air meters
air meters
(OP)
as a concrete inspector, i have always used the roll meter, its in good shape, I gget a new one about every five years, I like the roll meter.
The pressure meter, is bulky for my small truck and people do like to take them, when they in the bed. leaky oring, stuck valves etc. nothing abnormal. I just like the roll meter.
my question is; I been kick off at least three jobs because i use a roll meter instead of a pressure meter, when did contractor have the right to tell me what equipment i must use if the equipment are ACI certified ?
The pressure meter, is bulky for my small truck and people do like to take them, when they in the bed. leaky oring, stuck valves etc. nothing abnormal. I just like the roll meter.
my question is; I been kick off at least three jobs because i use a roll meter instead of a pressure meter, when did contractor have the right to tell me what equipment i must use if the equipment are ACI certified ?





RE: air meters
I agree that the Roll-O-Meter is a better, more repeatable method. Pressure meters can be quirky and they are hard to maintain.
RE: air meters
There are some contractors out there that "kick off" an inspector/tech because they are really just looking for one they feel they can control to replace you. I've been requested not to return to at least 5 sites by the GC all while holding a PE license, ACI 1, AWS-CWI, and a ton of ICCs, so don't think that getting red-carded isn't par for the course.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but i think there is something more than just the equipment you are using at play here. There are plenty of technicians out there who will test the air from the first wheelbarrow load out of the truck to "Check the air and the slump". They then tell the contractor it is in spec and they proceed to discharge. They then collect their strength sample mid-load to finish the test (assuming a savvy GC, concrete foreman, or QC from the plant is there... all who know the concrete strength is best from the mid-load mix). Of course we all know that doesn't meet ACI/ASTM, but if the GC you are dealing with assumes they must include waiting for you to finish testing in their means/methods.... you will continue to be kicked off because rollameter is slower. Bottom line is unless specified otherwise (very rare) initial testing should be done by the Contractor QC and assuming you work for the Owner your testing should be middle of load.
RE: air meters