The purpose of this bulletin is to establish procedures to provide proof of compliance when there is evidence that any material or construction does not conform to the requirements of the California construction standard codes (the Codes).

Examples of conditions where testing is required to prove compliance with the Codes: 

1. Work was performed without the required permits and inspections.
2. Product or assembly is not listed by a recognized and approved listing agency.
3. The product or assembly was fabricated in a shop that the City did not approve.
4. Work was performed without the required special inspection, or the special inspection was performed by a special inspector not registered by the City.
5. the original condition of the approved listed product or assembly has been altered, modified, changed, or revised since it left the manufacturer’s plant or fabricator’s shop. 

I. Documents to be submitted

When testing and inspection are required to be made as proof of compliance, the following documents are required to be submitted for evaluation and approval to the DSD Field Engineer or Senior Field Engineer:

1. Testing/ Inspection Methodology: 

   When testing/inspection is required to be made as proof of code compliance, the registered design professional in responsible charge of the structural design of the project shall submit a testing/inspection plan specifying testing and inspection methodology, stating and providing the following: This testing/inspection methodology plan, along with all supporting documents, specifications, plans, sketches and details, shall be submitted for approval before the commencement of testing and/or inspection of the proposed work and shall include the following: 

   1. Project address, Project number, Approval number, and Date.
   2. Description of the work proposed to be tested and/ or inspected.
   3. Proposed destructive and/or non-destructive test procedures.
   4. Location of and percentage of work proposed to be tested and inspected.
   5. Reference to details shown on the approved permitted plans & specifications.
   6. Test load, design load, factor of safety.
   7. Duration of test load.
   8. Details and illustrations showing the location, direction, and magnitude of the test load (s) to be applied.
   9. Details and illustrations showing the location of the instrumentation for measurements.
   10. Description of all failure modes and conditions.
   11. Remedies and course of actions to be performed for failed tests and/or rejected conditions (by the inspection).
   12. Testing Laboratory designated to perform the testing and or inspection. (Refer to Section IV). 

2. Testing Laboratory Final Report: 

   The construction materials testing laboratory shall provide a comprehensive and complete report covering the test set-up, testing and inspection procedure, observations, and results of testing performed. The reports must reference the testing plan approved by the City. Test results, visual inspection, and special inspection reports, along with the final report, shall be submitted clearly, legibly, and concisely.

3. Letter of Acceptance: 

The registered design professional of record must review and accept all test results and inspection reports for compliance with the testing plan approved by the City. The registered design professional shall submit a stamped and signed letter of acceptance, along with a copy of all test and inspection reports and the approved testing plan, to the City for review and approval. Such a letter must refer to the approved testing plan.

Testing and Inspection Standards

All test results and inspection reports must be reviewed and accepted by the registered design professional of record to comply with the testing plan approved by the City. The registered design professional shall submit a stamped and signed letter of acceptance, a copy of all test and inspection reports and the approved testing plan to the City for review and approval. Such a letter must refer to the approved testing plan.

Structural Observations

In accordance with CBC, Chapter 17, section on Structural Observations, the registered design professional responsible for preparing the testing plan is required to provide supervision and structural observation during the set-up of the testing apparatus and instrumentation and during testing operations to ensure compliance with the requirements outlined in the “Testing Methodology” as approved. The structural observer shall submit a written structural observation report stating that the site visits have been made and whether or not the work performed complies with the approved “Testing Methodology.” 

Testing Laboratory

A list of approved construction materials testing laboratories and special inspection agencies (if no testing is required, only special inspection) is available online on the department’s webpage or from Inspection Services. Testing laboratories and special inspection agencies shall notify Inspection Services (Senior Inspector) at least one business day before the commencement of testing.

Fees

Time spent reviewing and approving the testing methodology, testing and inspection reports, letter of acceptance, and testing observation is assessed hourly for ‘Structural Plan Review’ as specified in Information Bulletin 501. 

References

• San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC)

• 2022 California Building Code Chapter 17: Special Inspections and Tests