The Table of Contents for this section is available.
The work covered by this section consists of furnishing and maintaining one or more field laboratories, with all sampling and testing equipment and supplies, for the exclusive use of the Engineer and qualified Contractor personnel at all asphalt plants producing asphalt plant mix for use on the project.
The Contractor shall furnish and maintain for the exclusive use of the Engineer and qualified Contractor personnel a fully equipped field laboratory for performing the quality control and acceptance inspection, sampling, and testing at the asphalt plant. The laboratory shall be located in a position within close proximity of the asphalt plant which will permit a view of the plant from the laboratory. At or near the laboratory, the Contractor shall make available for use of Department personnel a readily accessible telephone and toilet facilities. The toilet shall be maintained in a neat and clean condition by the Contractor. The Contractor shall also provide access to the top of truck bodies by a substantial platform which is located at an appropriate height for obtaining samples and inspecting mixtures in truck beds.
The laboratory building shall have a minimum floor space of 150 square feet exclusive of toilet facilities, minimum width of 10 feet, and minimum interior height of 7 feet, unless otherwise permitted by the Engineer. It shall be dust and water tight, floored, and have an adequate foundation so as to prevent excessive floor movement. It shall contain at least six 110 volt electrical double outlets properly located and grounded; at least 2 windows; adequate lighting, heating, and air-conditioning; sink with running water; a refrigerator; a convection laboratory oven of adequate size with temperature controls; a minimum of 20 square feet of counter work space 30-36 inches high and 2 feet deep with cabinets or drawers below the counter top; 6 square feet of desk space with drawers; 2 chairs; a fire extinguisher of standard commercial quality; enclosures as described below for testing equipment; and a satisfactory ventilation system with exhaust fan for the general work area.
The laboratory shall have one or more enclosures for mounting the sieve shaker, centrifuge, and hot plate without crowding and shall be sufficiently stable to firmly support the equipment without excessive vibration when the equipment is in operation. The enclosure shall be equipped with doors capable of enclosing the testing processes with louvered openings at the top quarter to provide for the necessary air exchange. An exhaust fan capable of exchanging air at the rate of 100 cu. ft./minute over the entire open door area of the enclosure for the centrifuge and hot plate shall be located in the rear or side of the enclosure at or below working surface level and shall be vented outside the laboratory.
Replacement air shall be provided through an open window or other opening as necessary to achieve the specified exchange rate of air. The design of the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems shall be such that exhausted solvent vapors will not reenter the laboratory through either the heating or cooling system. Electrical outlets shall be placed within each enclosure with control switches mounted outside of the enclosure cabinet. In lieu of providing enclosures inside the laboratory for the sieve shaker and centrifuge, an outside enclosed weatherproof enclosure may be provided for this equipment. The enclosure shall be adjacent to the laboratory; of sufficient size to contain the equipment without crowding; ventilated as specified above; equipped with 2 or more 110 volt outlets with outside control switches; faced with full length and width doors; and so arranged that the equipment will be at a convenient working height.
The laboratory, including the ventilation systems, noise suppression devices, electrical systems, testing equipment, and toilet facilities shall be of such design and construction, and shall be maintained in such condition, as to meet all applicable safety, sanitation, and building regulations and codes.
The Contractor shall furnish and maintain the laboratory in good condition, including all required testing equipment and supplies. A list of the required testing equipment and supplies may be obtained from the Department's Materials and Tests Unit in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Department will furnish and dispose of extracting solvents used by Department personnel. In the event the testing equipment is damaged due to negligence on the part of the Department, the Contractor may be compensated in accordance with the provisions of Article 1047.
The laboratory, including all testing equipment and supplies, shall have been certified by the Department prior to beginning production of asphalt mixtures. Certification shall be renewed every 3 years or at such shorter period considered necessary by the Engineer.
Failure to maintain the laboratory in accordance with these specifications may be sufficient cause for rescinding certification of the laboratory and suspending asphalt mixture production. Upon a malfunction of the required testing equipment, the plant may be allowed to continue operation subject to approval by the Engineer.
Payment at the contract lump sum price for "Field Laboratory Rental, Asphalt Plant Mix" will be made for furnishing all field laboratories and all required sampling and testing equipment and supplies which have been made available for use by the Engineer at any asphalt plant producing asphalt plant mix for use on the project. Partial payments for field laboratory rental will be made with the first and last partial pay estimates which include asphalt plant mix pay items, and will be made at the rate of 50 percent of the lump sum price for "Field Laboratory Rental, Asphalt Plant Mix" on each of these partial pay estimates.
Such price and payment will be full compensation for all work of furnishing and maintaining all field laboratories and all required testing equipment and supplies required by this section, including but not limited to providing and maintaining the laboratory building; furnishing and maintaining all required testing equipment and supplies; and furnishing water, heat, cooling, electricity, and other utility services.
Payment will be made under:
Field Laboratory Rental, Asphalt Plant Mix Lump Sum