Chapter 17A Special Inspections and Tests

Chapter 17A – Special Inspections and Tests

Division of the State Architect and
Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development

1704A.5 Submittals to the building official

Repealed and reserved Item #2 for consistency with deletion of model code section 1704.2.5.1. Added Item #4 to clarify reference to CBC rather than ACI 318.

1705A.2.1 Structural steel

Adopted model code provisions and aligned with current practice. Added DSA and OSHPD banners to identify specific provisions that apply to each agency.

Removed reference to:

• AISC 341 and 358 for quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) requirements since those are for seismic, not gravity, load resisting systems. Sections 1705A.13.1.1, 1705A.13.1.2, 1705A.14.1.1, and 1705A.14.1.2 reference AISC 341 for relevant QC and QA requirements for seismic load resisting systems.
• Prohibition of AISC 360, Chapter N, N4 Item 2 (Quality Inspector Qualifications) since Section 1705A.2.7 governs through added language of “and this code” at end of initial statement in Section 1705A.2.1.

1705A.2.2 Structural stainless steel

New model code section amended to conceptually match amendments for Section 1705A.2.1.

1705A.2.3 Cold-formed steel deck

Modifications to achieve consistency with similar existing and new amendments in Section 1705A.2.1. Added and updated pointers to referenced standards (such as AISC 341, 358, or 370 and AISI S100 or S240) and CBC sections (such as 2201A.2, 1705A.8).

1705A.2.7 Special Inspection and tests of structural welding

Added reference pointers. Recognized AWS B5.1 as an alternative acceptable standard for AWS CWI minimum requirements to AWS QC1. Replaced ‘inspection’ with ‘special inspection’ throughout this section to clarify requirements apply to QA, rather than QC inspections.

Table 1705A.3 Required special inspections and tests of concrete construction

Coordinated various editorial amendments to correct numbering inconsistences and to update and clarify certain amendments due to reformatting of the model code table. Amendments include, but are not limited to:

• Added ACI 318 reference pointers.
• Items 1, 4.a, 4.b, 5, 6, 7, and 14 – Renumbered reference pointers based on renumbering or relocation of previous amendments.
• Item 2.b – Adopted revised model language and amended the required inspection type to include intermediate moment frames. Added language and DSA banner to address specific cases of welding of reinforcing used in collectors and chords.
• Item 2.d – Deleted amendment regarding reinforcing steel resisting flexural and axial forces in intermediate and special moment frames, and boundary elements and coupling beams of special structural walls of concrete due to Item 2.b model code and amendments incorporating these requirements. Adopted model code inspection type.
• Items 3, 4.a and 4.b – Deleted amendments that were pointers to referenced standards because the model code now includes the pointers.
• Item 5 and 6 – Relocated reference ACI 318-19 26.13.3.2 in Item 5 to Item 6. For Item 5, repealed amendment requiring continuous special inspection to align with model code requiring periodic. However, no net regulatory change occurs because the California Administrative Code requires continuous inspection of concrete placement of the specified design mix.

1705A.4 Masonry construction

Added batch plant special inspection requirements for grout with reference to 1705A.3.3.

1705A.4.1.1 TMS 602 Section 1.6 Quality Assurance

Added amendment modifying TMS 602 Table 4 footnote “d” to require periodic inspections for all veneer, regardless of height, to maintain the quality of installation applicable to projects.

1705A.5.1 High-load diaphragms

Added reference to 2307.1 since special inspection is required for high-load diaphragms regardless of design method utilized being ASD or LRFD.

1705A.13 Special inspections for seismic resistance
1705A.13.1 Structural steel
1705A.13.1.1 Seismic force-resisting systems
1705A.13.1.2 Structural steel elements
1705A.14.1.1 Seismic force-resisting systems
1705A.14.1.2 Structural steel elements

Amended sections 1705A.13.1.1, 1705A.13.1.2, 1705A.14.1.1 and 1705.14.1.2 to clarify that requirements of the CBC are also applicable, in addition to those in the AISC 341. Deleted reference to gravity Section 1705A.2.1 in sections 1705A.13.1.1 and 1705A.13.1.2 since the seismic requirements in the AISC 341 builds on the gravity requirements in AISC 360.

1705A.14.2 Nonstructural components

Removed a pointer to Section 1704A.5, since the associated certification requirement is deleted in Section 1704A.5 Item #2. Revised existing amendment to include nationally recognized standards such as ANSI/ASHRAE 171 referenced in ASCE 7 Section C13.6.4.1.

Division of the State Architect

1701A.4 Special inspections and tests

Added reference to Chapters 14, 15 and 24 to the list of chapters with special inspection and test requirements to account for those in the noted chapters. Removed the specific reference pointer to the California Administrative Code (CAC) since many different sections specify special inspection, test, and observation requirements and a comprehensive listing is not needed.

1704A.3 Statement of special inspections

Added language to not permit the exception that allows non-licensed individuals to prepare a statement of special inspections. The California Education Code Section 17302 requires designs of school projects by design professionals.

