Ready-mixed concrete - at the core of Britain's most vital construction projects

Ready-mixed concrete is delivered in modern trucks with rotating barrels which keep the concrete mixed by agitation. The concrete is 'mixed' at the ready-mix plant. The trucks are often described as cement mixers or cement trucks, which is actually incorrect!

The British Ready-mixed Concrete Association

The British Ready-mixed Concrete Association (BRMCA), which recently launched its new branding, represents the interests of ready-mixed concrete producers within QPA. Its' remit covers generic technical, environmental and health and safety issues plus promotion of building systems using ready-mixed concrete.

More background information can also be found on the following websites:

• The British Ready-mixed Concrete Association - www.brmca.org.uk
• The Concrete Centre - www.concretecentre.com
• The Concrete Society - www.concrete.org.uk
• The European Ready-mixed concrete Organisation - www.ermco.org

What is BRMCA?

BRMCA is an Association of Member Companies dedicated to working together to better serve the industry needs and aspirations.

It is managed by an Elected Chairman and full time Product Director, with representation from each Member Company.

Aims and Objectives

BRMCA represents the interests of ready-mixed concrete producers across the UK and is part of the Quarry Products Association (QPA).

The association leads the way in the strategic development of the concrete industry in terms of innovation, product development and client/contractor liaison.

BRMCA's remit covers generic issues such as Sustainability Impact and Reduction of CO2 Emissions, Product Development, Technical, Environmental, Health and Safety, Industry Legislation and Government Policy/Liaison, plus promotion of building systems using ready-mixed concrete.

How Does BRMCA Work? How is it Structured?

Dedicated Task Groups made up of members and selected specialists study specific issues and provide industry-wide solutions and views.

Seminars and workshops are organised to disseminate information gained or to encourage discussion on relevant issues.

Publications are produced, especially best practice guides for practical, hands-on guidance for site practitioners and designers.

Quality Assurance

The Technical expertise of BRMCA Members is second to none, and this is independently verified by a recognised Third Party Certification Body, Accredited by UKAS:

Either:

• QSRMC (The Quality Scheme for Ready Mix Concrete) - www.qsrmc.co.uk
  
• BSI (British Standards Institution) - www.bsi-global.com
  
  

The schemes operate independently and provide BS EN ISO 9000:2000 and product conformity certification for the design, production and supply of ready mixed concrete to BS EN 206-1 and BS 8500.

QSRMC and BSI set the highest certification standards for ready mixed concrete and ALL BRMCA MEMBERS must be accredited against these requirements.

QSRMC is the specific Industry scheme, concentrating solely on the production and control of Ready Mixed Concrete, with BSI offering a range of services for the industry.

Companies awarded QSRMC or BSI certification are licensed to use the Certification Mark on literature and documentation, including quotations and delivery tickets.

The QSRMC and BSI Marks are the best known and most widely specified certification mark for ready mixed concrete. Only QSRMC or BSI certified companies can supply concrete in accordance with BS EN 206-1 Regulations.

The Regulations and the assessment standards are under the control of a Governing Board, the members of which are directly involved either in specifying/purchasing concrete or in supplying the product.

Assessment and certification staff all undergo an extensive initial training and continuing professional development programme which, by building on their previous experience as consulting engineers, materials engineers, contractors and from within the ready mixed concrete industry, enhances and maintains their expertise in concrete and quality management systems.

QSRMC and BSI are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for product conformity and quality management systems certification. Accreditation provides assurance that QSRMC operates in accordance with International Standards.

Environment

ALL BRMCA Members operate Company Systems to BS EN ISO 14001 standards.

The Member companies are committed to reducing the Environmental Impact of their product and are working with Government and Industry Clients to ensure the creation of enhanced working practices to meet targets.

Concrete is a small net contributor to global warming, responsible for only 2.6% of UK CO2 emissions in 2002. This compares with 33% of total CO2 emissions from transport and 47% from buildings in use.

Sustainability

ALL BRMCA Members operate 'Sustainability Standards'.

The Member companies are committed to utilising 'Sustainable Resources', protecting the environment for years to come and reducing CO2 emissions.

BRMCA Members are committed to:

• Sustainability Management - Working with Government & The British Research Establishment (BRE) to enhance current performance and reduce Co2 Emissions
  
• Governance and Business Ethics
  
• Working with local communities
  
• Environmental Performance
  
• Responsible Sourcing & Procurement

Concrete Industry Initiatives & Achievements:

Ready Mixed Concrete is one of the most ECO Friendly construction materials used today:

• Concrete is a small net contributor to global warming, responsible for only 2.6% of UK CO2 emissions in 2002. This compares with 33% of total CO2 emissions from transport and 47% from buildings in use.
  
