PCI certification versus NPCA certification

[archeng59]

Does anyone have any knowledge about PCI certifcation versus National Precast Concrete Association certification? Are the two certifications similar? There are different levels of certification for PCI but I'm not finding much online info about NPCA that is allowing me to compare the two.

 

[Teguci]

Seems fairly similar to PCI but it's been years since I've run through a quality assurance review on a precast plant.

Here are the latest changes to NPCA certification.

https://precast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ADDENDUM_QCM-001_February_2019_Final.pdf

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

PCI is much more involved than NPCA certification. Back when I worked for a precaster the two plants I was involved in the one that did prestressing operations had PCI certification as it's practically required if you're doing prestressing jobs. The other plant did not do prestressing and found that getting PCI certification was not worth the hassle and just keeps their NPCA certification which is far easier to maintain. Both certifications will ensure some level of QA/QC is being performed at the plant but generally I'd say PCI is far more rigorous.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, FL, CO) Structural Engineer (IL, HI)

 

[archeng59]

Thanks for the replies. I have learned more since I originally posted. NPCA does not certify for prestressed concrete whereas PCI does.