QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE
"To enhance the integrity of structural system, by improving the standard of care in construction documents, Material control, workmanship and Inspection practices".

DEFINITIONS
DPR:  ENGINEER OF RECORD / DESIGN PROFESSIONAL OF RECORD. 

SPECIAL INSPECTOR:  A QUALIFIED PERSON, APPROVED BY THE DPR WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE DPR FOR INSPECTION OF THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATION REQUIRING SPECIAL INSPECTION.  DUTIES INCLUDE VISUAL INSPECTIONS AND FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF MATERIALS, OBTAINING SPECIMENS FOR TESTING AND RELATED ACTIONS INCLUDING PREPARATION OF REPORTS.  (REF 1701.2 & 1701.3) 

TESTING LABORATORY:  A QUALIFIED MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY UNDER THE RESPONSIBLE CHARGE OF A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, APPROVED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE DPR, TO MEASURE, EXAMINE, TEST, CALIBRATE OR OTHERWISE DETERMINE THE CHARACTERISTICS OR PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND VERIFY CONFIRMATION WITH CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. 

CONTINUOUS INSPECTION: INSPECTION BY THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR CONTINUOUSLY OBSERVING ALL WORK REQUIRING SPECIAL INSPECTION.  (REF 1701.6.1). 

PERIODIC SPECIAL INSPECTION:  INTERMITTENT INSPECTION PERFORMED AS OUTLINED IN THE PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND APPROVED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL (REF 1701.6.2). 

STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION:  VISUAL OBSERVATION OF THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM, BY THE DPR OR DESIGNEE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ELEMENTS AND CONNECTIONS, FOR GENERAL CONFORMANCE TO THE APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AT SIGNIFICANT CONSTRUCTION STAGES AND AT COMPLETION OF THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM.  STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION DOES NOT INCLUDE OR WAIVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SPECIAL AND MUNICIPAL INSPECTIONS REQUIRED BY CODES AND SPECIFICATIONS.  (REF 220 & 1702). 

APPROVED FABRICATOR:  A FABRICATOR QUALIFIED BY AN ACCREDITED BODY APPROVED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND DPR, TO PERFORM WORK OFF SITE, WITHOUT SPECIAL INSPECTION.  (REF 1701.7).

1.0              GENERAL INFORMATION 

THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL OF RECORD (DPR) SHALL SUBMIT AN INSPECTION PROGRAM TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL FOR APPROVAL PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF THE BUILDING PERMIT.  THE PROGRAM SHALL IDENTIFY THE PORTION OF THE WORK THAT REQUIRES SPECIAL INSPECTION / STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION AND DESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR AND THE STRUCTURAL OBSERVER (REF 106.3.5). 

1.02   THE OWNER OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL EMPLOY THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR OR INSPECTION AGENCY
        TO PERFORM  INSPECTIONS SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION. (REF 1701.1). 

1.03  THE OWNER OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL EMPLOY THE MATERIAL TESTING LABORATORY TO PERFORM TESTS
        SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION. 

1.04  ACCREDITATION TO ASTM E-329-2000, (OR LATER VERSION) STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR AGENCIES
        ENGAGED IN THE INSPECTION AND THE TESTING OF MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION, IS PREFERRED. 

       THE OWNER OR ITS DESIGNEE SHALL EMPLOY THE DESIGN PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRUCTURAL
       DESIGN OR ANOTHER ENGINEER OR ARCHITECT DESIGNATED BY THE DPR TO PERFORM STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION.
       (REF  1702).

HIGH STRENGTH BOLTING 

HIGH STRENGTH BOLTING SHALL BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE “SPECIFICATIONS FOR STRUCTURAL JOINTS USING ASTM A325 OR A490 BOLTS” AS APPROVED BY THE RESEARCH COUNCIL ON STRUCTURAL CONNECTIONS OF THE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ON THE APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. 

A.  WHILE THE WORK IS IN PROGRESS, THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR SHALL DETERMINE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF 3.9.1 FOR BOLTS, NUTS, WASHERS AND PAINT; BOLTED PARTS, INSTALLATION AND TIGHTENING STANDARDS ARE MET.

