MPDA Quality Assurance program
In the province of British Columbia, the MPI Accredited Quality Assurance Association is the Master Painters & Decorators Association (MPDA). MPDA therefore administers the MPI Quality Assurance Program in British Columbia and the guarantee issued under that program is that of the Master Painters & Decorators Association.
The Quality Assurance Program seeks to use only qualified components:
· ·The specification is qualified, as it was prepared by CSC/CSI members, and reviewed by a MPI Technical Committee.
· The Painting Contractor is qualified either by MPDA, or by a surety bonding company.
· The tradesman and apprentices are to be qualified by appropriate jurisdiction Trade Proficiency Standards.
· The products are qualified by meeting or exceeding standards of the Master Painters Institute.
· The Inspection Agency (inspector) is qualified by approval of both MPDA and the Specifying Authority/Consultant.
Specifying Authority Benefits By:
· Saving inspection time
· Getting unbiased reports
· Getting assurance of receiving quality material and workmanship
· Getting guaranteed professional performance
Owners Benefit By:
· Receiving bids based on a common denominator, bidding on the basis of using the same proven material and proven paint systems
· Obtaining the best value for their dollar
· Getting a guaranteed job (see detailed information regarding Guarantee)
PAINTING INSPECTION STANDARDS
QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for the local MPI Accredited Quality Assurance Association (hereafter referred to as the MPDA) Guarantee, the specification must correspond to the MPI Master Painters Institute Quality Standards as contained in this MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual, or such others as may be approved and published by the Master Painters Institute from time to time.
Only member firms of the Master Painters & Decorators Associationqualify for the MPDA Association Guarantee (as it is that Association’s assets that back their guarantee). Firms not members of MPDA must supply the alternative, a two (2) year 100% Maintenance Bond, in place of the MPDA Guarantee.
In either case, the work shall be Inspected. The inspections shall be carried out in conformance with the MPIQuality Assurance Program as contained in this MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual, and the specification. Where a discrepancy between the Manual and the specification occurs, the specification shall prevail. The work, however, shall still be inspected, although it shall be excluded from the MPDA Guarantee. The inspection shall be by a qualified Inspection Agency (inspector) assigned by MPDA. Only Inspectors who have been approved by MPDA shall be assigned (MPDA Specifications Services Inc. Inspectors).
NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION ASSIGNMENT
On receipt of a contract, or advice of same, the Painting Contractor shall complete a “Request for Assignment of an Inspector” form (obtainable from MPDA), and forward the completed and signed request form to MPDA Specification Services Inc. In any event, this shall precede commencement of the work by a minimum of four (4) full working days. The form shall contain the following information pertinent to the project:
Name of the Painting Contractor, address, phone and fax numbers
Name, description, location of the project and projected start date
Name, address, phone and fax numbers of the Specifying Authority (e.g. Architect or Engineer)
Name, address, phone and fax numbers of the Owner/Owner’s Representative
Name, address, and phone number of the Bonding Company (where the MPDA Guarantee option not to be used)
Contract price
Special comments
Upon receipt of the completed Request for Assignment of Inspectorform, the MPDA Specifications Services Inc. (MPDA SSI) shall assign an Inspector, record the details on the form, and return a copy to the assigned Inspection Agency (inspector) as confirmation, as well as a copy to the Painting Contractor. The Specifying Authority shall also be advised, as shall the named surety bonding company if MPDA’s Guarantee option is not be used.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
1. On receipt of a contract, or advice of same, the Painting Contractor shall complete a “Request for Assignment of an Inspector” form (obtainable from the MPDA SSI), and forward the completed and signed request form to the MPDA SSI. In any event, this shall precede commencement of the work by a minimum of four (4) full working days.
2. Upon receipt of the completed Request for Assignment of Inspectorform, MPDA SSI shall assign an Inspection Agency (inspector), record the details on the form, and return a copy to the assigned Inspection Agency (inspector) as confirmation, and a copy to the Painting Contractor. The Specifier shall also be advised, as shall the named surety bonding company if the MPDA’s Guarantee option is not be used.
3. The Painting Contractor maintains contact with the owner or general contractor and shall keep the assigned Inspection Agency and MPDA advised of the expected starting date of specified work.
4. Upon being assigned, the Inspection Agency shall contact the Painting Contractor to ascertain the projected starting date, to obtain project specifications, etc., and to discuss any concerns that the Painting Contractor may have regarding job specifications or job conditions that may not allow the job completion to the MPI standard.
5. If necessary, the Inspection Agency shall involve MPDA and/or the Specifying Authority to review the specifications to resolve discrepancies, if any, and the concerns expressed by the Painting Contractor.
6. Prior to commencement of the specified work, the Painting Contractor shall supply the Inspector with a schedule of materials intended for use on the job. Changes approved by the Specifying Authority, if any, shall be provided to the Inspector as approval is secured.
7. No substitution of products shall be acceptable without written approval from the Specifying Authority. Such written approval shall be provided to the Inspection Agency and to MPDA SSI. Such substitution(s) shall be noted on a report, and while the application of the substituted product will be inspected, that portion of the project will not be eligible for the MPDA Guarantee..
8. The Painting Contractor shall notify the Inspection Agency FOUR FULL WORKING DAYS prior to the start of the painting work, at which time specifications, material and color schedules will be reviewed as necessary. Where possible, the Inspector shall inspect the job on the first day of the commencement of painting.. .
9. During the painting application, the frequency of inspection shall be sufficient to ensure adequate Quality Control in accordance with this Manual. In rural or remote areas, inspections shall be carried out at intervals throughout the job as arranged with the MPDA.
