5.1.1 Once a material has been selected, after
testing as outlined in section 4 of this appendix, a detailed quality
assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programme should be applied to ensure
the continued conformity of the material during installation and service.
This programme should consider the material starting from the manufacturer's
quality manual (QM) and then follow it throughout the construction
of the cargo system.
5.1.2 The QA/QC programme should include the procedure
for fabrication, storage, handling and preventive actions to guard
against exposure of a material to harmful effects. These may include,
for example, the effect of sunlight on some insulation materials or
the contamination of material surfaces by contact with personal products
such as hand creams. The sampling methods and the frequency of testing
in the QA/QC programme should be specified to ensure the continued
conformity of the material selected throughout its production and
installation.
5.1.3 Where powder or granulated insulation is
produced, arrangements should be made to prevent compacting of the
material due to vibrations.
5.2
QA/QC during component manufacture
The QA/QC programme in respect of component manufacture
should include, as a minimum but not limited to, the following items.
5.2.1 Component identification
5.2.1.1 For each material, the manufacturer should
implement a marking system to clearly identify the production batch.
The marking system should not interfere, in any way, with the properties
of the product.
5.2.1.2 The marking system should ensure complete
traceability of the component and should include:
.1 date of production and potential expiry date;
.2 manufacturer's references;
.3 reference specification;
.5 when necessary, any potential environmental
parameters to be maintained during transportation and storage.
5.2.2 Production sampling and audit method
5.2.2.1 Regular sampling is required during production
to ensure the quality level and continued conformity of a selected
material.
5.2.2.2 The frequency, the method and the tests
to be performed should be defined in QA/QC programme; for example,
these tests will usually cover, inter alia, raw materials, process
parameters and component checks.
5.2.2.3 Process parameters and results of the
production QC tests should be in strict accordance with those detailed
in the QM for the material selected.
5.2.2.4 The objective of the audit method as described
in the QM is to control the repeatability of the process and the efficacy
of the QA/QC programme.
5.2.2.5 During auditing, auditors should be provided
with free access to all production and QC areas. Audit results should
be in accordance with the values and tolerances as stated in the relevant
QM.