B.  THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR SHALL OBSERVE THE CALIBRATION PROCEDURES WHEN SUCH PROCEDURES ARE REQUIRED BY THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND SHALL MONITOR THE INSTALLATION OF BOLTS TO DETERMINE THAT ALL PLIES OF CONNECTED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN DRAWN TOGETHER AND THAT THE SELECTED PROCEDURE IS PROPERLY USED TO TIGHTEN ALL BOLTS.

C.  FOR ALL BOLTED CONNECTIONS THAT ARE SPECIFIED TO BE SLIP CRITICAL OR SUBJECT TO AXIAL TENSION, THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR SHALL VERIFY THAT THE SPECIFIED PROCEDURES WERE FOLLOWED TO ACHIEVE THE PRETENSION SPECIFIED.

D.  BOLTS IN CONNECTION, IDENTIFIED AS NOT BEING SLIP-CRITICAL NOR SUBJECT TO DIRECT TENSION NEED NOT BE INSPECTED FOR BOLT TENSION OTHER THAN TO ENSURE THAT THE PLIES OF THE CONNECTED ELEMENTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT INTO SNUG CONTACT.

E.  PERIODIC INSPECTION FOR BOLTED CONNECTIONS MAY BE PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 1701.6.2 OF THE UBC, OR AS DEFINED ON 3.9.1. 

INSPECTION REPORTS 

THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR SHALL SUBMIT INSPECTION AND TESTING REPORTS TO THE DPR, THE BUILDING OFFICIAL, THE CONTRACTOR, THE OWNER AND OTHER DESIGNATED PERSONS AT A REASONABLE FREQUENCY, AS ESTABLISHED IN THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING.   

THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR SHALL SUBMIT A FINAL REPORT STATING WHETHER THE WORK REQUIRING SPECIAL INSPECTION WAS IN CONFORMANCE TO THE APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE. 

SPECIAL INSPECTION REPORTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

A. PROJECT ADDRESS.

B. PERMIT NUMBER AND GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAVING JURISDICTION.

C. NAME AND ADDRESS (PHONE AND E-MAIL) OF DPR.

D. OWNER’S AGENT RELEVANT TO THE WORK.

E. DATE OF INSPECTION AND HOURS WORKED.

F. DESCRIPTION OF INSPECTIONS PERFORMED, INCLUDING LOCATION (REFERENCE GRID LINES AND FLOORS OR
    ELEVATION).

G. STATEMENT THAT WORK INSPECTED CONFORMS TO APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

H.  LIST OF UNRESOLVED DEVIATIONS, EXCLUSIONS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO APPROVED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
    AUTHORIZED BY DPR.

I.  CORRECTIONS OF PREVIOUSLY LISTED ITEMS WITH REFERENCE TO ORIGINAL REPORT INDICATING REJECTION.

J.  LIST OF TEST SPECIMENS TAKEN; MILL CERTIFICATIONS RECEIVED; NOTICE OF COMPLIANCE OR NON-COMPLIANCE  
    ISSUED; CONCRETE MIX DESIGNS USED; WPS AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS; NAMES OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
    SUCH  AS WELDERS AND PNEUMATIC CONCRETE OPERATORS.

K. NAME, IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND SIGNATURE OF INSPECTOR PERFORMING THE SPECIAL INSPECTION.

L. CORRECTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
   ALL DISCREPANCIES SHALL BE BROUGHT TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE CONTRACTOR FOR CORRECTION, 
   THEN,  IF UNCORRECTED WITHIN 24 HOURS, TO THE DPR AND TO THE BUILDING OFFICIAL.

MATERIAL TESTING CRITERIA AND REPORT DEVELOPMENT 

THE NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF TAKING OF TEST SPECIMENS AND TESTING SHALL BE THE MINIMUM REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNING CODES, STANDARDS, OR AS SPECIFIED IN THE APPROVED PLANS, WHICHEVER IS MORE STRINGENT. 

