DSA News & Events Archive

The California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) has announced a 15 day public comment period for DSA's proposed changes to Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the California Building Standards Codes (Title 24). The proposal amends emergency regulations introduced in August 2010 to streamline the close out of projects subject to DSA review.

You may view the Notice of Proposed Actions and Express Terms here or at the CBSC web site, and also on the DSA Title 24 News page. Follow instructions in the Notice for submitting comments. You may download a comment form from the CBSC. Comment period ends December 30, 2010.

California announced the Inaugural 2010 Grid Neutral Schools Awards at the Green California Summit last week.

Inaugural 2010 Grid Neutral Awards Press Release.

The CALGreen Code will become effective on January 1, 2011.

The DSA-3 Form will be revised to reflect the items to be verified at the application intake. All schools and community colleges planned for new campuses will need to comply with the DSA-SS mandatory measures of Title 24, Part 11 per Section 105.

For additional information refer to the DSA Green Code page and a preview showing a sample of the revisions to the DSA-3. The final form will be available online the first of the new year.

Nat Chauhan has announced his retirement from State service and the position of Regional Manager of DSA’s Oakland Office. Jim Hackett will assume the role of Acting Regional Manager of the Oakland Office, with his first day as Acting Regional Manager on December 8, 2010.

Jim has worked at DSA for twenty years in various capacities—most recently, as a structural plan review supervisor in the Sacramento Regional Office for the past eight years. Additionally, Jim worked as a plan reviewer and a District Structural Engineer in the Sacramento Regional Office, and at DSA Headquarters developing policy. Jim brings to the position a comprehensive understanding and breadth of experience in all facets of DSA’s functions and responsibilities.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Emergency Preparedness Committee will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 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.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Green Committee will be held on Thursday, November 18, 2010 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.

Green Committee Meeting Agenda November 18, 2010 (PDF - 43KB) | (RTF - 3 MB)

As part of its process to update its Interpretations of Regulations (IR), DSA has begun reviewing and updating all IRs in the IR Manual (PDF - 3.53) [Revised 11/18/11, superseded by DSA Interpretations of Regulations Manual (PDF - 6.88 MB)] for applicability to the 2010 Title 24 codes, which take effect on January 1, 2011. As the IRs are updated, the listing in the IR Manual Table of Contents, as well as on the Individual IRs page, will show "2010 CBC," or "N/A" if it is not applicable.

The DSA is still accepting applications for the following two categories of the Grid Neutral Schools Awards: Distinguished Campus and Exemplary Teaching Tools. For further information go to the Grid Neutral Schools web page.

The Division of the State Architect is holding a forum titled "DSA: Improving Our Services" on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the DGS Ziggurat Auditorium at 707 3rd Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605.

This forum will address implementation of California Public School Construction Process Review suggestions, and will include a panel discussion of recent changes in DSA policies and regulations as well as keynote remarks from Howard "Chip" Smith, Acting State Architect.

The forum will also be webcast via DSA's Internet site:
www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/Programs/webcast.aspx

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 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 November 4, 2010 (PDF - 54 KB) | (RTF - 2.80 MB)

The DSA Advisory Board will hold their Annual Planning Session on Thursday, October 28, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and their Annual Meeting on the following day, Friday, October 29, 2010 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 Planning Session &  Meeting Agenda 10/28/10 and 10/29/10 (PDF - 92 KB)

DSA's website has been recently redesigned. Because our website address has changed, please take a moment to update your links.

We welcome your comments about DSA's redesigned site. Send your comments and questions to DSA-Feedback@dgs.ca.gov or via the DSA Feedback page.

DSA IR A-8 (PDF - 85 KB) [Revised 11/03/10, superseded by IR A-8 (PDF - 56 KB)] DSA is reviewing administrative policies and procedures regarding rating of inspectors; Section 2 of the IR had been removed temporarily pending completion of this review.

DSA Bulletin 09-09 (PDF - 59) has been updated. [Revised 10/20/11, superseded by Bulletin 09-09 (PDF - 37 KB)]. It gives information on the impact of the 2008 Energy Code on projects and PC designs.

New Bulletin 10-03 (PDF - 35 KB) supersedes and replaces Bulletin 09-03. It clarifies the policy on extensions of the time allowed to start construction after approval of plans. This Bulletin will be effective for two years.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee will be held on Monday, October 04, 2010 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.

