Keeping the Netherlands safe

Mapping the condition and possible safety risks of structures in the infrastructure sector and the (rail) road network is a daily activity for A-Quin. The nationwide inspection and consultancy company helps keep the Netherlands safe with a wide variety of technical inspections and expert advice: from asset management to structural safety.

Inspections are an important tool in keeping our country's roads and structures safe. "Performing inspections, such as a NEN 2767 or NEN 3140, provides a good picture of the condition of the roads and objects," says Mans Damen, director of A-Quin. "An overview is nice, but of course it becomes really valuable if it also provides insight. Based on our findings, we formulate a maintenance recommendation, for example, so that maintenance work can be carried out cost-effectively that benefits the lifespan. We also do the same for pumping stations, aqueducts, locks and other important links in water management, as well as for points, underlying and load-bearing structures and, for example, inspections for liquid impermeability of floors at tank farms and marshalling yards in the railroad network."

Inspections ensure that not only the current condition of assets is identified, but also what the risks are.

Conservation advice

The impact of poorly performing assets and structures is often substantial, whether in terms of function or safety. "Our inspections ensure that not only the current condition of assets is mapped out, but also what the risks are. Now and in the longer term," states Damen. "The complexity of objects or artworks can lead us to provide customized inspections if necessary. With targeted technical inspections, we can also assess the functioning of objects and structures or perform a damage survey." In cooperation with Arcadis, for example, A-Quin is currently subjecting a large number of structures in the Netherlands to an inspection and making conservation recommendations to the Department of Public Works. "In doing so, we chart the current condition as well as the risks and advise when maintenance should take place and what it will cost. For Gebr. Van der Lee we are the independent party that carries out the annual inspections of engineering structures, in accordance with the performance contract with Rijkswaterstaat. And so we are active throughout the country. We are also represented on committees that determine the design or adjustment of various NEN guidelines. All with the aim of keeping the Netherlands safe."    

A-Quin BV

Industrieweg 43, 3361 HJ Sliedrecht

T +31 184 41 07 12

E info@a-quin.nl

www.a-quin.nl