Platform on concrete and steel in construction
The BOP brings together five organizations representing the entire concrete maintenance chain. They have one mission: together to be the best in the field of concrete repair and let the market benefit.
Association of Concrete Maintenance and Repair Advisors (VABOR):
Bureau members of VABOR are independent consulting firms, highly skilled in research and consulting for the maintenance, repair and strengthening of concrete. Independence guarantees that there is no commercial interest in the outcome of the research, the scope of measures or the products applied. Customization for the client, no more than necessary or desired but certainly not too little either. Solutions do not always have to be gold. VABOR bureau members assess with the client what level of intervention is appropriate, weighing the pros and cons of different options. The essence of independent advice, the added value of a VABOR consultant. Independent advice leaves the client free to go to market with it, whether or not supported by a VABOR bureau member for this selection or guidance during the intervention.
Interested members of VABOR make grateful use of the knowledge and expertise of the bureau members, by sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences. Interested members include clients, suppliers and performing companies. Concrete maintenance experts (BOK-ers) are also members of VABOR for the same reason.
Interested members and BOK members are not required to be independent, the bureau members are. By participating in the BOP, VABOR wants to bring the entire chain of research and advice up to and including implementation and products into the limelight. The field deserves this, says Corné van der Steen, chairman of VABOR: "The breadth of the field of concrete maintenance and repair is not only the man or woman behind the chipping hammer or trowel. No, it is a field in which craftsmen to academics are active. Each with their own qualities. A fascinating field of work. It is definitely worth working in it or getting into it, at whatever level."
Professional group of certified concrete repair companies (VBR).
The sixteen members of the Vakgroep gecertificeerde BetonReparatiebedrijven (VBR) are the premier league when it comes to maintaining, protecting and strengthening concrete structures. Projects from small to very large are approached with a customized Plan of Action and certified concrete repair. The work of the industry's professionals is of great importance, emphasizes industry chairman Christian Carlie. "More and more real estate, residential buildings, bridges and viaducts are nearing the end of their technical lifespan and need maintenance. If you repair the concrete properly, you extend the lifespan of an overpass, for example, by up to 30 years. Less visible than reusing concrete girders, but at least as sustainable. That's why our motto is also: value it, repair it."
It was precisely to increase the visibility of the work that the Concrete Maintenance Platform (BOP) was established. Carlie: "From the training of professionals to inspections to the actual repair and protection of structures and concrete structures, and all the smart solutions that go with it. Within this platform, all disciplines are represented. We coordinate our activities to serve clients even better. They can count on honest answers and expert execution with the right, certified product." You can take that for granted, right? "Unfortunately not, concrete repair is specialized work. And with more and more managers looking to extend the life of their concrete structures, the market is under pressure. The more than 50 companies within the BOP are happy to take up the gauntlet."
Association of Concrete Maintenance Suppliers (VLB).
Founded in 1986, the Concrete Maintenance Suppliers Association aims to ensure, improve and optimize the quality level of concrete repair and protection products in the industry. Moreover, the association is more than ever aware to contribute to sustainable concrete structures with its solutions. After all, life extension is high on the agenda. To achieve these objectives, the VLB informs and participates in various construction-related discussion platforms and (inter)national consultative bodies. The VLB also ensures that quality and certification meet the latest market requirements and needs. The members of the VLB are leading producers and manufacturers of high-quality concrete repair and protection products and systems.
For proper concrete maintenance, the appropriate repair method depends on the type of concrete damage observed, its nature and extent, and the necessary maintenance period. Of crucial importance are the working methods to be followed and the systems to be applied to extend the service life and ensure structural safety. VLB members have certified products and systems for this purpose. Moreover, they know the market well and offer advice and support where necessary. This is necessary to ensure the high quality of concrete maintenance now and in the future. The VLB as an independent industry association shares its knowledge and the latest developments with the entire industry. The VLB is also a co-founder of the Concrete Maintenance Platform (BOP). In this, the entire concrete maintenance chain is represented (VBR, VABOR, KB Knowledge Center and OtBS).
KB Knowledge Center
Cathodic protection of reinforcement in concrete (KB) has become indispensable within concrete maintenance. KB stops and prevents corrosion. Without application of KB, durability (long service life of the repair) is often difficult to achieve, especially with chloride-initiated reinforcement corrosion. Within the Netherlands, a very large amount of experience has been gained in recent decades with the application of cathodic protection to reinforced concrete structures. Although it is a proven, extremely durable technique, the number of cathodically protected structures remains relatively small. In order to bring the technique to the attention of a broad public, the KB Knowledge Center Foundation has been established. It includes clients, training institutes, consulting firms, contractors and suppliers who have an affinity with or wish to acquire knowledge about cathodic protection. The activities of the knowledge center consist of:
KB Knowledge Center, as one of five members, stands squarely behind the mission of the Concrete Maintenance Platform "Extend the Life of Concrete, Value it and Repair it. "It is critical that old concrete structures are given new life. With the use of the right knowledge at the right time, concrete is sustainable and green. In doing so, we are in line with the ambitions of the National Strategy for Climate Neutral and Circular Infrastructure Projects."
Concrete Repair Specialist Training Foundation (OtBS).
Throughout the concrete repair industry, craftsmanship of the executive staff is highly valued. The Concrete Repair Specialist Training Foundation (OtBS) is committed to training concrete repairers with a nationally recognized secondary vocational (MBO) diploma. There is training at level 2 (concrete repair specialist) and at level 3 (all-round concrete repair specialist). In this there is cooperation with the Regional Training Center Midden Nederland in Nieuwegein. To comply with the recognition regulation for concrete repair companies (BRL 3201:2017), qualified personnel is also a prerequisite. Only companies affiliated with OtBS can offer students for training.
Students attend the training center one day a week for theoretical and practical classes. The vocational theory and practical classes are taught by people in the field. Further on-the-job training is provided by the 31 concrete repair companies affiliated with OtBS. Both the basic training at Level 2 and the advanced training at Level 3 take 1.5 years. Some 80 concrete repair specialists have already graduated in the first three years.
In the certification regulation for concrete repair companies, to demonstrate the professional competence of concrete repairers, attending refresher training days is mandatory. Together with the Vakgroep gecertificeerde BetonReparatiebedrijven within Bouwend Nederland, OtSB has put together three refresher courses: recognizing and repairing structural concrete damage, effectively measuring the quality of your own work and injecting. The modules are free for member companies. They can train their employees under the guidance of their own concrete-
maintenance expert or hire an instructor through OtBS. For non-affiliated companies, OtBS can provide in-service training in company. Training courses are also held centrally around the country for which companies can enroll their employees.
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