Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) is a synthesized OPC cement that comprises 15-35% pozzolanic material, 4% gypsum, and clinker. As per the BIS code, the PPC grading has been capped at 33. Since the pozzolanic material reacts with Ca(OH)2 freed by the wetting portland cement and produces cementitious compounds, PPC allows concrete to become denser and impermeable. It is broadly used in marine works, construction of hydraulic structures, mass concreting, etc. It safeguards concrete from damageable alkali-aggregate reactions. Let’s take a walk through how you can secure BIS certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement with ease.
General Guidelines Mentioned Under IS 1489 (Part 2)
How Portland Pozzolana cement should be produced and what should be it physical and chemical characteristics are defined in the IS 1489 (Part 2), which is an Indian Standard.
Part 2 of the standard encompasses the physical, production, and chemical requisites of Portland-pozzolana cement derived from the calcined clay mixture or pozzolana.
As mentioned earlier, the Portland Pozzolana Cement is composed of different materials such as Ordinary Portland Cement clinker, gypsum, and pozzolanic material. All these materials are mixed together in a certain proportion to attain described quality.
PPC boosts workability and has minimal bleeding and segregation, augmented water-tightness, and prevents lime from leaching out.
It dissipates minimal hydration heat and withstands the harsh impact of water having sulphates and chlorides. Plus, it makes the structures impermeable and corrosion-resistant by strengthening the concrete over time.
Tests to Qualify For BIS Certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement
The mandatory tests to qualify for the BIS certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement are as follows:
- Fineness Test
- Setting Time
- Soundness Test
- Transverse Strength Test
- Drying Shrinkage
- Compressive Strength
- Chemical Testing
- Calcined Clay Testing
- Fly Ash Testing
A lab must have trained staff and adequate resources at its disposal to carry out such tests. The cement manufacturer must take these tests into account to stay compliant.
The BIS license holders are only eligible to mark the cement bag or drum with a mandatory ISI marking. The rules concerning marking and labeling are cited under IS 1489 (Part 2).
The permission for affixing ISI marking is granted by the BIS concerned department after scrutinizing the application and production premises.
Documents Needed For BIS Certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement
The mandatory documentation for BIS certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement is as follows:
- Factory License
- Pollution NOC Accorded By SPCB
- Partnership Deed Or COI
- List Of Apparatus And Equipment In The Lab
- Flowchart Showing The Production Process
- A Lab Report Affirming The Product Quality
- Details Of Production-Related Machinery
- Details Of Products To Be Registered Under The BIS ISI Scheme
- Trademark Registration
- An Authorization Letter For An Agent To File A BIS License
How to Obtain BIS Certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement?
The detailed procedure concerning the BIS certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement is as follows:
Step 1: Head to the BIS Portal and File the Application
The official portal of BIS enables license seekers to apply under the ISI marking scheme. The application for ISI marking entails various mandatory fields relating to business, products, machines, test capabilities, and so on.
Make sure to fill out these fields with utmost accuracy to avert cancellation chances. The application filing is followed by the paperwork and fee submission.
Note: A single product type can be applied via a single application. Thus, for multiple products, the applicant needs to fill out separate applications corresponding to each product.
Step 2: Vetting Process
The vetting process shall be performed by the BIS officials as soon as they receive the application and required paperwork. This will involve paperwork inspection, premises scrutiny, and sample collection for testing.
During their on-site visit, the BIS officials[1] will prioritize the following parameters to determine the compliance level.
- Manufacturing Infrastructure
- Testing capabilities
- Production process
- Standard(s) being followed
Sample collection will be the last undertaking in the vetting process. This will involve the random picking of specimens from the production lot.
Step 3: Lab Testing and Report Preparation
Selected specimens shall be forwarded to the certified lab, which will conduct the following tests for quality assurance.
- Fineness test
- Setting time
- Soundness test
- Transverse Strength Test
- Drying shrinkage
- Compressive Strength
- Chemical testing
- Calcined clay testing
- Fly ash testing
Post this, the detailed report shall be prepared by the lab, enclosing all the findings and outcomes.
Step 4: Report Sharing With the BIS
The lab, after preparing the report, shall get in touch with the application and prompt him to collect the report. Since the lab report stays valid for a limited timeline, it’s important for the application to share it with BIS on time.
Step 5: Grant of BIS License
This will be the last step in this process in which the BIS will review the lab report to affirm the product quality. The authority shall grant the BIS certification if the lab report comes out positive.
Conclusion
BIS certification for Portland Pozzolana Cement enables cement manufacturers to follow standardized testing requirements so that they can produce high-quality PPC for various applications. Let us know if you need any kind of assistance concerning this registration.
Also Read:
BIS ISI Certification For Ordinary Portland Cement
