Qualifications & Capabilities

We at Briggs Engineering & Testing are regularly audited and/or certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Cement and Concrete Laboratory (CCRL), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US Army Corps of Engineers, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the New England Transportation Technician Certification Program (NETTCP). We are also licensed or pre-qualified by all applicable state agencies such as the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). Our State Certified Materials Laboratory and testing equipment is current and state of the art.

Our 10,000 square foot laboratory located in Rockland, MA is fully equipped for testing the physical properties of soils, aggregates, concrete, structural steel, fireproofing, masonry and bituminous concrete in addition to numerous other materials. Additionally, we have a 3000 cubic foot constant mist curing room and a 1800 cubic foot x-ray vault. Our Cumberland, RI facility consists of a 4000 square foot laboratory which is also fully equipped to perform the analysis of soils, aggregates, concrete, masonry and bituminous concrete.

A sampling of our state of the art laboratory equipment inventory includes a 1 million pound compression machine which will accept specimens up to 6 foot long and a 400 thousand pound tensile machine capable of accepting specimens up to 2'-6" in length. Our smaller equipment list includes 4 concrete compression machines,12 nuclear moisture/density gauges, numerous sieve shakers, concrete coring rigs, digital scales, ovens and other environment chambers as well as soil and asphalt compaction equipment.

We not only have comprehensive programs for the Quality Control Inspection and Testing of construction related materials, we also possess the in-house capability to perform Geotechnical Investigations, Site Engineering, Seismic & Noise Monitoring, Building Envelope Condition Surveys w/ Remedial Design, Forensic Investigations, Leak Investigations, Quality Assurance Plant Inspections, Product Certifications as well as Highway & Bridge Condition Investigations.

Our Existing Building Services Dept. specializes in the detection and correction of moisture related problems in existing buildings, with particular emphasis on the "Building Envelope." The technical services provided by Briggs' engineers encompass all aspects of roof and exterior wall related diagnostic and design services, including the design and specification preparation of replacement roof systems specifically matched to the existing characteristics of the building, the analysis of existing wall materials for strength and composition, and the design of replacement exterior wall components including windows & curtain walls, through wall flashings, expansion joints and sealant to preserve the structural integrity and waterproof characteristics of the building envelope.

Perhaps the most critical stage in the correction of "Building Envelope" problems is the relevance and accuracy of the initial investigation. Briggs unique in-house diagnostic capabilities utilize the following analytical equipment and methods (a) Infrared Scanning/Thermal Imaging, (b) Nuclear Densometer Moisture Detection, (c) Roof test cut extraction and laboratory analysis, (d) Masonry wall system sampling and laboratory analysis, (e) Concrete cutting, compressive strength and laboratory analysis, (f) Air and Water Infiltration testing of windows and wall systems (ASTM E783 & E1105), and (g) Structural Load Testing of building components.

Over the years, Briggs has received considerable recognition for its organizational and management systems and performance. Briggs is a member in good standing of the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Members of Briggs' management staff currently serve on the Massachusetts Construction Industry Board (MCIB) which is the state's governing body over Concrete Inspector licensing.

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