Access Committee Agenda 10/04/10 (PDF - 45 KB) | (RTF - 1.39 MB)

The DSA Bulletin regarding Whitco Company, LP, light poles, issued in April of 2009, has been updated to reflect a recall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission of these light poles, some of which are located on California public school campuses. Poles manufactured between 2000 and 2005 and between 70 and 135 feet tall are identified in the recall. Because a number of these poles have fallen, in the update to Bulletin 09-05 (PDF - 50 KB), DSA emphasizes the importance of school districts investigating light poles on their campuses to determine the manufacturer and condition. Inspection by qualified professionals is advised as well as restricting access to areas where Whitco Co., LP, light poles are located.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Emergency Preparedness Committee will be held on Thursday, September 09, 2010 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.

Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting Agenda September 09, 2010 (PDF - 49 KB) | (RTF - 2.69 MB)

Howard "Chip" Smith has become the Acting State Architect effective August 19, 2010. Chip is a licensed structural engineer and architect and has 16 years of experience in multiple capacities in the Division of the State Architect's San Diego, Sacramento, and Headquarters offices.

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Green Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 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.

Green Committee Meeting Agenda September 01, 2010 (PDF - 62 KB) | (RTF - 4.52 MB)

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Inspection & Testing Committee will be held on Monday, August 23, 2010 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 August 23, 2010 (PDF - 51 KB) | (RTF - 2.79 MB)

The Division of the State Architect is proposing to adopt emergency regulations to amend Part 1, Chapter 4, 2010 California Administrative Code regarding certification of school building projects (DSA-SS EF 02-10). The proposals will be considered at the August 16, 2010 Building Standards Commission meeting. The documents submitted to the Building Standards Commission are:

Emergency standards pertaining to Part 1, California Administrative Code

• Finding of Emergency (PDF)
• Emergency Building Standards - Part 1 (PDF)

CALGreen Code will become effective on January 1, 2011. DSA will intake review for the Green Code as done for the California Energy Code.

The DSA Project Services unit has developed new features on the DSA form DSA-3 (PDF - 1.32 MB), the Project Submittal Checklist, to address Access Only projects. Access Only project submittals should now employ the DSA-3 process. The Instructions for this form, DSA-3-INSTR (PDF - 53 KB), Section C, have been updated to reflect this change.

Form DSA-293 (PDF - 163 KB), the Geotechnical Verified Report (GVR) has been revised to allow indication of specific Geotechnical related tests and inspections being reported.

A minor change has been made to form DSA-10 - Funding Status Inquiry, [Revised 02/10/11, superseded by DSA-10 (PDF - 376 KB)] adding a note to clarify that the form is not required for Access Only or Over-the-Counter projects.

The quarterly public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 9:00 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.

DSA Advisory Board Quarterly Meeting Agenda July 29, 2010 (PDF - 167 KB) | (RTF - 2.74 MB)

CAL GREEN CODE will become effective on January 1, 2011. The DSA will intake review for the Green Code as done for the California Energy Code.

DSA has published a revision to IR A-4 (PDF - 34 KB) [Revised 10/11/11, superseded by IR A-4 (PDF - 46 KB)] that clarifies and simplifies certain provisions, such as designation of projects that do and do not require geologic hazard reports. Also, because changes to the process announced in the previous revision to this IR have been implemented, the section stating when CGS would begin accepting submittals has been deleted.

DSA has also issued a minor revision to IR 16-8 (PDF - 84 KB) [Revised 11/03/10, superseded by IR 16-8 (PDF - 80 KB)] which clarifies some language regarding BOS equipment and removes the requirement for fencing in Section 6.1.5

A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 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.

DSA Advisory Board Access Committee Meeting Agenda June 30, 2010 (PDF - 121 KB) | (RTF - 570 KB)

DSA IR N-1 [Revised 10/11/11, superseded by IR N-1 (PDF - 41 KB)] has been revised to reflect changes to the process and also the name of the DSA unit administering the program, which is now known as the High performance Section. Contact information for the program remains unchanged. Some changes have been made to the process, especially at the back check phase.

