News & Events

The public quarterly meeting of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Quarterly Meeting Agenda 02/16/12 (PDF - 267 KB) | (RTF - 201 KB)

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Inspection & Testing Committee Meeting Agenda 02/09/12 (PDF - 193 KB) | (RTF - 188 KB)

To aid stakeholders in understanding the process for selecting and submitting projects to DSA under the Seismic Mitigation Program, DSA has made a list of frequently asked questions and their answers (FAQs) available on its website. These Seismic Mitigation Program FAQs (PDF - 50 KB) can be found in the Seismic Mitigation Program section of the Publications page of DSA's website.

DSA's Interpretation of Regulations (IR) Manual has been updated. Several IRs have been updated:

• IR A-10 – 2012 construction cost index figures.
• IR 16-3 – Updated to include 2010 CBC geotechnical requirements.
• IR 16-5.01 – Formerly IR 16-5. No substantive changes.
• IR 16-5.07 – Formerly IR 16-10. No substantive changes.

Also, form DSA-130 (PDF - 112 KB) has been updated to clarify the form is to be used for bleachers 20’ or less in height.

The Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Program has set new exam dates. For examination and registration details please visit www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/programCert/casp.aspx.

The DSA Fire and Life Safety unit has issued Bulletin BU 11-08 (PDF - 53 KB), which clarifies the process and responsibilities associated with any request to change maximum occupant loads in assembly occupancies for buildings under its jurisdiction.

DSA has made several minor changes to form DSA-1: Application for Approval of Plans and Specifications (PDF - 1.19 MB), and to the Instructions (DSA-1.INSTR (PDF 329 KB)), in order to coordinate with revised documents and clarify the priority for submittal of Geological Hazard reports to the California Geological Survey (CGS).

DSA IR 16-8: Solar Photovoltaic and Thermal Systems Acceptance Requirements (PDF - 382 KB) has been revised to provide more detailed guidance on design and submittal requirements for solar energy systems.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Friday, December 9th, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Inspection & Testing Committee Meeting Agenda 12/09/11 (PDF - 237 KB) | (RTF - 186 KB)

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Outreach & Communication Committee will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Outreach & Communication Committee Meeting Agenda 11/17/11 (PDF - 62 KB) | (RTF - 203 KB)

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting, as well as an accompanying document on 2010 ADA Standards and the California Building Code (agenda item #3), are available for download.

Access Committee Meeting Agenda November 10, 2011 (PDF - 58 KB) | (RTF - 199 KB)

2010 ADA Design Standards and the California Building Code (PDF - 48 KB) | (RTF - 86 KB)

DSA BU 09-09: Impact of the 2008 California Energy Code (PDF - 37 KB) has been revised, extending the acceptance of existing PC designs until December 31, 2011. This coordinates with the latest version of BU 11-01 (PDF - 230 KB).

DSA's Rehabilitation of Nonconforming Buildings for Public School & California Community College Use (PDF - 222 KB) publication has been changed to remove the Pre-Application form (DSA-1.REH (PDF - 89 KB)), which is now being provided as a stand-alone form on the DSA Forms page. This is also the form to be used for projects submitted for funding through the Seismic Mitigation Program (SMP) (see Procedure 08-03 (PDF - 465 KB)).

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Green Committee will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Green Committee Meeting Agenda 10/27/11 (PDF - 48 KB) | (RTF - 218 KB)

Several DSA Interpretation of Regulations (IR) have been revised, updated, and corrected. IRs can be viewed in the IR Manual (PDF 6.50 MB), or individually. Significant revisions are:

• IR A-4 (PDF - 47 KB) - Geologic Hazards Report Requirements - Revisions to clarify applicability and procedure.
• IR 16-1 (PDF - 86 KB) - Design and Construction Requirements for Relocatable Buildings - Addition of information on Elevator Towers, clarification of alterations and Green Code compliance.
• IR 17-3 (PDF - 42 KB) - Structural Welding Inspections 2007 and 2010 CBC - Clarification of markings and standardized language regarding failure to perform.
• IR 17-3.01 (PDF - 33 KB) - Structural Welding Inspection 2001 CBC - Same as above.
• IR 23-6 (PDF - 42 KB) - Wood Structural Panel Acceptance - Plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 2007 and 2010 CBC - Changed name and scope of IR.
• IR 23-6.01 (PDF - 50 KB) - Wood Structural Panel Acceptance - Oriented Strand Board (OSB) 2001 CBC - Supersedes and replaces IR 23-11.

The Certified Access Specialist (CASp) program is conducting an examination on December 13, 2011. For more details visit http://www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/programCert/casp.aspx.

The DSA Advisory Board will hold their Annual Meeting on Friday, October 21, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Annual Meeting Agenda 10/21/11 (PDF - 55 KB) | (RTF - 219 kb)

The DSA Fire and Life Safety unit has updated DSA Bulletin 11-05 (PDF - 69 KB) regarding AB 211, to clarify its requirements.