1704A.4 Contractor responsibility

DSA's construction oversight and quality assurance programs render requirements for the contractor to submit a statement of responsibility unnecessary for most projects. Therefore, only when such a requirement is specified on the approved construction documents does it apply.

1705A.2.1 Structural steel

Clarified prohibition of quality assurance aspects (rather than all aspects, such as quality control) for AISC 360, Chapter N, N5 Item 2 (Quality Assurance), N5 Item 4 (Inspection of Welding), and N7 (Nonconforming Material and Workmanship).

Added a note clarifying that additions to other reference standards in Table 1705A.2.1 apply when those provisions are applicable.

Clarified intent of replacing language in AISC 360, Section N5.5(b) and through formatting for consistency with modification of model reference standards used in other amendments.

DSA considered deleting non-adoption of some AISC 360 Chapter N references as well as the reference to Table 1705A.2.1. However, based on early feedback from various welding special inspectors and material testing laboratory managers, confusion regarding expectations caused by the terms “observe,” “perform,” and “document” not correlating with periodic or continuous inspection, DSA decided to maintain those.

Table 1705A.2.1 Required special inspections and tests of steel construction

Added and updated pointers to referenced standards (such as AISC 341, 358, or 370 and AISI S100 or S240) and CBC sections (such as 2201A.2, 1705A.8). Other specific items resulting in regulatory changes:

Item 3. – Removing the word "deck" such that material identification applies to all structural cold-formed steel, not just decks.

Item 5.a. – Removing the word "deck" such that welding inspection requirements apply to all structural cold-formed steel, not just decks.

DSA considered deleting Table 1705A.2.1. However, based on early feedback from various welding special inspectors and material testing laboratory managers, confusion regarding expectations due to the terms “observe,” “perform,” and “document” not correlating with periodic or continuous inspection, DSA decided to maintain the table.

1705A.2.3 Cold-formed steel deck

Modifications prohibit certain reference standard provisions while explicitly referencing Table 1705A.2.1 to achieve consistency with similar existing and new amendments in Section 1705A.2.1.

1705A.2.7 Special Inspection and tests of structural welding

Relocated mid-section paragraph to bottom of section.

1705A.2.9 Special inspection and tests of cold-formed steel light-frame construction

Added a new section to ensure quality assurance is provided in accordance with AISI S240 during construction, similar to that provided in the AISC reference standard in Section 1705A.2.1 for structural steel.

1705A.3.3 Batch plant inspection

Added the DSA banner and minimum qualifications for batch plant inspectors to address transit-mixed concrete, shotcrete, grout and other cementitious mixtures required to be inspected in accordance with the California Administrative Code.

1705A.3.3.2 Batch plant inspection not required

Added Item #5 to clarify that isolated exterior foundations supporting equipment are not exempt where deep foundations are used.

Table 1705A.5.3, Item 3.5

Added pointer reference for special inspection requirements to ensure those occur in the proper sequence (i.e., inspection after cover installed, but before other coverings installed).

1705A.6 Soils

Added a new section with additional exceptions to reduce unnecessary soils special inspections and tests for deep and shallow foundations based on conditions and design considerations listed in Section 1806A.2 and Table 1806A.2.

1705A.12.2 Cold-formed steel light-frame construction and 1705A.13.3 Cold-formed steel light-frame construction

Added reference pointer to new Section 1705A.2.9 to ensure those requirements apply for windforce- and seismic force-resisting systems in cold-formed steel light-frame construction.

1705A.13 Special inspections for seismic resistance
1705A.13.1 Structural steel
1705A.13.1.1 Seismic force-resisting systems
1705A.13.1.2 Structural steel elements
1705A.14.1.1 Seismic force-resisting systems
1705A.14.1.2 Structural steel elements

Amendments explicitly identify prohibited quality assurance aspects of certain sections in AISC 341 to align with similar prohibitions in Section 1705A.2.1. Added a pointer to applicable portions of Table 1705A.2.1. Amendments align with modifications and requirements in Section 1705A.2.1 (i.e., removal of reference to AISC 341/358) while ensuring the same Quality Assurance provisions apply.

Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development

Table 1705A.2.1 Required special inspections and tests of steel construction

Repealed Table 1705A.2.1 since OSHPD has a new Policy Intent Notice, PIN 77 that guides the user through the appropriate sections in model code.

1705A.14.3 Special seismic certification
1705A.14.3.1 [OSHPD 1 & 4]

Amended Exception 1 to clarify that the requirement for equipment and components weighing not more than 75 lbs. (previously 50 lbs.) are to be rigidly attached to structures. Added editorial clarification to Exception 7.

1710A Off-site construction [OSHPD 1, & 4]

Added requirements for off-site construction, including modular and panelized systems. For facilities utilizing International Code Council (ICC) Standard 1200, provides minimum requirements in multiple facets of the off-site construction process including: planning, designing, fabricating, transporting, and assembling building elements.