A revision to DSA Bulletin 09- 06 has been posted on the DSA web site. The deadline for revisions to Pre-Check (PC) designs has been waived and a new, more detailed description of the issues has been added, as well as a new procedure for updating designs requiring revision.

The public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 2010 has been cancelled.

DSA has revised Bulletin 09-04 (PDF - 55 KB) [Revised 02/10/11, superseded by Bulletin 09-04 (PDF - 42 KB)] to reflect changes to project assignment and DSA regional office responsibilities in the process for setting priorities for project review.

The Plan Review Processing Days Report identifies projects received from July 1, 2009 to May 12, 2010 that have been approved/stamped out. This report identifies the days required for each component of processing (i.e. Incomplete Days, Bin Time, Plan Review Days, Design Professional Correction Days, and DSA & Design Professional Back Check Days)

DSA Plan Review Processing Timeframes Report (PDF - 495 KB) | (EXCEL - 244 KB)

The Division of the State Architect has updated DSA's "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status information in spreadsheet form as of May 11, 2010:

DSA "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status (PDF - 206 KB) | (EXCEL - 117 KB) Updated 05/12/10

After a series of four successful town hall sessions, the Division of the State Architect (DSA) is again teaming with the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) to host a discussion titled "School Buildings at the Crossroads" on May 20, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Department of General Services, Main Auditorium, Ziggurat Building, 707 3rd Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605. After hearing the comments, questions, and suggestions from school district representatives and design professionals, DSA and OPSC would like to share how we will be incorporating the best ideas into our proposed response to issues facing all of us. The event will be webcast live at http://www.dgs.ca.gov/townhall. For topic details or questions, please contact Jordan Aquino at jordan.aquino@dgs.ca.gov. A flyer containing more information on this event is available for download.

School Building at the Crossroads: Thursday, May 20, 2010 (PDF - 191 KB)

Cancelled as of 5/13/10
A public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board Access Committee will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 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.

DSA Advisory Board Access Committee Meeting Agenda May 20, 2010 (PDF - 42 KB) |  (RTF - 568 KB).

The Division of the State Architect has updated DSA's "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status information in spreadsheet form as of May 4, 2010:

DSA "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status (PDF - 229 KB) | (EXCEL - 94 KB) Updated 05/04/10

DSA has revised Bulletin 09-04 [Revised 02/10/11, superseded by BU 09-04 (PDF - 42 KB)] and form DSA-10 (PDF - 377 KB) to reflect changes in the process for setting priorities for project review. Clients now have 90 rather than 75 calendar days to start construction after DSA approval to qualify for Category 1 or 2. A client responsibilities section has been added. It is important to note that DSA now requires a copy of the district's Notice to Proceed (NTP).

The Division of the State Architect has updated DSA's "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status information in spreadsheet form as of April 27, 2010:

DSA "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status (PDF - 246 KB) | (EXCEL - 98 KB) Updated 04/27/10

A public meeting of the State Historical Building Safety Board (SHBSB) will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 317 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA 95959. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.

DSA State Historical Building Safety Board Meeting Agenda May 12, 2010 (PDF - 28 KB).

The DSA IR Manual has been updated with two new IRs and revisions to four others.

New IRs are as follows:

• IR A-28: Fire Alarm Changes in Existing Buildings (PDF - 39 KB) - Describes the requirements when all or part of a Fire Alarm (F/A) system is replaced in an existing building.
• IR E-3: Reliable Power Supply for Electrical Fire Pumps (PDF - 21 KB) - Clarifies code requirements on acceptable reliable power supply. [Revised 11/03/10, superseded by IR E-3 (PDF - 21)]

Revised IRs are as follows:

• IR A-9: School Site Improvements for School Building Projects IR A-9 - Minor revision to clarify language in Section 1. [Revised 10/11/11, superseded by IR A-9 (PDF - 24 KB)]
• IR A-18: Use of Construction Documents Prepared by Other Professionals (PDF - 46 KB) - Makes editorial changes only to Appendix A and B. [Revised 08/03/11, superseded by IR A-18 (PDF - 49 KB]
• IR A-27: Cargo Containers Used as Storage (PDF - 34 KB) - Removing Section 1.9 relating to local fire authority. [Revised 01/12/11, superseded by IR A-27 (PDF - 21 KB)]
• IR 15-2: Clay and Concrete Roof Tile Materials and Application (PDF - 40 KB) - Removes the Exception in Section 4.2 regarding fasteners. [Revised 09-02-10, superseded by IR 15-2 (PDF -141 KB)]

The Division of the State Architect is soliciting for a Statement of Qualifications from qualified architectural firms or individuals interested in providing access compliance 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 [RFQ deadline has passed. —05/20/10]
(Downloading the RFQ from this website is a free service.)