Due to the retirement of Shaf Ullah, Regional Manager, DSA Los Angeles Office, the following changes will take place until further notice.

Craig Rush, Principal Structural Engineer at DSA, will be assuming the interim role of acting regional manager of the DSA Los Angeles Office starting Monday, September 19, 2011. He will remain in that position until a permanent regional manager is appointed. Doug Humphrey, Supervising Architect at DSA, will be assisting in the management of the LA Office during the same period of time. In general, Craig will be working in the LA Office Monday and Tuesday of each week and Doug will be working in the LA Office Thursday and Friday of each week. They will both be working in the DSA San Diego office on the days they are not in LA Office.

DSA looks forward to your continued support and cooperation during this transition.

Thank You.

DSA has finalized Procedure 08-03 for project approval in accordance with Seismic Mitigation Program regulatory amendments that took effect on September 8, 2011. Applications for DSA review are now being accepted utilizing the criteria outlined in Procedure 08-03 (PDF - 1.60 MB), Eligibility Evaluation Template (DOC - 356 KB) and form DSA-4 (PDF - 117).

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

Inspection & Testing Committee Meeting Agenda September 9, 2011 (PDF - 63 KB) | (RTF - 195 KB)

The DSA Access Compliance unit has issued Bulletin 11-07 (PDF - 57 KB) describing the applicability and effective dates of the Federal standards and the accessibility provisions of the California Building Code (CBC).

The Division of the State Architect (DSA) will hold a public meeting to discuss proposed procedures and project requirements relating to DSA review and approval of projects seeking funding for the Seismic Mitigation Program. The proposed changes are outlined in DSA Procedure 08-03 which corresponds to program regulations adopted by the State Allocation Board on June 22, 2011. The meeting will be held on August 25, 2011 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Division of the State Architect Headquarters, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. Additional participation options are described in the meeting agenda available for download:

Seismic Mitigation Program: DSA Review Meeting Agenda 08/25/11 (PDF - 610 KB)

DSA has issued revisions to seven Interpretations of Regulations (IRs) and has added two new IRs. Five are minor revisions (IR A-11 (PDF - 54 KB), IR A-14 (PDF - 34 KB), IR A-18 (PDF - 49 KB), IR 17-5 (PDF - 39 KB), and IR N-1 (PDF - 49 KB)) and one is an errata (IR A-10 (PDF - 29 KB)). One is a major revision (IR 16-1 (PDF - 90 KB)) and two are new (IR-A-26.cc (PDF - 48 KB) and IR 17-10 (PDF - 38 KB)). All IRs can be viewed individually and as part of DSA's IR Manual (PDF - 6.37 MB) on DSA's Interpretation of Regulations Manual page.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Green Committee will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Green Committee Meeting Agenda 08/11/11 (PDF - 41 KB) | (RTF - 2.99 MB)

DSA has issued revisions to PL 07-02: Over-The-Counter Review of Pre-Check Approved Designs (PDF - 167 KB), and to Procedure 07-01: Pre-Check (PC) Approval Process (PDF - 447 KB).

The Policy has been revised in its entirety, and the Procedure has been updated to reflect fire sprinkler requirements.

When an Access Only project is approved by DSA, a letter is sent to the client explaining that final actual construction costs must be reported to DSA when the project is complete. The letter includes the reporting form. In view of the amount of time that may elapse between approval and project completion, form DSA-104 (PDF - 84 KB) is now posted on line as a convenience.

DSA has issued a revision to Bulletin 11-01 (PDF - 245 KB) extending the deadline to December 31, 2011 for compliance of PC Designs to the 2010 California Building Code (CBC). Note that accessibility features compliance is not extended.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Outreach & Communication Committee will be held on Friday, August 12, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Outreach & Communication Committee Meeting Agenda 08/12/11 (PDF - 65 KB) | (RTF - 189 KB)

7/27/11: Bulletin Removed Pending Revision
The DSA Access Compliance unit has issued Bulletin 11-07 describing the applicability and effective dates of the Federal standards and the accessibility provisions of the California Building Code (CBC).

The State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB) is providing notice of the changes made to proposed regulations, Chapters 8-7 and 8-8, which were the subject of a public comment period that ended on October 8, 2010.

The State Historical Building Safety Board will accept written comments for at least 15 days between July 21, 2011, and August 4, 2011.

For additional information on the SHBSB changes to proposed regulations, see:

• 07/21/11: Notice of Modifications to Proposed Changes to the California Historical Building Code (PDF - 23 KB)
• 07/21/11: Revised Express Terms - 15-Day Modifications: California Historical Building Code (PDF - 75 KB)

The DSA Fire and Life Safety unit has issued Bulletin 11-06 (PDF - 46 KB) to inform design professionals and other interested parties of more up to date sources of information regarding FLS aspects of relocatable school buildings for California public schools. The documents listed in the Bulletin replace the publication "Fire Apparatus Access, Fire-Flow & Fire Hydrant Requirements for California's Relocatable School Buildings," which is out of date.

