Quality Assurance Paradigm
Last Modified: 05-03-2024
Quality Objectives
Nordic Offsite’s prefabricated bathroom pods shall be recognised as a high-quality product with exceptional reliability across all market sectors.
The characteristics of the bathroom pods shall at a minimum comply with statutory requirements and industry standards and, wherever feasible, meet customer expectations.
For each type of bathroom pod, whether of high, medium, or low specification, the quality must remain consistently high.
Project Review
Prior to the commencement of any project, Nordic Offsite will conduct a thorough review of project documentation. This review will form the basis for planning the drawing materials and the specifications for the pods and fixtures.
Based on the project drawings and fixture specifications, a comprehensive materials list will be compiled to manage production effectively. The delivery of bathroom pods will be scheduled according to the latest issued position list.
A pre-start meeting will be convened with the client’s consultant and main contractor. This meeting will be documented in minutes, detailing agreed actions and responsible parties. The consultant or main contractor will prepare the meeting minutes.
Site Inspections
At the project review meeting, site inspections of designated works or materials will be agreed upon. During inspections, a formal inspection protocol will be prepared, recording the characteristics examined and indicating approval or rejection. The client or main contractor will be responsible for maintaining the inspection records.
Document Control
All necessary drawings, descriptions, and revisions essential for project execution will be submitted to Nordic Offsite or made available on the relevant digital project platform. This ensures that Nordic Offsite always operates with the latest drawings.
Upon receiving updated drawings, revisions will be reviewed, and Nordic Offsite will highlight any project changes that may impact time, cost, or quality.
Nordic Offsite will use in-house drawings to guide production, ensuring that all work aligns with the current approved drawings.
Project changes will be communicated to the production team by the project manager. The document control procedures will ensure that only current drawings are in use and that completed work is properly documented as “as-built.”
Design and Engineering
The foundation for production drawings is the agreement between the client and Nordic Offsite, based on the applicable tender documents. Following the agreement, an internal project schedule with key milestones will be established.
The design manager is responsible for preparing the drawings for each project.
Drawings and specifications will be developed in accordance with the applicable tender documents and Nordic Offsite’s internal standards. All drawings will adhere to the company’s internal drafting manual.
Material lists and drawings will be submitted to the client or their representative for review and approval at least 12 weeks before the first batch of bathroom pods is delivered.
Project Changes
If changes to the material list or drawings are identified, the design manager will be responsible for managing these modifications. No project changes will be implemented without a written agreement from the main contractor or client. All changes will be documented in a project clarification report.
Project Clarifications
Project clarifications are used to resolve technical queries, refine specifications, or provide additional project documentation.
The main contractor or client’s consultant shall establish a system for managing project clarifications and technical queries.
Process Control in Production
All Nordic Offsite bathroom pods are designed in the UK and manufactured in Poland. The production process is conducted under planned and controlled conditions.
Procedures exist for individual processes, ensuring compliance with quality and environmental standards.
Before production begins, a material list is compiled. Any materials supplied by the client must be approved by the design manager, and the client is responsible for coordinating deliveries with the production facility in Poland.
Nordic Offsite has specified its quality control requirements in process procedures. Quality control is documented using digital systems.
Digital Quality Assurance
This project will utilise a digital quality assurance system, which verifies production processes via mobile or tablet devices. The control points of the process are predefined, and after production is completed, a digital quality assurance report can be generated.
Delivery Inspection
Nordic Offsite delivers bathroom pods to the construction site for installation by a separate contractor. The project manager will provide or refer to detailed installation and handover instructions, which are available online.
The installation contractor must ensure that all bathroom pods are safely transported to the respective dwellings/rooms. A visual inspection must be carried out upon delivery to check for visible damage and verify the number and specification against the installation plan. Any discrepancies must be recorded on the delivery notes, and the project manager must be notified.
If any pods fail to meet the project specifications, they shall still be installed as per the installation plan. The project manager will handle complaints, rectifications, and notifications to the construction manager.
No remedial work shall be carried out without prior written agreement from the construction management team for damages incurred during transportation or installation.
Process and Final Inspection on Site
Each bathroom pod will undergo a final visual inspection, following the quality assurance checklist, and a functionality test will be performed.
Following delivery and once the building is weathertight, a Nordic Offsite representative will conduct a site inspection to assess any installation damage and verify completeness.
If damage caused by other trades results in significant delays or disruption to other subcontractors, the main contractor’s site manager must be informed immediately.
Bathroom pods will be delivered locked and will be unlocked by a Nordic Offsite technician for the final inspection. The main contractor must keep the pods locked until handover and must not use them for storage of construction materials, tools, or waste. Sanitary fittings must not be used before handover.
Defects
Any defects identified during the work will be rectified continuously. Any defects found during the final inspection must be corrected before handover to the client.
No remedial work or replacements shall be undertaken without a written agreement with the main contractor for defects and damages.
Defects recorded at the handover inspection shall be rectified in accordance with the UK construction contract standards. This also applies during the defect liability period.
Non-Conformities
If deviations in the delivered pods or site conditions are identified, the project manager must be contacted. The project manager will handle complaints and notify the main contractor if necessary. No deviations shall be made without written approval from the construction management team.
Operations and Maintenance Manual (O&M)
The O&M manual shall include:
General information on warranties and the lifespan of building components.
Material specifications for each bathroom pod type.
A component data sheet specifying:
Manufacturer and model of materials.
Order numbers (e.g., EAN, plumbing, or electrical codes).
Nordic Offsite as the supplier.
Maintenance and cleaning guidelines.
Handover
The quality manual, inspection plan, and copies of relevant documentation shall be submitted to the client or main contractor no later than project handover. If delivered digitally, the documents shall be in PDF format.
Upon completion of the works, the following documentation shall be provided:
Quality manual.
Inspection plan.
Data sheets or certificates for incorporated materials.
Material list.
Approved sample pod inspection report.
Inspection records for process and final inspections.
O&M manual in digital format.
All project documentation will be archived by Nordic Offsite and retained for five years post-handover.