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M-01 Quality assurance introduction

What is a quality assurance system?

A quality assurance system:

  • is a documented system describing the organisational structure, responsibilities, authorities, policies, processes, procedures and resources for implementing quality management principles to achieve management goals and objectives (including statutory) within an organisation. This includes all activities that contribute to quality, directly or indirectly.
  • documents common-sense rules or methods for undertaking specific tasks or functions
  • is usually aligned with a ‘standard’, in this case the building consent authority standards and criteria,
    (Building Regulations)
  • provides a vehicle for developing and implementing continuous improvements.

Background

1. (Organisation’s name’s) quality assurance system has been developed to formally document the building consent authority’s quality assurance policies, processes and systems.

2. (Organisation’s name), as a building consent authority, performs the following functions.

  • Grants or refuses an application for building consent within 20 working days
  • Issues building consents but not if the building consent is subject to a waiver or modification
  • Inspects building work for which it has granted a building consent
  • Issues notices to fix
  • Issues code compliance certificates
  • Issues compliance schedules

3. The quality assurance system will be one of the tools used by (organisation’s name) to ensure the building consent authority’s quality assurance system complies with the accreditation requirements for building consent authorities.

4. A specific objective of the quality assurance system is to use appropriate checks and balances in order to demonstrate that (organisation’s name) ensures building consents, code compliance certificates, compliance schedules and notices to fix issued by (organisation’s name) are based on reliable technical judgements made by suitably qualified and experienced people.

5. The core processes and appropriate references that describe how this objective is achieved are as follows.

  • Clearly defined management and building official functions, responsibilities and relationships within the organisation (refer to M-07, M-11)
  • Monthly management review of all systems, audit reports, customer complaints/compliments and employee training requirements (refer to M-09)
  • Use of technical skills matrices, recording of training needs and programming of technical training (refer to M-15, M-14)
  • Application of internal audits of the quality assurance system and technical audits of plan processing and site inspection activities (refer to M-18)
  • Building consent application flowcharts, processes, forms and checklists (refer to T-04)
  • Inspection of buildings for compliance with approved plans and specifications (refer to T-30)
  • Evaluation of suppliers including consultants/contractors used by the organisation (refer to M-20, T-06)

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Process format

1. In general, processes have been set out in the following format

1.1 A high level process flowchart providing an overview of the process (refer to M-03.1). The flowchart identifies inputs and outputs, and key steps and check points in the process, and highlights critical interfaces between processes and business units.

1.2 Where appropriate, an accompanying process narrative which outlines (refer to M-03.2):

  • the purpose of the process
  • the responsibilities and authorities associated with the process
  • any further process detail not covered in the flowchart.

1.3 In general there will be a heading in the process which matches each step and check point in the flowchart.

1.4 Should you require any further information or clarification regarding (organisation’s name’s) quality assurance system please contact the (TBA).

(Example Only )

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