Mix Design Review
We will review the proposed concrete mixes in our laboratory for conformance with the specifications.
Sample and Tag Steel
Prior to fabrication of steel, we will make a visit to the reinforcing steel supplier and collect mill certificates and sample reinforcing steel from the unbroken bundles, prior to fabrication of the steel. Testing will be as per American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A-615. Once the steel is ready for shipment, we will make another trip to the supplier and inspect to determine the steel has identical heat numbers to that already tested, and tag the steel so that it may be shipped to the job site.
Batch Plant Inspection
Our inspector will periodically check for batch weights, moisture content of aggregates, proper use of admixtures, and batching procedures.
Reinforcing Steel Placement
Prior to the pours, our inspector will inspect the reinforcing steel placement to determine that it is according to plans and specifications. Our inspector will check:
- Mill Certificate Review;
- Size and spacing of bars;
- Location and length of splices;
- Clearances;
- Cleanliness of bars;
- Spacing tolerances;
- Proper support of steel with ties.
Concrete Placement
During the pours, our inspector will be on-site continuously, as required by Code, to monitor the placement. Our inspector will:
- Determine that no bars are displaced during pouring;
- Observe cleanliness of steel;
- Determine adequacy of placement and vibratory equipment;
- Determine proper delivery rate of concrete and monitor batch times;
- Determine the correct mix is being utilized;
- Monitor slump of each truck;
- Record temperature of air and concrete;
- Cast four cylinders for compression tests per 50 cubic yards;
- Perform air checks during concrete placement;
- Observe anchor bolt/dowel installation operations to determine hole depth, embedment and cleanliness, as well as materials and workmanship. We will inspect to determine all dowels are installed in accordance with contract documents and/or manufacturer’s requirements.
Drying Shrinkage Test
We will also perform drying shrinkage tests as per relevant to ASTM Standard ASTM C157, Cal 530.
Compression Testing
We will transport all samples to our laboratory for compression testing in strict accordance with ASTM requirements. Compression test reports will be distributed to the appropriate parties.
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Tendon Test
Tendons shall be shipped directly to our Oakland facility for testing. Tendons should include identification of samples with the following information:
- Job name;
- Heat number;
- Reel number;
- Floor or level.
An affidavit certifying that these tendons were sampled from the heat and reel number identified should be supplied with the tendons. Tendon tests will be performed in accordance with ASTM A416 for ultimate strength determination only.
Tendon/Reinforcing Placement
The day before a scheduled pour, we will dispatch a qualified inspector to check the tendon and reinforcing placement for conformance to the drawings and good construction practices. Our inspector will determine compliance with approved plans, and that tendons are security tied and placed.
Concrete Placement
During the pours, our inspector will be on-site continuously, as required by Code, to monitor the placement. Our inspector will:
- Determine that no bars are displaced during pouring;
- Observe cleanliness of steel;
- Determine adequacy of placement and vibratory equipment;
- Determine proper delivery rate of concrete and monitor batch times;
- Determine the correct mix is being utilized;
- Monitor slump of each truck;
- Record temperature of air and concrete;
- Cast four cylinders for compression tests per 50 cubic yards;
- Perform air checks during concrete placement;
- Observe anchor bolt/dowel installation operations to determine hole depth, embedment and cleanliness, as well as materials and workmanship. We will inspect to determine all dowels are installed in accordance with contract documents and/or manufacturer’s requirements.
Stressing
Continuous inspection will be required during the stressing operations. All elongations and jacking forces will be recorded as the work proceeds. Elongation measurements not within the five percent tolerance will be noted and immediately brought to the attention of the contractor, engineer and owner.
Compression Testing
We will transport all samples to our laboratory for compression testing in strict accordance with ASTM requirements. Reports of compression tests will be distributed to the appropriate parties.
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PRECAST CONCRETE FABRICATION
We will provide inspection at the precast plant to determine quality. Our inspector will determine the plant and construction methods of the fabricator are satisfactory, the design and construction conforms to the code, and that the contractor is supplying the proper equipment. Our inspector’s services will include:
- Take specimens of ready-mixed concrete for slump and strength tests;
- Inspect to determine forms are true, tight, properly braced, oiled or wetted, and cleaned of debris;
- Inspect to determine reinforcing steel conforms to plans as to sizes, dimensions, spacing, splicing, and bending. Inspect to determine embeds are of specified size and have adequate concrete coverage;
- Determine reinforcing steel has the required clearance and protective encasement and the proper spacing of stirrups and ties;
- Determine that concrete is properly consolidated;
- Review necessary records of batching and mixing, placing and curing;
- Visually inspect welding of embeds for panels.
