(Herndon, VA) October 16, 2008 – The National Concrete Masonry Association’s (NCMA) Research and Development Laboratory announced today that it has received full accreditation by the independent International Accreditation Service (IAS). Accreditation provides evidence that the laboratory has been evaluated against rigorous internationally acceptable standards and has demonstrated the ability of the lab to provide highly reliable testing, calibration, and production services.
This accreditation allows test results from the NCMA Laboratory to be recognized by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES). This is an important service to developers of new and innovative concrete masonry systems, as ICC-ES approval is crucial to the introduction, approval and use of new building materials and systems.
IAS accreditation will help the NCMA laboratory meet the building industry’s demand for substantiation of the technical competence of concrete masonry products. IAS provides assurance, through accreditation, that testing laboratories have been evaluated against internationally accepted standards and is in accordance with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The accreditation covers nearly all of the tests that the NCMA Laboratory performs, from unit testing of concrete masonry units and related materials to assembly testing, including segmental retaining wall connection and shear strength tests to full-scale structural testing of concrete masonry wall panels.
About the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)
NCMA is the national trade association representing the concrete masonry and hardscapes industry. The Association is involved in a broad range of technical, education, certification, research, marketing, government relations, and communications activities. NCMA is an association of producers of concrete masonry products, and suppliers of products and services related to the industry. NCMA offers a variety of technical services and design aids through publications, computer programs, slide presentations and technical training. Please visit www.ncma.org for additional information.
About the NCMA Research and Development Laboratory
NCMA's Research and Development Laboratory is a world-class facility is dedicated to the scientific testing and research of concrete masonry and hardscape products and systems. The laboratory facilities feature a state-of-the-art concrete unit manufacturing line which is capable of simulating several different methodologies in use at modern production facilities. This manufacturing facility can be utilized for many applications that support and improve the industry. For more information, please visit www.ncma.org/lab.
MEDIA CONTACT:
James Gaidry, Vice President of Marketing
(877) 627-3976 Toll-free, (703) 713-1910 Fax, E-mail: jgaidry@ncma.org