Quality Assurance Standards

Abstract

The general principles of quality assurance were originally developed in the manufacturing sector of industry to assure the consistently good output of products. Within the UK, the principles of quality assurance have been developed and encapsulated in BS 5750 which forms the document now used as the basis for the application of quality assurance to many different industries including construction. There have been some problems with the performance of buildings and there is a great deal of scope for improving quality in building. Government pressure to improve the quality of UK manufactured products has led to the widespread promotion of quality assurance and part of that pressure is exerted in building through major Governmental departments commissioning construction works. Many aspects of UK construction industry have responded to the requirement for better quality and quality assurance has, therefore, developed beyond the field of materials, components and products and is addressing building design, site assembly and the management of construction.