The California Department of Education (CDE), The Division of State Architect (DSA), and the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) are pleased to announce their second State Agencies’ Joint Workshop to be held on July 13, 2011 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Ziggurat Auditorium in West Sacramento. Topics of discussion were crafted based on feedback from participants of the first workshop.

• CDE: Site Approval
• DSA: High Performance Incentive Program: Updates on DSA Review Process
• OPSC: High Performance Incentive Program, Modernization Eligibility and Funding, Site Acquisition Funding

Please RSVP through the following link: http://www.applications.dgs.ca.gov/pd/cssibid/RegisterIntro.asp?EventID=292

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Committee will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSAAB Quarterly Meeting Agenda 07/21/11 (PDF - 60 KB) | (RTF - 21.6 MB)

DSA Guideline GL-1: AFSS Project Submittal Guideline (PDF - 100 KB) has been updated to include requirements for buildings reviewed Over-the-Counter (OTC).

A public meeting of the State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB) will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect headquarters, 1102 Q Street, Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95811. A public meeting notice and agenda are available for download

SHBSB Meeting Notice Agenda 07/14/11 (PDF - 37 KB)

The Division of the State Architect is soliciting for a Statement of Qualifications from qualified structural engineering firms interested in providing structural plan review services for the DSA Regional Offices.

To download the RFQ visit the California State Contracts Register at: http://www.bidsync.com/DPX?ac=powersearch&srchoid_override=307818 (Downloading the RFQ from the website above is a free service.)

Deadline to submit Statement of Qualifications: July 25, 2011 by 2:00 pm

For additional information please contact:
Erica Seghesio, DSA Contract Analyst
Phone: (916) 324-2733
e-mail: Erica.seghesio@dgs.ca.gov

IR A-26 (PDF - 45 KB) regarding K-12 Occupancy Classification and Load Factors has been returned to the IR Manual after removal for review and revision. The scope of the new version has been confined to K-12. Another version of this IR covering community colleges will be posted within the next few weeks.

DSA Fire and Life Safety unit has developed Bulletin BU 11-05 (PDF - 68 KB) to assist stakeholders in determining the impact of the new law on projects under its jurisdiction. AB 211 requires certain doors in public schools to be easily lockable from the inside without a key. The Bulletin provides guidance on scope of application. AB 211 takes effect on July 1.

06/16/11: The State Historical Building Safety Board Meeting scheduled for June 22, 2011 has been cancelled.

A public meeting of the State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB) will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect headquarters, 1102 Q Street, Suite 5100, Sacramento, CA 95811. A public meeting notice and agenda are available for download

SHBSB Meeting Notice Agenda 06/22/11 (PDF - 37 KB)

DSA Bulletin BU 11-04 has been issued announcing a change in fees for DSA plan review of the High Performance Incentive (HPI) grant project applications. The changes will take effect July 1, 2011.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Wednesday, June 01, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

Outreach & Communication Committee Meeting Agenda June 01, 2011 (PDF - 69 KB) | (RTF - 22 MB)

New and Revised IRs have been posted to the DSA IR Manual (PDF - 6.40 MB) and the Individual IRs page.

DSA Bulletin BU 11-01 (PDF - 244 KB) has been revised to include an Attachment presenting a procedure for updating 2007 design documents for DSA review of update to compliance with 2010 regulations.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Outreach & Communication Committee will be held on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room A, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

Projects seeking CHPS Verified recognition and HPI funding can now be reviewed simultaneously by the DSA and CHPS. Read the DGS Press Release (PDF) for more information.

Information on the HPI-CHPS Joint Review Process is also available on the DSA High Performance Incentive (HPI) Program web page.

DSA Structural Safety unit has made minor modifications to DSA-103, and updated it for the new 2010 California Building Code.

DSA has posted a significant revision to Procedure PR 07-01, updating the PC process. Appendix E has been added, updates have been made for the 2010 CBC, and other clarifications and changes to the process have been implemented.

A public meeting of the State Historical Building Safety Board will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel and Bungalows, Wilshire I Meeting Room, 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA  90401. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

The DSA High Performance Section (HPS) has revised DSA Bulletin BU 11-02 (PDF - 60 KB) with updated and additional information regarding HPI project review and revised plans.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Conference Room B, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

In conjunction with the State Fire Marshal, the DSA Fire and Life Safety (FLS) unit has developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (PDF - 104 KB) regarding a variety of concerns about jurisdiction, responsibilities and requirements on FLS aspects of projects. This document also includes contact information for DSA and the State Fire Marshal and useful links.

DSA has posted information about the 2002 Seismic Safety Inventory of California Public Schools report on a new AB 300 page on its website, along with background and history of the DSA outreach to school districts, a FAQ, and an updated listing of buildings.