• Concrete is a small net contributor to global warming, responsible for only 2.6% of UK CO2 emissions in 2002. This compares with 33% of total CO2 emissions from transport and 47% from buildings in use.
  
• The Majority of Concrete contains cement produced as a By-Products of other Industries such as PFA from coal-fired power stations and ground granulated blast-furnace slag from the steel industry; both these would historically have gone to land-fill.
  
• Concrete has inherent thermal mass properties (unlike Steel). When used in buildings concrete reduces need for air conditioning and so saves energy and co2 emissions.
  
• The average delivery distance is 6 radial miles - saving on transport fuel and reducing Co2 emissions
  
• At the site, the 'plastic' product is poured into purpose-made moulds (formwork), and with good site supervision this results in virtually zero waste.
  
• Any excess Concrete returned from site is re-constituted and is very rarely sent to tip.
  
• All reinforcement bars used in the UK are already manufactured from recycled scrap
  
• At the end of a building's life, the in-situ concrete and reinforcement can be totally recycled and re-used in construction.
  
• The durability of concrete is proven by the continued existence today of buildings up to two thousand years old.
  
• Life Cycle Analysis (LCAs) of other construction products do not stack up against concrete.

Responsible Sourcing

ALL BRMCA Members operate 'Responsible Sourcing Standards' and via the Association are actively involved in the production of a Government recognised 'Responsible Sourcing' Document/Standard for the industry as a whole.

BRMCA Members are committed to:

• Locally Available Constituent Materials
• Material Suppliers demonstrating and committed to ongoing efforts to reduce Co2 Emissions
• Fair Trade Products
• Research & Development to find alternative and/or more ECO friendly products
• Abolishment of Slave & Child Labour

Concrete Industry Initiatives & Achievements:

• The Vast Majority of Concrete is produced using UK Sourced Cementitious Materials
• The Majority of Concrete contains cement produced as a By-Products of other Industries such as PFA from coal-fired power stations and ground granulated blast-furnace slag from the steel industry; both these would historically have gone to land-fill.
• A Large proportion of Constituent materials are transported by Rail or Barge, thus reducing Co2 emissions.
• All Cement products are produced by BS EN ISO 9000:2000 Accredited suppliers, also operating BS EN ISO 14001 & OHSAS 18001 Accredited systems
• The Majority of Aggregates used within concrete are sourced locally and travel minimal distances to Ready Mix Concrete Plants.
• The Quarry Products Association (QPA) has developed specific Environmental and Sustainability strategies to ensure its products are ECO-friendly and responsibly sourced and produced:
  The QPA is committed to: Biodiversity and Geodiversity, Restoration and the Natural Environment - for more information please visit our sustainability section here.

Industry Initiatives

The BRMCA and its Membership are actively involved in a number of initiatives to better serve Specialist Concrete Contractors and End User Clients Alike.

A number of these are detailed below:

• United Kingdom Concrete Platform
  
  Steering Committee
  SCTG (Sustainable Concrete Task Group)
  RITG (Research & Innovation Group)

• The Concrete Centre/Optimat
  
  Sustainability Strategy & Industry Targets
  
  
• BSI Standards
  
  Development of UK & Worldwide Standards
  
  
• Building Research Establishment (BRE)
  
  Responsible Sourcing Guidelines
  Sustainability Guidelines
  
  
• ERMCO - European Ready Mixed Concrete Association
  
  S&D (Strategy & Development Group)
  EcoTec (Sustainability & Environmental Group)
  European Concrete Platform - Task Groups
  
  
• CEN Standards
  
  Development of UK & Worldwide Standards

• BRMCA Technical/Marketing Group
  
  Technical/Marketing Group
  (Marketing/Development & Contractor/Client Liaison)
  
  
• BRMCA Technical Panel
  
  Technical Panel (Standards & Innovation)
  
  
• CONSTRUCT/BRMCA - Concrete Structures Group & BRMCA Joint Committees
  
  Steering Group (Strategy)
  Technical Group (Contractor/Supplier Initiatives)
  

Guidance on the Use of Concrete (Technical Publications & Advice)

Placement & Compaction Site Wall Chart
(DIY & Professional) - PDF

Sampling & Testing Concrete Site Wall Chart - PDF

Our Partner, The Concrete Centre offers a number of additional publications produced in co-operation with BRMCA covering the following:

• Article Reprints
• Best Practice Guidance
• Design Aids
• Industry Partner Publications
• Newsletters
• Project Profiles & Case Studies
• Reports and Research Papers
• Technical Guidance

These may be downloaded 'FREE OF CHARGE' (after Log In on the TCC web site) by visiting http://www.concretecentre.com/main.asp?page=728

For Additional advice please call the FREE NATIONAL HELPLINE on 0845 812 000

(Please note - The Advice is free, the call is charge at the Standard National Rate)

Events

Click here for QPA's Events page.