indicator of a country’s economic growth, as it is the key input material in infrastructure development. Much like the rest of the modern world, the foundation of SA is built on this premise.
THE REAL THREAT OF USING SUB-STANDARD CEMENT
Yet according to Njombo Lekula, MD
lives at risk. Usage of sub-standard ce-
ing to increased repair or maintenance
of PPC RSA, sub-standard cement prod-
ment has various implications that may
costs, injuries and fatalities due to
ucts are threatening the built environ-
negatively affect the sustainability of
structural failures or collapse.
ment industry and placing South African
buildings and structures, thereby lead-
During a normal market surveillance exercise whereby competitors’ products were all tested for comparison, PPC found that some products supplied by cement producers were sub-standard and warranted further investigation. Digging deeper In an effort to protect the greater South African cement industry and consumers, PPC appointed Beton-Lab, a South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)-accredited independent laboratory, in September 2017 to physically purchase the bags itself in order to maintain the chain of custody and ensure no interference from any outside party. Part of the process was to take photographs of each bag (front, side, back panels and bag weights) to verify Letter of Authority numbers, cement type and strength class. The weights of the bags were checked and the EN strength testing in accordance with SANS 50197 for two, seven and 28 days was performed. The SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) prescribed uncertainty of measurement allowance of 2,5% was applied when analysing the resultant data. The
“PPC found that some products supplied by cement producers were sub-standard.”
results showed an inability to produce a consistent quality product and thwarting of standards. “As an independent laboratory, our work is tightly controlled, ensuring accurate data which is in no way influenced by outside parties,” says Alan de Kock, MD of Beton-Lab. Interesting findings The report was recently released and the findings were shared with the SABS and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), showing continued non-performance of the cements tested. According to Lekula, non-conformity of strength and weights of some products ranged from 11-73% of the sample set. “T his failure to conform to local standards not only has an impact on the
(Above): A PPC infogram.
PRECAST | ISSUE ONE | 2020
structural integrity of buildings, but also
INDUSTRY NEWS
The cement industry is seen as a good
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