10. The Inspector shall report using Interim Inspection Reports, which shall be signed by the Inspector and submitted to MPDA SSI, who shall provide a copy to the Painting Contractor and to each project participant listed on the “Request for Assignment of Inspector” form. .
11. On completion of the job, a Final Inspection Report shall be signed by the Inspector and submitted to the MPDA SSI, who shall provide a copy to the Painting Contractor and to each project participant listed on the “Request for Assignment of Inspector” form. The report will advise of any variation from the specifications, deficiencies if any, and whether the job is completed to the MPI Accredited Quality Assurance Association’s standards.
12. The Inspector shall note any damage to the painted surface by other trades (D.B.O.) in the interim and/or final inspection report. The Inspector shall check for proper preparation of surfaces and specified number and type of coats, shall observe the progress of the job and that the painting industry's 'generally accepted' painting practices are being carried out on the job. He shall also confirm in his inspection reports that the correct products are being used. and
13. The Inspector shall inspect to confirm that the job is being done in conformity with the MPIArchitectural Painting Specification Manual and the specifications, not only for the purpose of issuing an MPDA Guarantee.
14. The Inspector will be responsible to confirm that all painting, and/or wall covering, and/or abrasive blasting standards established and published by the Master Painters Institute are being followed in accordance with the MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual, latest edition, and to report any breaches or deficiencies in writing to the MPDA SSI and to the Painting Contractor.
15. A final job site visit will be required at the completion of the work, but preferably while the Painting Contractor still has a work force on the job site. At this time the Inspector will issue a Final Report. This report shall state that the painting work has been carried out in accordance with the intent of the specifications, drawings, addenda, etc., or contrary if applicable, noting any deficiencies or discrepancies on the report. The Inspector shall advise the Painting Contractor’s foreman/charge hand (preferably while still on the jobsite) of deficiencies, if any. Deficiencies must be corrected before the MPDA’s Guarantee will be issued, or the surety bonding company notified of the project’s completion.
16. The Inspection Agency shall be prepared to respond to the first request for a “Final” inspection, then, if necessary, to respond to a second request for a second “Final” inspections, however, further requests and inspections will prompt additional inspection charges.
INSPECTION AGENCY (INSPECTOR) RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following:
Obtain a copy of the project painting specification, drawings, color / finish schedules pertaining to the painting contract.
If made available prior to commencement of work, review the specifications and contact the Specifying Authority, and MPDA to clarify any anomalies or irregularities, if any, in the specifications particularly as they may effect the MPDA Guarantee or the standard of the project.
The Inspector shall inspect the surfaces prepared for painting and/or wall covering before, or at, the commencement of work by the painting contractor, inspecting for surface preparation and readiness for painting and/or wall covering, including (as required) moisture and temperature inspection in accordance with requirements of the MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual, and submit a written report to the MPDA. Any deficiencies in the substrate, which may adversely affect the finish, shall be noted on the inspection report.
The Inspector shall inspect surfaces to be abrasive blasted before work is to start, and report surface irregularities noticed, if any. These may prevent the achieving of the desired finish.
SUBSTRATE TESTING (IF REQUIRED)
Temperatures and moisture content of the surfaces shall conform to the following:
Humidity Test - No painting shall be performed if relative humidity is greater than 85%.
Moisture of Surfaces - Tests shall be by "moisture meter" specified.
Plaster and Wallboard - Maximum moisture content is 12% (painted surfaces).
Masonry Concrete/Concrete Block - Tests shall be by "moisture meter" specified.
Masonry surfaces - May be tested for alkalinity.
NOTE: Masonry and Concrete Blocks shall be installed at least 28 days prior to painting, and must be visually dry on both sides before painting commences. (This is not to be construed as including a "wetting down" process for latex).
Wood - Maximum moisture content 15%.
Concrete Floors - Shall be tested for moisture by a simple "cover patch test".
Temperatures - No painting shall be performed when temperatures on the surfaces, or the air in the vicinity of the painting work, is below 45° F (5°C). The MINIMUM temperatures allowed for Latex paints shall be 45° F (7° C) for interior work, and 50° F (10° C) for exterior work, UNLESS specifically otherwise approved by the specifying body.
PRODUCTS
Only products from the “approved products” list shall be used unless Specifying Authority has approved a substitution (see 3.0.7).
Should it be deemed necessary, the Inspector shall take samples of paint from original paint cans before being opened by the painter, and samples from the paint being used by the painters on the job. A laboratory test shall then be performed comparing the two samples for any possible tampering or excessive dilution. Frequency of such testing shall be sufficient to maintain Quality Control on products being used. If the test results suggest possible tampering or excessive dilution or a discrepancy with the approved product, such shall be noted on an Inspection Report.
INSPECTION TECHNICAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The Inspector shall discuss with the Painting Contractor’s foreman/charge hand any serious discrepancies, which may be found in regard to the specifications, improper application methods, and/or noncompliance with good painting trade practices. If the Painting Contractor’s job site foreman/charge hand does not agree with the Inspector’s assessment, the Inspector shall contact management of the concerned Painting Contractor. Should the Inspector fail to obtain the Painting Contractor’s cooperation on the issue, a report shall be filed with MPDA SSI for transmittal to all project participants.
Should the Painting Contractor disagree with the Inspector’s assessment, a written objection should be filed with the MPDA. Immediately upon receipt of this objection, a subcommittee of the Technical Committee will visit the job site in question and file a written report to the MPDA, within three days (maximum) of the job site visit.