Deadline to submit Statement of Qualifications: May 17, 2010 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

The Division of the State Architect has updated DSA's "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status information in spreadsheet form as of April 20, 2010:

DSA "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status (PDF - 242 KB) | (EXCEL - 90 KB) Updated 04/20/10

DSA Structural Safety has issued IR A-27 (PDF - 21 KB) [Revised 01/12/11, superseded by IR A-27 (PDF - 21 KB)] which clarifies the definition of school buildings as it applies to cargo containers used as storage.

The Division of the State Architect has made available information on DSA's "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status in spreadsheet form:

DSA "Bin Time" Reduction Plan Status (PDF - 138 KB) | (EXCEL - 117 KB).

DSA, along with the Office of Public School Construction, will be holding their fourth and final Town Hall Meeting on Friday, April 16th at the West End Educational Service Center in the Inland Empire. This meeting will be webcast live. For further information download the DSA & OPSC Town Hall Meeting Flyer (PDF - 150 KB), visit the DSA & OPSC Town Hall Meetings web page, or send questions and potential discussion topics to jordan.aquino@dgs.ca.gov.

For an accessible version of this flyer, please contact The Division of the State Architect Headquarters Office.

A public meeting of the DSA Access Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Monday April 19, 2010 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.
DSA Advisory Board Access Committee Meeting Agenda April 19, 2010 (PDF - 49 KB) | (RTF - 757 KB).

In an effort to help implement the Governor's business plan to promote jobs creation in California, DSA is suspending the requirement to submit and review plans electronically. In order to reduce "bin" time and expedite approval, DSA has revised Policy 09-02: Electronic Submittal/Plan Review (PDF - 51 KB), removing the mandate for electronic submittals of projects. The policy will be reexamined June 30, 2010.

DSA, along with the Office of Public School Construction, will be holding Town Hall Meetings on Friday, March 5th at the Butte County Office of Education, Friday, March 12th at the Merced County Office of Education, and Friday, March 19th at the Orange County Office of Education. These meetings will be webcast live. For further information download the DSA & OPSC Town Hall Meetings Flyer (PDF - 228 KB), visit the DSA & OPSC Town Hall Meetings web page, or send questions and potential discussion topics to jordan.aquino@dgs.ca.gov.

DSA is making changes to the submittal requirements for projects which include Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems (AFSS). Effective July 1, 2010, DSA will no longer accept AFSS as a deferred submittal. A transitional period is provided. Details are given, along with a Questions and Answers section, in new DSA Policy 10-01 (PDF - 80 KB).

DSA has issued Bulletin 10-02: DSA Submittals: Form DSA-1 and Form DSA-3 (PDF - 50 KB). Effective March 1, 2010, project submittals received by DSA will be considered incomplete if either Form DSA-1 or Form DSA-3 is missing, or the information required in these documents is missing or inaccurate. [Revised 06/06/11, superseded by BU 10-2 (PDF - 36 KB)

With the effective date of the 2008 California Energy Code, changes have been made to form DSA-403 (PDF - 442 KB), now titled the "2008 Energy Code Compliance Checklist." The new form is to be used for all projects submitted to DSA for review and approval.

DSA has issued Bulletin 10-01: Access Compliance Fee Schedule Increase (PDF - 51 KB) regarding increases to the Access Compliance fee structure. Effective February 16, 2010 a new fee structure will apply to projects submitted for DSA Access Compliance review as indicated in the bulletin.

A public meeting of the DSA Green Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 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.
DSA Advisory Board Green Committee Meeting Agenda February 11, 2010 (PDF - 42 KB).

A public meeting of the DSA Community College (SB 588) Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 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.
DSA Advisory Board Community College Committee Meeting Agenda February 3, 2010 (PDF - 48 KB).

