Test and measurement laboratories

The Mechanical Testing laboratory of Apave Italia CPM in Bienno (BS), accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 certified, offers a wide range of services aimed at all companies in the manufacturing industry. Thanks to our expertise and the use of advanced technologies, we support companies in verifying the chemical, metallurgical and mechanical characteristics of their products, helping to guarantee quality, safety and regulatory compliance.

Our tests, accredited by Accredia (the Italian accreditation body), are based on strictly defined and internationally recognised methods. These analyses allow us to determine one or more fundamental characteristics of the product, offering valid support both for the improvement of production processes and for activities of evaluation of conformity to the required standards.

One of our main strengths is the presence of an in-house machine shop, equipped to produce any type of test specimen required for analysis. This infrastructure allows us to respond quickly to customer requests, guaranteeing timeliness in the preparation of samples and in the management of any unforeseen events during the tests.

Thanks to our many years of experience and a team of specialised technicians, our laboratory is able to offer customised solutions to meet the specific needs of each customer. Our goal is to provide accurate and reliable results, becoming a strategic partner for companies that aim for excellence in production and compliance with the highest quality standards.

Certificate of accreditation :

Certificate QS international (italian version)

Accredia certificate (italian version)

List of accredited tests (italian version)

General conditions of laboratory supply (italian version)

In the construction industry, the quality of the materials used is of fundamental importance: our laboratories are the ideal partner for clients, designers, works managers and inspectors, offering a wide range of tests that are always up to date and in compliance with current regulations, the most recent procedures and technologically advanced equipment.

Our expertise is certified by numerous ministerial authorisations, confirming the high quality standard of our services:

• Laboratory in Bienno (BS): authorised by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) to carry out tests on construction materials and to issue the relevant certificates in accordance with Law No. 1086/71, which regulates works in reinforced, normal and prestressed concrete, as well as metal structures.
• Laboratorio di Lenta (VC): in addition to being authorised by the MIT in accordance with law no. 1086/71, it is also recognised on the basis of Circ. 7617/2010/STC for sectors A and B. This includes tests on hydraulic binders, concrete, aggregates, bricks for masonry and floors, steel, wood and fibre-reinforced composite materials. The authorisation also extends to tests on connecting elements, such as nails and bolts, to determine their mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics.
• Laboratory of Saint-Vincent (AO): authorised by the MIT in accordance with Law No. 1086/71 and Circ. 7617/2010/STC for sector A, with specific expertise in testing construction materials.

Thanks to these certifications, our laboratories are able to guarantee reliable results that comply with regulations, supporting the construction sector in the verification and certification of materials, a crucial element for the safety and quality of constructions.

Our geotechnical laboratory is a point of reference for surveys and tests aimed at the geotechnical and geomechanical characterisation of soil and rock, essential for civil and environmental engineering works. We are committed to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of projects through the execution of certified tests in accordance with Circular 7618/STC (art. 59 DPR 380/01 - law 1086/71) - sectors A and B, with the extension to optional tests on rocks, in-situ density measurements and plate load tests.

Thanks to the use of cutting-edge technologies and the application of rigorous scientific methods, we carry out detailed analyses both in the laboratory and on site. These analyses contribute to sustainable design and optimal management of geological, geotechnical and environmental risk, ensuring solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and precision.

Our team of highly qualified and constantly updated experts is available to support professionals, designers and clients at every stage of the project. We offer comprehensive, reliable and timely results, making us the ideal partner to face technical and environmental challenges with confidence and effectiveness.

Test request (italian version)

Sample request (italian version)

The laboratory in Lenta (VC) specialises in carrying out the tests required by Circular no. 633 of 03/12/2019, which regulates the authorisation of laboratories for tests and inspections on building materials, in particular on existing structures and buildings. Our laboratory offers a wide range of tests, which are essential for assessing the safety and durability of existing structures.

• Tests on normal reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete and masonry structures (magnetometric test, sclerometric test, pull out and pull off tests, ultrasonic test, sampling and chemical and physical tests on site, flat jack, diagonal compression and shear tests, load tests and static field measurements) pull off’ tests, ultrasonic testing, sampling and on-site chemical and physical tests, testing with flat jacks, diagonal compression and shear, load tests and measurements in static fields, penetration tests, measurement of reinforcement corrosion potential, visual and endoscopic investigations, mechanical characterisation of masonry mortars, measurement of wood moisture content).
• Tests on metal structures and composite structures (magnetoscopic test, penetrating liquids, ultrasound, in situ hardness tests, in situ thickness measurement, measurement of tightening torques, sampling of bolts and metal structural work).

All tests are carried out by a team of highly qualified technicians, with Level 2 and 3 Certifications, in accordance with the UNI 11931 and UNI EN ISO 9712 standards, to guarantee maximum reliability and precision in the results.

This includes special investigations on complex structures, bridges and tunnels, such as:

• Tomography for defect detection, Georadar for checking the thickness and position of ordinary and prestressed reinforcement
• Measurement of deformities using strain gauges
• Resistograph for wood
• Doorstopper

Tecno Piemonte is a point of reference in the sector of testing anchors for land protection systems, which are divided into four large groups:

1. Rockfall barriers, designed to intercept and retain falling boulders.
2. Adherence nets, used to stabilise unstable slopes, preventing landslides and surface collapses.
3. Debris flow barriers, specifically designed to contain and manage debris flows and mud flows.
4. Avalanche protection works, as indicated by the UNI 11211-4 standard.

The Tecno Piemonte Road Paving Laboratory is equipped to conduct accurate studies and checks on the materials used in the construction of road superstructures, such as aggregates, bitumen, bituminous emulsions and bituminous conglomerates.