SHOTCRETE & PRE-PRODUCTION TEST PANEL
Inspection
We will provide continuous inspection of shotcrete, as required by Code. We will be performing the following:
- Determine that the reinforcing steel is placed properly prior to the arrival of concrete on-site;
- Monitor the temperature of the concrete as it is being placed;
- Check batch tickets as they arrive on-site to determine that the proper mix is being delivered;
- Monitor and control slump and water cement ratios;
- Check for rebound effects and determine that the nozzleman on-site is qualified to perform the work he is performing that day;
- Control and monitor rebound effects, nozzle distance, and velocity;
- Witness the fabrication of test panels for conformance with American Concrete Institute (ACI) standards, and observe that the test panel is shot in a manner similar to placement of shotcrete for the structure;
- The test panel(s) will be cored at our laboratory, and three samples will be tested at 28 days for compression testing.
Pre-production test panels are required to certify shotcrete nozzleman.
- Inspection of pre-production panel placement;
- Coring of test panel for nozzleman grading;
- Compression testing.
A staff engineer, in accordance with ACI procedure, will perform grading.
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Mix Design Review
We will review the proposed grout and mortar mixes in our laboratory for conformance with the specifications.
Our inspector's duties will include the following:
- Review mill test certifications of block and reinforcing steel;
- Inspect to determine size and spacing of dowels;
- Inspect to determine that cleanouts are provided for high-lift grouting methods;
- Inspect proper lay-up of block units;
- Inspect reinforcing steel prior to grouting;
- Inspect dowels, anchor bolts and inserts, to make sure they are in place and properly secured prior to grouting;
- Inspect to determine proper consolidation of grout;
- Check that curing requirements are being followed.
Materials Testing:
- Sample masonry block for compression tests, linear shrinkage, moisture and absorption per ASTM C140;
- Cast samples of mortar and grout for compression tests. Per Uniform Building Code (UBC) grout prisms shall be tested at 28-days;
- Witness preparation of composite prisms and test for compressive strength in our lab. Uniform Building Code (UBC) requires five tests 28 days prior to production, and three for every 5,000 square feet of wall for each block size.
Shop Inspection
- Review of welding procedure specifications;
- Material identification and mill certificate review;
- Observe the utilization of certified welders and approved welding procedures;
- Visual inspection of welding to determine compliance with contract documents;
- Nondestructive testing of moment welds and column splices;
- Confirm approximate preheat temperature;
- Continuous inspection of multi-pass fillet welds, groove welds and reinforcing steel welding.
Field Inspection
- Observe the utilization of certified welders and approved procedures;
- Confirm approximate preheat temperature;
- Nondestructive testing of moment welds and column splices;
- Inspect to determine and observe proper installation and tightening of high strength bolts;
- Visual inspection of welding to determine compliance with contract documents;
- Continuous inspection of multi-pass fillet welds, groove welds and reinforcing steel welding.
Metal Deck/Shear Studs
Intermittent visual inspection will be conducted for metal deck and shear stud welding.
High-Strength Bolting
As required by the Uniform Building Code, at least two bolts per connection, or a minimum of ten percent (10%) of all high-strength bolts in slip critical connections, will be tested to the required torque per ASTM guidelines. High-strength bolts, nuts and anchors will be tested per size and heat, as specified. Bolts and shear studs will be Lab tested as required by ASTM A325 or A490 assemblies.
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Shop Inspection
- Material identification and mill certificate review;
- Pre-qualification of welders and procedures;
- Visual inspection of welding to determine compliance with contract documents;
- Continuous inspection of multi-pass fillet welds, full penetration welds, and reinforcing steel welding.
Field Inspection
- Pre-qualification of welders and procedures;
- Visual inspection of all welds;
- Torque testing of high-strength bolts using a calibrated torque wrench;
- Visual inspection of welding to determine compliance with contract documents;
- Continuous inspection of reinforcing steel welds, multi-pass fillet welds, and full penetration welds.
In addition to the typical Special Inspection Services CEL also provides Inspectors with expertise in many other areas including but not limited to:
- Material identification and mill certificate review;
- Pre-qualification of welders and procedures;
- Visual inspection of welding to determine compliance with contract documents;
- Continuous inspection of multi-pass fillet welds, full penetration welds, and reinforcing steel welding.
B. Scope of Services
UBC Standard 43-8 requires verification of 25 percent of structural steel columns and primary beams on each story, and on 10 percent of secondary beams. Floor decking requires 10 readings per 10,000 square feet. Density will be checked on one beam, column and floor per 10,000 square feet of floor area in accordance with ASTM E-605. If required by the project documents, Adhesion/Cohesion testing will be performed.
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Our inspector will:
- Determine materials used are in compliance with submittal and/or project documents.
Our inspections will include the following:
- Substrait preparation;
- Applicable members are fireproofed;
- Film thickness readings are taken for every 100 square feet of material applied.
Final inspection to assure all members are adequately covered.
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Submittal Review/Pre-job Meeting
Review the roofing contractor's roofing system submittal for:
- General conformance to the project specifications for roofing type;
- System equivalency to that specified;
- Ply/membrane type;
- Type bitumen/adhesives;
- Pre-job roofing conference attendance (4 hours), including pre-roofing deck walk.
