Download - Chapter 1 General Requirements (Edited by ACA 15feb10)

CHAPTER 1 – General Requirements 1-1

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS...........3

SECTION 101 - TITLE, PURPOSE AND SCOPE......3

101.1 Title.....................................................................3101.2 Purpose................................................................3101.3 Scope...................................................................3101.4 Alternative Systems.............................................3

SECTION 102 - DEFINITIONS....................................3

SECTION 103 - CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS4

103.1 Nature of Occupancy...........................................4

SECTION 104 - DESIGN REQUIREMENTS.............5

104.1 Strength Requirement..........................................5104.2 Serviceability Requirement.................................5

104.2.1 General.........................................................5104.3 Analysis...............................................................5

104.3.1 Stability Against Overturning......................6104.3.2 Self-Straining Forces....................................6104.3.3 Anchorage....................................................6

104.4 Foundation Investigation.....................................6104.5 Design Review....................................................6104. 6 Erection of Structural Framing...........................6

SECTION 105 - POSTING AND INSTRUMENTATION 7

105.1 Posting of Live Loads.........................................7105.2 Earthquake Recording Instrumentation...............7

105.2.1 General.........................................................7105.2.2 Location........................................................7105.2.3 Maintenance.................................................7105.2.4 Instrumentation of Selected Buildings.........7

SECTION 106 - SPECIFICATIONS, DRAWINGS AND CALCULATIONS 7

106.1 General................................................................7106.2 Specifications......................................................7106.3 Design Drawings.................................................7

106.3.1 General.........................................................7106.3.2 Required Information...................................7106.3.2.1 General Information..................................7106.3.2.2 Structural Concrete....................................8106.3.2.3 Structural Steel..........................................8

106.4 Calculations.........................................................8106.4.1 General.........................................................8106.4.2 Basis of Design Summary............................8106.4.3 Computer Programs......................................8106.4.4 Model Analysis............................................9106.5 As-built Drawings...........................................9

SECTION 107 - STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS, TESTS AND STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS 9

107.1 General................................................................9107.2 Definitions...........................................................9107.3 Inspection Program...........................................10

National Structural Code of the Philippines 6th Edition Volume 1

1-2 CHAPTER 1 – General Requirements

107.4 Structural Inspector...........................................10107.4.1 Qualifications.............................................10107.4.2 Duties and Responsibilities........................10

107.5 Types of Work for Inspection...........................10107.5.1 Concrete.....................................................10107.5.2 Bolts Installed in Concrete.........................10107.5.3 Special Moment-Resisting Concrete Frames.10107.5.4 Reinforcing Steel and Prestressing Steel Tendons. 10107.5.4.1 General....................................................10107.5.4.2 General....................................................10107.5.5 Structural Welding.....................................11107.5.5.1 General....................................................11107.5.5.2 Special Moment-Resisting Steel Frames.11107.5.5.3 Welding of Reinforcing Steel..................11107.5.6 High-strength Bolting.................................11107.5.7 Structural Masonry.....................................11107.5.7.1 General....................................................11107.5.7.2 General....................................................11107.5.8 Reinforced Gypsum Concrete....................11107.5.9 Insulating Concrete Fill..............................11107.5.10 Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Materials...12107.5.11 Piling, Drilled Piers and Caissons............12107.5.12 Shotcrete...................................................12107.5.13 Special Grading, Excavation and Filling..12107.5.14 Special Cases............................................12107.5.15 Non-Destructive Testing..........................12

107.6 Approved Fabricators........................................12107.7 Prefabricated Construction................................12

107.7.1 General.......................................................12107.7.1.1 Purpose....................................................12107.7.1.2 Scope.......................................................12107.7.1.3 Definition................................................12107.7.2 Tests of Materials.......................................12107.7.3 Tests of Assemblies....................................12107.7.4 Connections................................................13107.7.5 Pipes and Conduits.....................................13107.7.6 Certificate and Inspection...........................13107.7.6.1 Materials..................................................13107.7.6.2 Certificate................................................13107.7.6.3 Certifying Agency...................................13107.7.6.4 Field Erection..........................................13107.7.6.5 Continuous Inspection.............................13