Thanks to the use of cutting-edge instrumentation, we fully comply with the requirements of the Special Tender Specifications, carrying out both laboratory tests on materials and on-site tests on pavements.

Furthermore, the laboratory specialises in testing granulated asphalt, natural, industrial and recycled aggregates, operating in accordance with harmonised EC standards and the most recent adaptations relating to the End of Waste regulation.
With an innovative and sustainability-oriented approach, Tecno Piemonte supports designers, builders and public bodies in guaranteeing the quality and durability of road infrastructures, contributing to the realisation of safe, efficient works that comply with regulatory standards.

Our specialised laboratories offer chemical and microbiological analyses on environmental and agri-food matrices, guaranteeing accurate and reliable results, in full compliance with current regulations.
In particular, the Lenta (VC) laboratory is accredited by Accredia (the Italian accreditation body) according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, a recognition that attests to our competence in providing high quality services.

Thanks to the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the collaboration with a team of highly qualified professionals, we support companies and public bodies in quality control, environmental protection and health protection activities, responding to the specific needs of each sector.

Our services also include sampling and analysis of waste water, swimming pool water and groundwater, as well as the control of atmospheric emissions and parameters in work environments, such as, for example, analyses to determine the ammonia content (ammonium ion N-NH4 or NH4) in a waste water sample (pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 152 of 3/04/2006, table 3, attachment 5, part III) or intended for human consumption (in accordance with legislative decree no. 31 of 2/02/2001). Our experts also carry out phonometric and vibration surveys, as well as monitoring for radon dosimetry.
In the agri-food sector, we carry out sampling and chemical and microbiological analyses of water intended for human consumption, food and surfaces, with particular attention to the search for contaminants, in accordance with HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) requirements. We also carry out migration and compliance tests for materials intended to come into contact with drinking water and food (FCMOs - Food Contact Materials and Articles).

In the environmental sector, the Lenta (VC) laboratory is specialised in the sampling and analysis of excavated soil, waste, recycled aggregates, asbestos and man-made vitreous fibres, and is qualified by the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the laboratory is authorised by the Piedmont Region to carry out self-monitoring analyses for food companies, supporting compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
In the construction sector, Tecno Piemonte offers chemical testing on building materials, including cements, additives, aggregates, metals, polymers and clays, in order to verify their composition and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

With a comprehensive and integrated approach, our laboratories are the ideal partner for companies and institutions that want to guarantee the quality, safety and sustainability of their operations.

General laboratory supply conditions

Il nostro laboratorio specializzato in prove elettriche e test sui giocattoli, situato nella sede di Bienno (BS), esegue una serie di test approfonditi per garantire che i prodotti non solo rispettino gli standard di sicurezza previsti dagli standard armonizzati nazionali e internazionali, ma siano anche affidabili e adatti all'uso quotidiano, proteggendo la salute e il benessere degli utenti.
Questi test eseguiti sui giocattoli coprono una vasta gamma di requisiti, da quelli meccanico-fisici, di infiammabilità, chimici, elettrici e di igiene assicurando che i prodotti siano sicuri, duraturi e idonei all'uso, riducendo al minimo i rischi per gli utenti e garantendo prodotti di alta qualità conformi alle normative di sicurezza più rigorose.

Tra le principali prove di sicurezza elettrica eseguite nel nostro laboratorio, troviamo:

• Misura della corrente di contatto e del conduttore di protezione
• Misura dei consumi in stand-by
• Misura della resistenza di isolamento
• Rigidità dielettrica
• Misura della resistenza del conduttore di protezione
• Misura delle temperature dei componenti
• Prova di sovraccarico e cortocircuito dei componenti
• Tempo di scarica dei condensatori
• Continuità elettrica delle masse
• Verifiche di protezione contro l'accesso a parti in tensione
• Prove di usi anormali (ad esempio, sovralimentazione, sottoalimentazione)
• Test sui guasti nei circuiti elettronici
• Costruzione e resistenza meccanica dei componenti
• Verifica delle distanze di sicurezza tra circuiti, isolamenti e componenti.

Our ceramics laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge instruments to guarantee an in-depth and precise analysis of the quality of the raw materials, ensuring their correct use in the formulations required by ceramic production.

Among our main activities, we perform mineralogical analyses using an X-ray diffractometer, an indispensable tool for identifying and quantifying the crystalline phases present in the materials. 
In addition, we perform chemical analyses using an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, which allows us to determine the chemical composition of the elements, integrating the measurement of loss on ignition at 1050 °C for a complete evaluation of the raw material.

Thanks to these technologies and our experience, we support ceramic manufacturers in optimising formulations, ensuring quality, performance and compliance with the technical requirements of the sector.

In our Geosynthetics laboratory we carry out physical, mechanical and hydraulic tests, as well as chemical resistance and durability tests, all in accordance with current national and international standards, to guarantee high standards of quality and reliability.

Geosynthetics are innovative materials, designed to respond to complex challenges in critical sectors such as landfills, tunnels, geotechnical works and environmental interventions. Thanks to their characteristics, these materials perform fundamental functions such as separation, filtration, reinforcement, barrier and containment.

We carry out physical and mechanical tests to evaluate properties such as strength, elasticity and deformation; hydraulic tests to measure drainage and filtration capacity; chemical resistance tests to verify stability in difficult environmental conditions; and durability studies to determine longevity and behaviour over time.

Thanks to our technical expertise and continuous innovation, we collaborate with companies, public bodies and designers, providing support in the choice of the most suitable materials. Our mission is to contribute to building more efficient, safe and sustainable infrastructures, respecting the needs of the customer and the environment.