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UKAS Accredited Testing

Part of the BBf Group providing impartial accredited laboratory testing

World leading laboratory testing for GRC

At BBf testing, we have invested heavily in our glassfibre reinforced concrete testing capabilities, providing a truly industry-leading service.

We operate what we believe is probably the only laboratory testing facility in the world which has been accredited by an ILAC (international Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) member to be fully compliant to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 in testing GRC to both GRCA and EN standard requirements along with our own laboratory developed methods.

BBf testing is committed to operating a comprehensive quality management system in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 17025:2017 which involves all staff and employees. Our quality management system is regularly reviewed by both management and supervisory staff to ensure both its effectiveness and continued development.

Impartiality is an integral part of BBf testing’s quality management system. All BBf testing activities are required to work totally independently and without prejudice in either a positive or negative manner to any associated, connected companies, or other businesses and/or bodies.

Another integral part of BBf testing is confidentially, which ensures that all employees, sub-contractors, and customers fully understand the Organisation’s requirements in relation to the disclosure of personal data and confidential information.

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Accreditations, Certifications & Memberships

With accreditations for all key GRC testing standards to both GRCA and EN requirements, BBf testing is currently the only lab in the UK to be recognised by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) for GRC testing to ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

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BBf testing is certified from BSI in relation to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System)

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BBf testing is an active member of the UK-based International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA). Group employees act on both the GRCA Council and Board of Directors.

Learn more about the GRCA

Flexural bending tests

Flexural bending tests of GRC are used to identify the stress and deformation performance of a GRC composition subjected to bending.

The test method is used to determine the flexural properties of GRC material, by determining the limit of proportionality (LOP) and the modulus of rupture (MOR) of GRC material. For testing, a number of coupons are cut from GRC elements or from a test board manufactured, demoulded, and cured in the same manner as the GRC elements it represents.

Which flexural bending tests do we perform at BBf testing:

  • BS EN 1170 – 5: Measuring bending strength, "Complete bending test" method
  • GRCA MOT – 3: Determination of flexural properties of glassfibre reinforced concrete (GRC) material
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Density, Water Absorption & Porosity tests

These tests are used to determine the dry and wet bulk density, water absorption and porosity of a given GRC composition.

Which Density, water absorption & porosity tests do we perform at BBf testing:

  • BS EN 1170 – 6: Determination of the absorption of water by immersion and determination of the dry density
  • GRCA MOT – 2: Determination of the dry and wet bulk density, water absorption and apparent porosity of glassfibre reinforced concrete (GRC) material
Download technical specifications

Pull-out tests

The first two tests are used to determine the ability of a fixing insert or anchor to withstand either tensile or shear applied loads when embedded in GRC material.

The third test is used to determine the ability of an anchor bonding pad to withstand typical in-service loads (combination of axial and tensile) when formed homogenously with spray process GRC material. It can be used to determine the bond strength of such pads when used either to attach a separate stud frame or provide fixing points for embedded anchors.

Which Pull-out tests do we perform at BBf testing:

  • LDM (Laboratory Developed Method) 1201 – Testing of embedded anchors in glass fibre reinforced concrete tensile load
  • LDM (Laboratory Developed Method) 1202 – Testing of embedded anchors in glass fibre reinforced concrete shear load
  • DIHM LDM (Laboratory Developed Method) 1204 - Testing of anchor bonding pads in spray process glass fibre reinforced concrete.
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Moisture & Weathering tests

Moisture tests are used to identify the maximum dimensional variations of a GRC composition attributable to variations in the water content to which products exposed to the elements may be subjected.

Weathering tests identify, for a given GRC composition, the effect of environmental factors as water and temperature on the change of mechanical properties.

The third test determines the effect of a cycle of freezing and thawing on GRC to determine loss of flexural bending strength at both the elastic/yield (LOP) and ultimate (MOR) levels.

Which Moisture & weathering tests do we perform at BBf testing:

  • DIHM SOP12 - based on BS EN 1170-7: Dimensional variation of glass fibre reinforced concrete due to moisture content
  • DIHM SOP13 - based on BS EN 1170-8: Cycle weathering test for glass fibre reinforced concrete
  • DIHM SOP33 - based on BS EN 12467 + A2: Climatic performance - freeze - thaw
Download technical specifications

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Group Technical Publications

Technical specifications and procedures.

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External Technical Publications

Insight from the wider GRC industry.

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Certificates

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BBf testing Limited

Quality Policy Statement

The company is committed to operating a comprehensive quality management system in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 17025: 2017 which involves all staff and employees.

The quality management system will be regularly reviewed by both the management and supervisory staff to ensure both its effectiveness and continued development.

The strategic objectives of the company and to which all management are committed are:

  • Quality in all we do, measured through documented customer feedback and analysis of recorded complaints and non-conformities
  • To ensure that all orders are fulfilled in accordance with customer requirements measured through a documented record system.
  • To ensure we meet customer, legal, statutory and any other relevant requirements.
  • To ensure complete impartiality in all group activities
  • Continued development of the BBf testing business through structured objectives to ensure up-to-date testing capabilities.

To discuss our testing services further, or to begin working with BBf testing, simply get in touch. We’re here to help.

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