Field Inspection for Built-up Roofing
- General conformance to the specifications;
- Monitor material storage;
- Monitor installation per manufacturer's recommendations;
- Determine material type;
- Base nailing/fastener schedule;
- Observe installation temperatures of system components;
- Monitor application rates of bitumen’s/adhesives;
- Ply application;
- Flashing application;
- Cutouts of built-up roof for unit weight analysis.
WATERPROOFING/CAULKING SEALANTS
Our inspector will:
- Determine materials used are in compliance with submittal and/or project documents;
- Determine vertical and horizontal membrane joints compliance to manufacturers installation guidelines and/or project documents;
- Determine substrate conditions;
- Monitor contractor's operations for sealing penetrations;
- Observe repairs to damaged membrane during backfilling operations;
- Observe repair of existing cracks on existing substrate;
- Monitor attachment of waterproofing to substrate and document compliance/non-compliance procedures;
- Monitor and document installation of drain tile (if required).
FIRE STOPPING & SMOKE SEALS
We will provide periodic inspection of fire stopping and fire safing material consistent with approved project plans and specifications, and manufacturing product data sheets.
Including the Following:
- Substrait preparation;
- Backer rod placement;
- Installation of fire safing and fire stopping materials.
- Test all smoke detectors
- Test all duct detectors
- Pull all pull stations
- Flow test all sprinkler flow switches and time of alarm
- Test all tamper switches
- Verify stair pressurization points
- Verify all fire/smoke damper operations and time
- Verify air handling functions
- Verify control panel operation and notification of lights
- Witness elevator recall
- Verify pressurization between floors
- Verify all addressable devises address to panel
- Verify labeling of all devices
- Verify time of emergency generator cut-in
- Check all fireman’s phone jacks
- Check battery backup time
- Verify all items on matrix work properly
- All contractors to have one (1) person on hand to resolve any problems
- Verify door pulls at 15lbs.
- Verify all air balance reports provided by air balancers
- Verify duct pressurization test including gypboard shafts
- Verify angles around fire/smoke dampers
- Verify access doors to damper and motors
- Verify access to electrical panels
- Verify all strobes and speaker operate properly
- Verify all doors operate properly, i.e. mags and locks
- Test all control tubing related to smoke control
- Verify signal circuit voltage drop
- Submit report to engineer
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST
We will provide a separate Quality Control Specialist on-site for each of the areas of responsibility noted in the specifications, Section 1450, paragraph 1.5.3. The Quality Control Specialist shall report to and assist the Quality Control Manager, and will have no duties other than performing the three phases of control and preparing documentation required by the contract documents. The Quality Control Specialist will attend coordination and mutual understanding meetings, quality control meetings, and perform the three phases of control and preparation of documentation for each definable feature of work in their area of responsibility on a full-time basis.
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QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER
We will provide a licensed California Engineer as a Quality Control Manager for this project. He will perform his services as outlined in Section 1400 of the specifications, to include the generation of a quality control program, and management and implication of the quality control program. He will attend the coordination and mutual understanding meeting, conduct quality control meetings, perform the three phases of control, perform submittal review and approval, determine that testing is performed per project specifications, and provide quality control certifications and documentation required in the contract documents. The Quality Control Manager is also responsible for managing and coordinating the three phases of control documentation performed by the quality control organization personnel, including the quality control specialist services, the testing laboratory personnel, or any other inspection and testing personnel required by the contract documents on a full-time basis.
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WOOD FRAMING INSPECTION
As required by the project specifications, we will observe materials and installation operations for compliance with the project documents. Video taping includes components of the wood framing as follows:
- Bolts in concrete;
- Size and grade of lumber;
- Moisture content of wood members;
- Nailing inspections to verify nailing patterns;
- Size and type of nails;
- Size and type of hold downs;
- Size and type of seismic straps;
- Installation of epoxied hold down bolts, if applicable
- Protection of wood member in storage.
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION
We will inspect to determine work is installed per approved project plans and specifications, and applicable building codes and standards. Our inspector will:
- Determine materials comply with product listing and manufacturer’s data sheet;
- Check conduit size, type and runs;
- Check polarity at 120 volt systems;
- Determine conductor installation is not damaged;
- Check breakers;
- Witness megger test;
- Determine wiring is installed per Section 300 of the N.E.C.;
- Determine proper working clearances;
- Inspect grounding per Section 250 of the N.E.C.
PLUMBING INSPECTION
We will perform inspection to determine that work is installed per approved project plans and specifications, and applicable building codes and standards. Our inspector will:
- Check DWV size and bracing;
- Check water piping type, size, bracing and fall;
- Check location of fixtures;
- Check access compliance as detailed on approved drawings;
- Check underground pipe bedding material;
- Witness system testing per project specifications and code requirements.