CHAPTER  6 QUALITY  CONTROL LEARNING  OBJECTIVE:  To describe the purpose and identify the procedures and   methods   of   inspecting   construction   projects   and   materials   under   the Construction Quality Control Program. In the previous chapters, we covered ways in which to   plan,   organize,   read   plans   and   specifications, estimate, schedule, manage, and execute construction projects.  Now,  let’s  cover  how  construction  projects need  to  be  constructed  with  quality  in  mind. In the Seabee community, the word  quality ranks right along with safety. The customer would like to see a quality project done safely and in a timely manner. Doing  quality  work  for  the  customer  will  bring  job satisfaction  to  you  and  increase  the  chances  of  the customer coming back for possible future work. Having satisfied  customers  leads  to  getting  new  customers, which  means  job  security. For  NAVFAC  to  ensure  quality  workmanship,  it has  developed  the  following  quality  management programs of their own: Construction   Contract   Quality   Management Program,  NAVFAC  P-445 Facilities   Support   Contract   Quality Management Program,  MO-327 Construction Quality Control (CQC) Program, COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST  4355.1 (series) These three programs deal with quality; however, they  pertain  to  certain  aspects  of  quality. 1. The NAVFAC P-445 states how the contractor and the government will produce a quality project on time and in compliance with the terms of the contract. 2.   The   MO-327   provides   naval   shore   activity guidance  on  obtaining  quality  public  works  support services  through  quality  assurance. 3.    The    COMSECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST 4355.1  prescribes  the  policy,  the  objectives,  and  the procedures  to  ensure  that  the  required  quality  is achieved  on  construction  projects  assigned  to  NCF units. Before we cover quality control, let’s first define QUALITY  and  distinguish  the  differences  between quality  control  (QC)  and  quality  assurance  (QA).  At times, the construction industry tends to get these terms confused. QUALITY is an acquired skill to the degree of being  excellent.  The  Navy  recognizes  QUALITY  as individual   contribution   and   team   effort   in   an organization   working   together   to   improve   the process/system or product. TEAMWORK is essential. QUALITY ASSURANCE is concerned with the quality of the end product, not with the procedures used to get to that product. Surveillance and inspections are the methods used to review performance standards. The receiving  officer  in  charge  of  construction  (ROICC) usually   oversees   these   methods.   Surveillance   and inspections are covered thoroughly in the NCF/Seabee Petty Officer 1 & C, NAVEDTRA 12543. QUALITY   CONTROL   reviews   each   step   or procedure used in completing tasks on the way to the completed   product.   Quality   control   checks   are normally  performed  daily.  NMCBs,  CBUs,  and  other construction  units  run  the  quality  control  program. QUALITY CONTROL Quality   control   is   a   management   system   of published and enforced standards which ensures that a construction   project   is   completed   with   a   specified minimum  quality.  A  product  that  falls  below  minimum standards will not satisfy the customer or its intended purpose,  and  it  may  require  excessive  maintenance costs. A product that exceeds the standards generally consumes more resources than planned; however, it’s better  to  exceed  the  standards  than  to  not  meet  the standards. 6-1