, not utilising quality components can create an expensive legacy at some point in the future.
In terms of testing, this can be carried out in-situ, at a construction site, or, depending on the type of analysis required, can be undertaken in a specially designed workshop and laboratory. With on-site testing there is a possibility to set up simulations to get an accurate idea about performance and suitability as well.
When it comes to the type of materials that can be examined, these vary from ceramic to granite and many other building components in between. Issues that may be addressed include the impact of environmental conditions ranging from extreme cold through to high temperatures, as well as the effect that water has. Other considerations can include many different types of strength testing, absorption rates and slip resistance, to name just a few.
