Ready-mix discharge limit

Definition

The clock that starts when water meets cement and ends when the truck must be empty.

Why It Matters

Concrete is the only major construction material with a hard expiry between the plant and the form, which makes haul distance, plant relationships and pour scheduling a margin question and not a logistics one. The federal guide specification requires mixing to begin within thirty minutes of the cement meeting the aggregates and placement within ninety, with anything longer needing air, slump and temperature retested. Duplicate delivery tickets ride with every load, and excessive time between mixing and placement is a named indicator of non-conforming material.