Frequently Asked Questions |
| This page lists questions and answers related to the Eastern States Consortium (ESC) program for HDPE Pipe. The intent is to provide readily available answers to common questions, and to help insure consistent administration of the program. |
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| Will testing laboratories report National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) test results for pipe and resin samples taken during ESC plant inspections directly to the ESC? |
| No, the results will be reported to NTPEP and the manufacturer in accordance with the NTPEP protocol. The ESC is simply providing a mechanism for obtaining the samples. If the manufacturer and NTPEP agree to post the test results, the results will be included on the ESC web site along with the manufacturer’s split sample results. |
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| Should NTPEP samples be taken during ESC plant inspections? |
| Yes, NTPEP pipe and resin samples should be taken during plant inspections. The procedures for the sampling, instructions for handling the samples, and the coordination with NTPEP program administrators are included in Form 9. The samples are usually taken from pipe being produced during the inspection, but it is also desirable to eventually cover all sizes produced at a plant. The manufacturer should be consulted during the plant inspection to determine what sizes have already been sampled so that the sizes can be selected, if possible. |
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| Are ESC plant qualifications for specific products (type and size of pipe)? |
No. The ESC qualifies plants based on them having a quality control system in conformance with the requirements established for the program. The qualification is process, not product, oriented. All products produced by the plant are included in the ESC program.
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| Is it necessary to review all quality control technicians and production lines during a plant review? |
| No, the review is intended to be a spot check of quality control operations at the time of the review. The qualifications of the technicians working during the review should be addressed, but it is not necessary to cover technicians working other shifts. As many production lines producing AASHTO product, as time permits, should be included in the review. |
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| Do manufacturers have to have a quality mission statement with an original signature at each plant, and does it have to be posted? |
| No, a copy of the quality mission statement with an original signature is not required at a plant, but each plant should have a copy of the Quality System Manual, which contains a signed copy of the quality mission statement. All employees should be aware of the statement, either through posting or new employee orientation sessions, or some other appropriate means. |
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