Mix Design and Field Testing: General observation of procedures; form verification, rebar placement, verification that stockpiled materials are not contaminated before going into the mix, concrete batching and quantities; and materials testing including -slump, air entrainment, temperature, unit weight, test specimen fabrication, casting of units, curing, compressive strength and flexural beam test specimens, stripping units, post-pour inspections, and shipping inspection.

Plant Inspection: Our plant inspectors are responsible for the review of mix designs and shop drawings; inspection of all fabricated pieces and components; and review of all plants, mixers, trucks and stressing equipment for compliance to specifications. Inspectors witness sieve analyses, moisture tests and aggregate sampling procedures prior to and during concrete batching. Inspectors are responsible to witness compression strength testing of concrete cylinders. In addition, material samples are obtained for departmental testing of composition.

Pre-Cast Installation: Parking Structures, Bridges and Slabs.

Laboratory: Compression strength of cylinders and Flexural strength of beams

Compaction testing: Including Moisture & density using Troxler nuclear gauge.

Foundation Inspection: Soil bearing capacity using Conical tipped hand probe , Dynamic Penetrometer (Drop hammer) and settlement monitoring

Retaining Walls: Foundation, backfill and grids

Erosion and Sediment Controls: Swales, berms, storm sewer, detention and retention basins

Turf Field Installation: Familiar with types and operation of most excavation and compaction equipment

Laboratory: Proctor Analysis, Standard Proctor, Modified proctor, Moisture and density, Sieve analysis

External Insulated Finished System is a building system used for both exterior appearance and it supplies the required insulating value.KAKS can provide qualified personnel to inspect the EIFS installation for your project.  Checks include monitoring wood moisture content, inspection of attachments, caulking, flashing, joint seals, adherence to manufacturers recommendations, areas of termination, and numerous other details in the installation process.

KAKS offers a full service materials testing laboratory. KAKS can provide testing on a variety of materials, ranging from soils, concrete, brick, asphalt, rock, media, and numerous other items. The laboratory staff at KAKS has accreditation through the International Code Council (ICC), the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), PENNDOT, and has a qualified staff on hand to complete your testing needs. KAKS’ ever expanding capabilities can provide you accurate, timely testing results.  If you have a laboratory testing need, contact us.  We would be glad to provide a schedule of fees or a quotation for you.   If you don’t see a service that you need, contact us as well.  We strive to meet all of our client’s needs and can provide or find the best service for you.   Some of our basic services that we offer include:

• Soil Classification testing (Sieve, hydrometer and Atterberg limits)
• Proctors (ASTM, AASHTO and state specific methods)
• California Bearing Ratios
• Assorted Aggregate tests (ASTM and AASHTO Methods)
• Filter Media Testing
• Brick and CMU testing (various tests)
• Concrete cylinder and beam testing
• Shotcrete grading and testing
• Asphalt Core Testing
• Coring Services of Asphalt, Concrete, and Shotcrete
• Mortar and Grout Compressive strength testing
• Spray Applied Fire Resistive Material (SFRM)

KAKS is excited to be able to provide media testing for water treatment facilities. Filter media is one of the most important materials to provide safe, quality drinking water to the public. Filter media types can include high density sands and gravels, silica sand and anthracite. KAKS laboratory will provide testing in accordance with applicable standards for each type of media. Some of the testing services provided include:

• Specific Gravity
• Density
• Particle Size Analysis
• Organic Impurities
• LA Abrasion
• Sulfate Soundness
• Hardness in accordance with the Moh’s scale
• Other associated test procedures

KAKS’s Third Party Quality Assurance Services is designed to work with builders and owners during construction. Our Quality Assurance Program offers a variety of plan review and inspection services that can be customized to meet each projects unique quality standards every time with specific emphasis on any or all of the following building components:

STRUCTURAL

• Foundations
• Slabs-on-grade
• Vertical load bearing components
• Horizontal load bearing components
• Critical connections & bracing

BUILDING ENVELOPE

• Glass & Glazing
• Waterproofing
• Roofing
• Exterior cladding

SPECIALTY COMPONENTS

• Safeguards
• Accessibility & ADA compliance
• Fire partitions & rated assemblies

FIT AND FINISH

• Millwork
• Hardware
• Mechanical, electrical & plumbing trim out
• Door fit-up
• Interior finishes

KAKS provides a proactive approach to the project. Working with the contractors and installers ensures getting the job completed the first time prevents re-inspections and keeps the project on time and more importantly on budget.

The inspection of waterproofing systems is important throughout the construction life of a structure. Waterproofing membrane manufacturers generally require a third party inspection of the materials installation. KAKS can provide qualified staff to perform initial and continuous inspections of the waterproofing membrane installation. Continuous monitoring is important as many trades on a construction site can cause damage to a waterproofing system during their work activities. In addition to the monitoring, KAKS can provide monitoring and inspection services in accordance with ASTM and manufacturers standards for flood testing.