Overview of the Materials
Testing Systems
The Materials Testing Department is housed in RESPEC’s corporate headquarters
located in Rapid City, South Dakota. More than one-third of the
30,000-square-foot headquarters building has been designed especially for rock
testing, sample handling, and storage. Three laboratories comprise the
department and are supported by separate shop facilities for sample preparation
and storage, calibration, and records archival. The three laboratories include
test systems and instrumentation for:
A controlled environment within each laboratory helps ensure the accuracy
of the acquired data and provides safety and security from accidental or
deliberate disruption of testing services. The laboratory facilities are
earth-sheltered to maintain constant temperatures of 20°C +/- 1°C. Auxiliary
electrical power is supplied by a 250-kW diesel generator capable of meeting
the electrical demands for the entire facility, including each laboratory. Fire
protection is provided by an alarm system that monitors the entire facility and
a fire-resistant vault with an automatic fire suppression system that
contains quality assurance records from testing programs. Security is provided
by electronic sensors located throughout the facility and professional security
personnel who monitor the sensors continuously from a remote location and
perform regular on-site surveillances.
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