What should you do if a customer requests approval of a different water-cement ratio than on the ticket at the site?

What should you do if a customer requests approval of a different water-cement ratio than on the ticket at the site?

• A. Approve the change immediately at the site.
• B. Do not approve; follow contract procedures to modify the ticket and obtain plant approval before placement.
• C. Ask the customer to sign a new contract for approval.
• D. Proceed with placement and document after.

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is maintaining control of the concrete mix through proper change procedures. A different water-cement ratio changes the mix design in ways that affect strength, workability, and durability, so any change must go through formal change control—not decided or approved at the job site alone. If a customer requests a different ratio, do not approve it on the spot. Instead, initiate the contract-required process to modify the ticket and obtain the plant’s approval before any placement. This ensures the batch plant can produce the revised mix correctly and that the change is documented for quality and traceability. Choosing to approve immediately, or proceed and document later, bypasses quality controls and contract requirements. Asking for a new contract could be unnecessary and slow, and placing without approval risks nonconformance and potential disputes. Following the proper procedures keeps the project compliant and maintains consistent performance of the concrete.

The key idea here is maintaining control of the concrete mix through proper change procedures. A different water-cement ratio changes the mix design in ways that affect strength, workability, and durability, so any change must go through formal change control—not decided or approved at the job site alone. If a customer requests a different ratio, do not approve it on the spot. Instead, initiate the contract-required process to modify the ticket and obtain the plant’s approval before any placement. This ensures the batch plant can produce the revised mix correctly and that the change is documented for quality and traceability.

Choosing to approve immediately, or proceed and document later, bypasses quality controls and contract requirements. Asking for a new contract could be unnecessary and slow, and placing without approval risks nonconformance and potential disputes. Following the proper procedures keeps the project compliant and maintains consistent performance of the concrete.