Suggested information for inclusion in approval trial agreement

Before starting an approval trial, the following information should be considered by both parties for inclusion in the approval trial agreement.

General information

Parties to trial – names of undertaker and authority agreeing to approval trial
Confidentiality – parties (if any) to whom trial information may be divulged
Geographical extent of trial – county or district border, utility region or area boundary
Scope of trial – total number of trial reinstatements or maximum number of sites
Time limit for trial – start/end dates
Termination criteria – conditions under which agreement may be ended and notice of termination
Signatories/witnesses – approved officers of appropriate seniority who are permitted to commit their organisation to the execution of the approval trial and who can approve the terms and conditions of the trial
Record of sites where the ARM or AT has been used and dates of installation

Contemporary records – details of records required, responsibility for record-keeping
Notification details – notice periods, arrangements for contacting relevant parties to an approval trial
Attendance at trials – parties who may attend an approval trial
Review periods/meetings – dates, participants, procedures for calling ad hoc meetings
Post-construction assessment – test methods to be employed and arrangements for periodic surveying, sampling, etc

Type of trial site – routine utility excavations or specially excavated approval trial
Location of trial site – non-high-amenity or non-high-duty footway, cycle track, (including road classification Type 2 to 4) etc
Positioning of trial site – “as excavated”, within wheel track, etc
ARMs or ATs to be trialled – generic SMR or SMF materials
ARM or AT details – Mix design, binder details, additives, dependencies on site conditions or excavated/base material type and condition, details of prior development work
ARM or AT preparation – batching, mixing and placement procedures.
Quality control on site – any tests to be applied to ensure that an ARM has been prepared to the required design
Compaction regime – NFSMRs and SMRs only
Sampling requirements – types of samples and sampling frequency
Testing laboratories – contact details of accredited laboratories or otherwise
Remedial measures for “failed” sites – replacement with an alternative SMR or SMF material or other approved material or remove from the approval trial agreement
Future of trial sites – remove after trial completion or leave in place, future monitoring or testing
Any specific assessment management or maintenance requirements.
Confirmation of compliance with all SROH performance requirements; linked to inspection and defects