Maximum efficiency in inspection activities Netherlands wide

Inspectors from inspection and consultancy firm A-Quin work across the Netherlands: along the water, on the highway, at locks and viaducts. Clients such as Rijkswaterstaat, provinces and municipalities have a legal duty to keep the road and waterway infrastructure they manage safe and functional. The starting point is to manage and maintain it efficiently. Exactly what A-Quin also strives for: maximum efficiency.

A-Quin once again took a critical look at a large number of essential objects in infrastructure in 2023. "For example, a team has been busy with NEN 3140 and NEN 3840 surveys in four major tunnels in the Netherlands: the Schiphol Tunnel, the Leidsche Rhine Tunnel, Wijkertunnel and the Zeeburger Tunnel," says director Mans Damen. 

The Netherlands electrifying: increase in electrical inspections

Mans notes that the Netherlands is strongly committed to electrification. "We see this in the increase in requests for NEN 3140, SCIOS Scope 8, 10 and 12 and NEN 3840 inspections: the designated inspection standard setting requirements for safe operation of electrical installations." 

A-Quin has therefore increasingly focused on inspections according to SCIOS scope 8, 10 and 12. "Scope 8 is actually the classic NEN 3140 inspection focused on occupational safety, while scope 10 focuses on fire safety," Mans clarifies. "The latter specifically looks at the risk of fire with an electrical cause. The scope 12, on the other hand, is an independent inspection that does not build on other inspections. It is a complete inspection and official inspection of a solar installation. We do this on behalf of insurance companies, among others." 

More state inspections for municipalities and counties

More and more provinces and municipalities are also finding A-Quin. "This often involves complete condition inspections of engineering structures, where every component is inspected and documented. Because of the combination of our four disciplines - Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Asset Management - we are able to look at a structure with a different perspective. That leads to optimal efficiency and to optimal results."

So that the euro is spent in the right place!

In all cases, A-Quin is critical of the usefulness and necessity of inspection activities. Mans: "Does an inspection not provide any added value? Then we recommend another type of inspection such as monitoring or GTI (Targeted Technical Inspection). Mans: "Like, for example, with the monitoring of the Berlage Bridge and taking grease samples at the Princess Irene Lock where the Mechanical Engineering team contributed to extending the residual life in a responsible manner."

With a primary focus on the technical objectives of a project, we deliver a quality and thorough inspection report. Our clients often use this for a multi-year maintenance plan or to make decisions at the board level; ensuring that the euro is spent in the right place!"