Quality Assurance Act with the Autodesk Construction Cloud

With the introduction of the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb) in the Netherlands on Jan. 1, 2024, the responsibility for complying with the new Environment Act (Building Code) will shift to the client and contractor. The obligation to document and demonstrate compliance with the principles of the Environment Act/BBL is thus also on the commissioning and implementing side. Clients are required to appoint a quality assurance officer, who ensures that in various phases of the realization of the construction work aan all quality requirements are met. The contractor is required to provide the documentation prescribed in the assurance plan. The change in the Environment Act puts more responsibility on the contractor and less on the client.

In this, there are two roles: the legal quality assurance officer who reviews the supplied file, and the internal quality assurance officer who creates the file for the legal quality assurance officer. NewArmstrong has an in-house qualifier to compile dossier.

With that, the need for effective tools and processes for quality control and management has become even more important. Fortunately, the Autodesk Construction Cloud provides a comprehensive platform specifically designed to address these challenges and facilitate compliance with this new law.

The Wkb places more responsibility for the quality of construction work on contractors and construction companies themselves, with a focus on demonstrating this quality throughout the construction process. This is where the Autodesk Construction Cloud comes in as a comprehensive system that enables various aspects within quality assurance.

Transparent documentation and process management for the Quality Assurance Act:

The platform provides tools for tracking and managing documentation during all phases of the construction project. It allows all stakeholders, including construction companies, inspectors and clients, to access and collaborate on critical documents, including permits, inspection reports, calculations and quality plans. This accessibility and transparency greatly facilitates the evidentiary process, which is essential under the new legislation.

Quality control and management:

Advanced quality control tools allow construction teams to plan, conduct and follow up on inspections. This includes recording photos, observations and findings during inspections, defining corrective actions and monitoring progress. These streamlined processes help demonstrate compliance with quality standards –in short, to meet the burden of proof required by new construction industry legislation.

Real-time collaboration:

The ability to collaborate real-time within the Autodesk Construction Cloud increases the efficiency and accuracy of communication between different stakeholders. Teams can immediately respond to changes, resolve issues and share documentation, promoting overall quality and regulatory compliance.In addition, both internal and external controls are secured and previously made changes can always be looked back at.

Data-driven decision-making:

By collecting and analyzing data throughout the construction process, the Autodesk Construction Cloud provides insights that can lead to better decision-making. It enables identification of trends, detection of recurring problems and proactive measures.

The Autodesk Construction Cloud acts as an integral platform that facilitates compliance with the Building Quality Assurance Act. By streamlining documentation, improving quality processes and fostering collaboration, it helps construction companies comply with the new legislation while delivering high-quality projects. NewArmstrong has all the project data from various customers in the Autodesk Construction Cloud, which also controls the approval processes.

Evidence and transparency:

Proving the quality of construction works is a core aspect of the Wkb. Storing photos and documentation in the Autodesk Construction Cloud captures a transparent and detailed record of the entire construction process. This evidence can be crucial in disputes, inspections or legal issues that may arise.

This is not just about recording the end result, but also documenting progress, any changes, inspections and materials used throughout the project.

Inspection and quality control:

Photographs and documentation serve as tangible evidence of compliance with applicable building codes and quality standards. When inspections are performed, stored photos in the Autodesk Construction Cloud provide a detailed visual representation of the state of the project at a specific time.

This not only helps demonstrate compliance but also allows for in-depth analysis, allowing any discrepancies to be quickly identified and addressed.

The delivery and collection of this documentation will also be requested by the quality assurance contractor, making building a file for the construction team is an obligation and where Autodesk Construction Cloud provides the tool offers to record this in. In the example below, the remodeling of an office, NewArmstrong has already captured the photos of a recording of the facilities in a the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Strengthening trust and cooperation:

Centralized storage of documentation promotes trust among all stakeholders, including clients, construction companies and quality assurance agencies. It streamlines collaboration and communication by allowing everyone to access the same accurate and up-to-date information. This leads to reduced misunderstandings and improved cooperation throughout the project.

By storing photos and documentation in the Autodesk Construction Cloud, construction companies not only comply with the legal requirements of the Wkb, but they also strengthen their ability to deliver high-quality projects.

It is a powerful tool for evidence, quality control, continuous improvement and transparent collaboration, essential at a time when regulatory compliance and quality are central to the construction industry. NewArmstrong can support this by managing projects from Design to Execution in the Autodesk Construction Cloud.