LABORATORY TEST RESULTS AND/OR MILL (SUPPLIER) CERTIFICATIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CONTRACTOR, DPR AND THE BUILDING OFFICIAL TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 

A.      CONCRETE MIX DESIGNS.

B.      REINFORCING STEEL AND PRESTRESSING TENDONS.

C.     CONCRETE TEST SPECIMENS.

D.     STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBERS AND WELD MATERIALS.

E.     SHEAR CONNECTORS AND HIGH STRENGTH BOLTS.

F.     MASONRY UNITS.

G.     SPECIMENS OF MORTAR, GROUT AND PRISMS.

H.     SHOT CRETE SPECIMENS.

I.      WELD QUALIFICATION TESTS.

J.      NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING.

K.     TORQUE TESTS.

L.     PULL TESTS

QUALITY ASSURANCE 

·         GENERAL INFORMATION 

·         DEFINITIONS 

·         STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION 

·         SPECIAL INSPECTION AND MATERIAL TESTING 

·         INSPECTION REPORTS 

·         MATERIAL TESTING CRITERIA AND REPORT DEVELOPMENT 

·         REINFORCED CONCRETE 

·         STRUCTURAL MASONRY 

·         STRUCTURAL STEEL WELDING 

·         HIGH STRENGTH BOLTING 

.         SUMMARY OF INSPECTION / OBSERVATION REQUIREMENTS

REINFORCED CONCRETE 

CONTINUOUS INSPECTION IS REQUIRED: 

A.      DURING THE PLACEMENT OF REINFORCEMENT AND CONCRETE IN MOMENT-FRAMES RESISTING DESIGN SEISMIC
         LOAD IN STRUCTURES WITHIN SEISMIC ZONES 3 & 4.  (EXCEPTIONS SECTION 1701.5.1 AND 1701.5.4 OF THE
         CODE.)

B.     DURING THE MOULDING OR CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE CYLINDERS, BEAMS, CORES OR PANELS.

C.     DURING PLACEMENT OF REINFORCING STEEL AND CONCRETE FOR DRILLED PILES OR CAISSONS.

D.     DURING THE STRESSING AND GROUTING OF TENDONS IN PRESTRESSED CONCRETE PER DESIGNATED SEQUENCE.

E.     PRIOR TO AND DURING THE PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE AROUND ANCHOR BOLTS WHEN APPLICABLE, PER SECTION
       1923 OF THE UBC, AND TABLE 19-D NOTE 5.

F.      PRIOR TO AND DURING THE INSTALLATION OF ADHESIVE / GROUTED ANCHORS.

G.     DURING THE PLACEMENT OF SHOTCRETE AND TAKING OF TEST SPECIMENS AS REQUIRED BY SECTIONS 1701.5.12,
       1924.10 AND 1924.11. 

PERIODIC INSPECTION IS REQUIRED: 

A.     AT THE START AND DURING EACH PHASE OF THE PROJECT TO ASCERTAIN PROPOSED CONFORMITY
        OF MATERIALS, PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AS REQUIRED, AND PROCEDURES WITH THE APPLICABLE
        CODES, PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

B.     REINFORCEMENT AND TENDON PROFILE VERIFICATION PRIOR TO CLOSING OF FORMS OR THE DELIVERY OF
        CONCRETE TO THE JOBSITE.

C.     DURING THE PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE (ONLY WHERE PERMITTED BY CODE)

D.    AT SUCH FREQUENCY AS NECESSARY TO CLEARLY CONFIRM THE PLACEMENT OF TIES, HOOPS, STIRRUPS,
       CONNECTIONS, AND ANY ADDITIONAL SPECIFIED REINFORCEMENT (I.E. AT OPENINGS, BEAMS,
       CORNERS, COLUMNS, PIERS AND CAISSONS) BEFORE THEY ARE COVERED.

E.    DURING SAMPLING OF CONCRETE AT DISCHARGE FROM MIXER.

F.    FOR VERIFICATION OF DELIVERED MIX DESIGN BEFORE ANY CONCRETE IS PLACED.

SPECIAL INSPECTION AND MATERIAL TESTING 

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE 

THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR AND/OR TESTING LABORATORY WITH A CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE AND SAFE ACCESS FOR PERFORMING INSPECTION / ON-SITE TESTING. 

THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR 

THE FOLLOWING SHALL PROVIDE THE SPECIAL INSPECTION DUTIES: 

 ALTERNATE INSPECTORS OR FIRMS ARE ALLOWED, WITH PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE DPR.

 MATERIAL TESTING

 MATERIAL TESTING SHALL BE PERFORMED BY A TESTING LABORATORY, APPROVED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE
 DPR. 

 ALTERNATE TESTING LABORATORIES ARE ALLOWED, WITH PRIOR, WRITTEN APPROVAL BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND
 DPR.

STRUCTURAL MASONRY 

CONTINUOUS INSPECTION AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 1701.5.7: 

A.      DURING PREPARATION AND TAKING OF PRISMS OR TEST SPECIMENS.

B.     DURING PLACEMENT OF ALL MASONRY UNITS AND REINFORCEMENT.

C.     VERIFICATION OF CLEAR GROUT SPACES AND IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO CLOSING CLEANOUTS.

D.     DURING ALL GROUTING OPERATIONS. 

PERIODIC INSPECTION IS REQUIRED: 

A.    AT THE START AND DURING EACH PHASE OF THE PROJECT TO CONFIRM MATERIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND TESTING
       REQUIREMENTS, PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS AS REQUIRED, AND PROCEDURES WITH THE APPLICABLE CODES,
       PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.

B.    AT SUCH FREQUENCY AS NECESSARY, TO VERIFY THAT THE CLEANLINESS, MORTAR PROJECTIONS AND
       REINFORCEMENT CLEARANCES WITHIN GROUT SPACES, CONFORM TO MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

C.    TO VERIFY THAT THE GROUT POURS AND CONSTRUCTION JOINTS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 2104.6.1 OF
       THE UBC.

D.    CHECK TO VERIFY THAT ALL DOWELS, ANCHOR BOLTS AND INSERTS ARE SECURED IN PLACE.  

STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION 

THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE DPR 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF REQUIRED
OBSERVATION (S) FOR SCHEDULING PURPOSES.  FAILURE BY THE CONTRACTOR TO MEET OBSERVATION SCHEDULES MAY REQUIRE REMOVAL OF ANY SUBSEQUENT WORK FOR OBSERVATION.  REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF ANY FINISHED WORK AND/OR FRAMING DAMAGED BY THE REMOVAL PROCESS OR AS REQUIRED FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION SHALL BE AT THE CONTRACTOR’S EXPENSE.  APPROVAL BY THE MUNICIPAL INSPECTOR DOES NOT REPLACE OBSERVATION BY THE DPR.  APPROVAL BY THE DPR DOES NOT REPLACE THE INSPECTION PROCESS BY THE MUNICIPAL INSPECTOR AND ANY OTHER INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS. 

A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING SHALL BE HELD TO REVIEW THE SCHEDULE AND DETAILS OF THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM TO BE OBSERVED, TO VERIFY THE CONTRACTOR’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, TESTS AND INSPECTIONS AND REVIEW CRITICAL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS.  THE MEETING SHALL INCLUDE THE DPR AND THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION, THE CONTRACTOR, SPECIAL INSPECTOR, AND SUBCONTRACTORS. 

THE STRUCTURAL OBSERVER SHALL, AS A MINIMUM, PERFORM STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE FOLLOWING STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION:

A.     CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL:  AFTER EXCAVATION OR FORMING AND PLACEMENT OF REINFORCING
        STEEL, PRIOR TO CONCRETE PLACEMENT AND CLOSING OF FORMS.

B.     STEEL FRAMING:  AFTER STEEL ERECTION, PRIOR TO DECKING AND PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE OR FIREPROOFING.

C.     UPON COMPLETION OF SHEAR WALL (S) AND/OR THE ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

D.     BEFORE INSTALLATION OF FINISH MATERIA