Consultant Analytical
Investigation Laboratories
Materials
Testing Service
Priory
Grange, Watling Street, Old Roman Road
Affetside
Bury,
Telephone : (+44) (0) 1204-886677
Email:
mbtlabs@aol.com or enquiries@mbtlabs.co.uk
www.mbtlabs.co.uk
Contents
Expert Witness &
Arbitration Services
Investigations, Surveys &
Reports
Construction Material &
Laboratory Testing Service
construction,materials,testing,analytical,laboratories,on-site,investigations,sulphate,
chloride,chemical,attack,
concrete,mortar,expert,witness,site,survey,asphalt,levelling,compounds,admixture,presence,british,standards,
grading,characteristics,mix,proportions,cement,content,schmidt,rebound,hammer,tests,screed,brickwork,
masonry,recommendations,remedial,repair
About
us
Analytical Testing
Laboratories Est. 1968
Manchester Building and Testing Laboratories was established in 1968.
Our laboratories have wholly specialised within the construction industry, we are on the recommended lists of the Building Research Establishment, Cement and Concrete Association, Concrete Society, PSA, MAC etc., and are also recommended in ‘Defects in Building’ published by HMSO.
Expert Witness & Arbitration Services
We have carried out innumerable investigations to litigation standards and many of our more prestigious clients are listed on our reference page. Our laboratories are able to carry out an on-site or building survey which includes taking samples, notes and a photographic record of the problems encountered to asses the extent of the defects. Samples, taken by our on-site testing team with strict reference to the relevant British or European Standards, are all tested in our laboratories with strict reference to the relevant British or European Standards. A detailed report can be produced highlighting the causes of the problem and whether the codes of practice were adhered too. Our laboratories offer a full arbitration service based upon the considered conclusions of this report. If arbitration does not achieve a satisfactory settlement then we will act as expert witness in court.
Investigations, Surveys & Reports
We carry out investigations into the causes of a variety of problems within the construction industry:-
Defects within construction
materials
Defects due to bad workmanship
Defects due to specification
errors
Contamination & chemical
attack
Durability assessment
Recommendations for remedial
repair
Specification requirements
Arbitration services
Act as court appointed
independent testing laboratories
Full site survey, testing and
reporting
Our investigations are carried out by a dedicated team who all have scientific backgrounds and many years experience within the construction industry. Our most senior member having over 40 years experience. The reports produced can be as simple as single results sheets or incorporate full considered conclusions and recommendations explaining fully what the results signify, how to interpret them, whether they conform to relevant codes of practice and what is the best course of action for remedial work or prevention of further problems. The reports produced can go into great detail with references to similar problems that we have investigated and how the remedial work was overseen, implemented and to its projected life expectancy. Investigations and reports can also be carried out to full litigation standards with the key members of the team being qualified to act as expert witness if so required.
On-Site Testing
Full site survey, testing and
reporting
Site failure investigations
Schmidt Hammer test (rebound)
B.R.E. Screed tester
Floor humidity tests to BS 8204
Quality control
Sample drillings
Chloride testing
Presence of H.A.C.
Chemical attack
Sulphate attack
Mastic Asphalt
Floor failures
Brickwork & Masonry
Aggregate grading
Concrete testing
Mortar testing
Levelling compounds
Construction failures in
general
Our on-site testing team also have a scientific background so all tests and samples are taken with good laboratory practice in mind (no cross contamination, correct sample size and relevant sample location). Written notes are taken throughout with locations, descriptions and references being clearly marked with strict reference to all relevant British or European Standards. If litigation is then considered at a later date the testing procedure will stand the scrutiny of the courts.
Construction Material
Testing Service
Mortar testing
Mix Proportions (cement: lime:
sand) etc.
Grading characteristics
Cement content
Admixture presence
Chemical attack
Sulphate attack
Concrete testing
Construction materials
conformity to relevant British or European Standard (manufacturer/customer)
Mastic Asphalt
Levelling compounds
Proprietary Materials e.g.
Epoxy - Polyurethane - Polyester - SBR - Acrylics etc.
Construction materials can be sent to our laboratories for testing, we can also obtain the samples from site with our on site testing team or collect them from anywhere in the U.K. We can test all types of construction materials for their conformity to the relevant Codes of Practice and British/European Standards. Accelerated durability tests, check for chemical attack, break down the components so that aggregate grading characteristics, cement content, sulphate content (actual or as a percentage of the cement content), chloride content and presence of admixtures etc. can be determined.