A public meeting of the DSA Outreach and Communication Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 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.
DSA Advisory Board Outreach and Communication Committee Meeting Agenda January 29, 2010 (PDF - 36 KB).

A public meeting of the DSA Codes and Standards Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 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.
DSA Advisory Board Codes and Standards Committee Meeting Agenda January 28, 2010 (PDF - 36 KB).

The quarterly public meeting of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 9:00 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.
DSA Advisory Board Quarterly Meeting Agenda January 21, 2010 (PDF - 56 KB).

A public meeting of the DSA Emergency Preparedness Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 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.
DSA Emergency Preparedness Committee Meeting Agenda January 14, 2010 (PDF - 36 KB).

A public meeting of the DSA Academy and Training Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 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.
DSA Academy and Training Committee Meeting Agenda January 6, 2010 (PDF - 49 KB).

The DSA IR Manual has had several revisions. IRs A-15 (PDF - 47 KB) and 21-2 (PDF - 58 KB) have been revised. IRs 11B-8 (PDF - 46 KB) and 23-8 (PDF - 74 KB) have been added. AC-32-2 has been converted to IR 23-11 (PDF - 39 KB). [Revised 01/12/11, superseded by IR A-15 (PDF - 39 KB), [Revised 03/10/11, superseded by 21-2 (PDF - 58 KB), [Revised 01/01/11, superseded by 11B-8 (PDF -32 KB), IR 23-11[Superseded and replaced by IR 23-6.01 (PDF - 50 KB)]

Due to changes in Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Section 1859.82(a), DSA has issued a revision to DSA Procedure 08-03 (PDF - 65 KB) The new regulations permit additional structural systems and reduced spectral acceleration. This program is tied to Proposition 1D funding for seismic mitigation projects.

The DSA Code Appeal Process (CAP) has been revised to clarify some language, and to combine some steps. The new Procedure 09-01 (PDF - 52 KB) is now available on the Publications page. The location of changes is indicated by marginal markings. Also, form DSA-160 (PDF - 92 KB), the CAP Router Form, has been updated to reflect the changes.

DSA has created a Green page on its web site. This will be a clearinghouse for information on environmentally sustainable practices and DSA programs that encourage and support them. Some of the content that had been located on the "Other DSA Programs" page has been moved to the new "Green" page.

Learn how to steamline your submittal for the High Performance Incentive (HPI) Grant. Submit your construction documents directly to our Headquarters Office at the same time you have submitted at your regional office. We will start your review by confirming your compliance with Title 24, Part 6. If you need time for the HPI documentation, you can have up to six weeks to send in your scorecard and related HPI documentation. This is effective immediately and will insure that your plan review is complete at your back-check appointment. See: DSA HPI page for more detailed information on how to simplify your HPI documentation.

IR 11B-8 (PDF - 46 KB) [Revised 01-01-11, superseded by IR 11B-8 (PDF - 32 KB)] has been issued regarding DSA's position on the use of construction tolerance guidelines related to accessibility provisions in the California Building Code. The IR appears in the Access Compliance Reference Manual. This new IR will also be published in the DSA IR Manual as part of its next revision, due in early December.

A public meeting of the Inspection & Testing Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Monday, December 7, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 8, from 9:00 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 Agenda December 7 and 8, 2009 (PDF - 86 KB).

In response to AB 1062, DSA has issued Procedure PR 09-10 (PDF - 86 KB) which describes the Pre-Check (PC) approval process as specifically applied to the submission of solar energy systems intended for use on site specific projects under DSA jurisdiction. Use of the PC process will greatly expedite future approval for the use of PC approved solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in California public schools and State essential services buildings.

A public meeting of the Access Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 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.
Access Committee Agenda November 19, 2009 (PDF - 36 KB).

As required by statute (SB 1608), DSA has posted the notice in a form of a letter dated October 13, 2009 provided by the Department of Finance declaring that the California Commission on Disability Access has been funded and has commenced operations.

Department of Finance Letter, 10/13/09: California Commission on Disability Access (PDF - 58 KB).

Updates and minor changes have been made to the Community College Collaborative Process Overview contained in DSA Bulletin 09-07 (PDF - 139 KB) .

The estimated project cost thresholds for the Mandated Electronic Plan Submittal and Review program have changed, starting November 1, 2009. Policy 09-02 (PDF - 33 KB) [Revised 03-03-10, superseded by PL 09-02 (PDF - 51 KB)] has been amended to require all projects up to $400,000 to be submitted and reviewed electronically. Between $400,000 and $1,000,000, the Design Professional may choose to submit electronically. Above $1,000,000, the Design Professional must obtain consent from the Project Services Supervisor to submit electronically. In any event, all projects submitted electronically will be reviewed electronically by all required disciplines of DSA.

The Division of the State Architect's 2009 Strategic Plan Summary (PDF - 153 KB) is now available for download from the DSA Publications page.

A public meeting of the Green Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 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.
Green Committee Agenda November 4, 2009 (PDF - 50 KB).

A public Annual Planning Session and Annual Board Meeting of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, October 23, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of these meetings are available for download.
Annual Planning Session and Annual Board Meeting Agenda October 22 and 23, 2009 (PDF - 44 KB).

The estimated project cost thresholds for the Mandated Electronic Plan Submittal and Review program will be changing. Starting November 1, 2009, Policy 09-02 will be amended to require all projects up to $400,000 to be submitted and reviewed electronically. Between $400,000 and $1,000,000, the Design Professional may choose to submit electronically. Above $1,000,000, the Design Professional must obtain consent from the Project Services Supervisor to submit electronically. In any event, all projects submitted electronically will be reviewed electronically by all required disciplines of DSA. The revised Policy 09-02 will be forthcoming and provide more detail on the new dollar threshold.

DSA Procedure 08-01 (PDF - 598 KB) has been revised to reflect changes in policy on digital signatures. Procedure 09-05 (PDF - 201 KB) has been revised to reflect various changes to the process of submitting projects for Electronic Plan Review. Marginal markings in both documents indicate the location of changes.

DSA Bulletin 09-09 (PDF - 42 KB) [Revised 10/20/11, superseded by BU 09-09 (PDF - 36 KB) ] indicates the impact of the new 2008 California Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) on project submittals and Pre-Check (PC) Designs for projects submitted on or after the effective date. A minor revision to Bulletin 09-06 (PDF - 54 KB) [Revised 05/26/10, superseded by BU 09-06: Minimum Reinforcement of Concrete Piers and Caissons Embedded with Steel Poles (PDF - 100 KB)] clarifies, in Appendix A, the scope of application. Finally, some language added to Procedure 07-01 (PDF - 326 KB), [Revised 07-29-11, superseded by PR 07-01 (PDF - 445 KB)] Section 7, in the July 2009 revision, has been removed. No other changes have been made. Marginal markings still show the location of the July revisions.

The Division of the State Architect is soliciting for a Statement of Qualifications from qualified structural engineering firms or individuals 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 [RFQ deadline has passed. —10/26/09]

Deadline to submit is October 22, 2009 by 2:00 p.m.

For additional information please contact:
Kathy Kinman, DSA Contract Analyst at (916) 327-3891 or e-mail to: kathy.kinman@dgs.ca.gov

A public teleconference meeting of the Outreach & Communication Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. from the Division of the State Architect, 1102 Q Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA, 95811. An agenda of this meeting is available for download.
Outreach & Communication Committee Agenda September 24, 2009 (PDF - 26 KB).

The DSA Fire and Life Safety unit has developed a new DSA Policy, PL 09-05 (PDF - 32 KB), to provide local fire authority the opportunity to comment on the location and sizes of elevator cabs. Policy PL 09-01 (PDF - 34 KB) [Revised 09/10/09, superseded by PL 09-01 (PDF - 32 KB)] on fire flow has been revised to remove the Local Fire Authority Review Template, which is now available, along with Instructions (PDF - 26 KB), as Template DSA-810 (PDF - 27 KB) on the Fire and Life Safety page.

A public meeting of the Green Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Monday, September 14, 2009 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.
Green Committee Agenda September 14, 2009 (PDF - 55 KB).

A public meeting of the Emergency Preparedness Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 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.
Emergency Preparedness Committee Agenda September 15, 2009 (PDF - 32 KB).

A public meeting of the Inspection & Testing Committee of the DSA Advisory Board will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 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 Agenda September 17, 2009 (PDF - 41 KB).