107.8 Non-destructive Testing....................................13107.8.1 General.......................................................13107.8.2 Testing Program.........................................13107.8.2.1 General....................................................13107.8.2.2 General....................................................14107.8.2.3 General....................................................14107.8.3 Others........................................................14

107.9 Structural Observation.......................................14107.9.1 General.......................................................14107.9.2 Structural Observer....................................14107.9.3 Construction Stages for Observations........14

SECTION 108 – EXISTING STRUCTURES............14

Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines


108.1 General..............................................................14108.2 Maintenance.....................................................14108.3 Additions, Alterations or Repairs......................14

108.3.1 General.......................................................14108.3.2 When Allowed by the Building Official.. . .14108.3.3 Nonstructural..............................................15108.3.4 Historic Buildings......................................15

108.4 Change in Use...................................................15

SECTION 109 - GRADING AND EARTHWORK. 15

109.1 General..............................................................15109.1.1 Scope..........................................................15

109.2 Definitions.........................................................15109.3 Permits Required..............................................16

109.3.1 Permits Required........................................16109.3.2 Exempted Work..........................................16

109.4 Hazards..............................................................17109.5 Grading Permit Requirements...........................17

109.5.1 General.......................................................17109.5.2 Grading Designation..................................17109.5.3 Engineered Grading Requirements............17109.5.4 Geotechnical Engineering Report..............18109.5.5 Engineering Geology Report......................18109.5.6 Regular Grading Requirements..................18

109.6 Grading Inspection............................................18109.6.1 General.......................................................18109.6.2 Civil Engineer............................................18109.6.3 Geotechnical Engineer...............................18109.6.4 Engineering Geologist................................18109.6.5 Permittee.....................................................19109.6.6 Building Official........................................19109.6.7 Notification of Noncompliance..................19109.6.8 Transfer of Responsibility..........................19

109.7 Completion of Work..........................................19109.7.1 Final Reports..............................................19109.7.2 Notification of Completion........................19

CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 101 - TITLE, PURPOSE AND SCOPE

101.1 Title

These regulations shall be known as the National Structural Code of the Philippines 6th Edition 2010, may be cited as such and will be referred to herein as “this code."



101.2 Purpose

The purpose of this code is to provide minimum load requirements for the design of buildings and other structures and minimum standards and guidelines to safeguard life or limb, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, quality of materials pertaining to the structural aspects of all buildings and structures within this jurisdiction.

101.3 Scope

The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, maintenance and use of any building or structure within this jurisdiction, except transmission towers and poles, hydraulic flood control structures, and indigeneous family dwellings.

Special structures such as but not limited to storage silos and liquid product tanks should be referred to special state of practice literature but shall refer to provisions of this code as a minimum wherever applicable.

Following are the different volumes of this code:

Volume I - Buildings, Towers and Other Vertical Structures

Volume II - Bridges Volume III - HousingVolume IV - RailwaysVolume V - Ports and Harbors

For additions, alterations, maintenance, and change in use of buildings and structures, see Section 108.

Where, in any specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of construction or other requirements, the most restrictive provisions shall govern except in the case of single family dwellings. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable. Wherever in this code reference is made to an appendix, the provisions in the appendix shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

101.4 Alternative Systems

The provisions of this code are not intended to prevent the use of any material, alternate design or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this code, provided any alternate has been permitted and its use authorized by the building official.

Sponsors of any system of design or construction within the scope of this code, the adequacy of which had been

shown by successful use and by analysis and test, but which does not conform to or is not covered by this code, shall have the right to present the data on which their design is based to the building official or to a board of examiners appointed by the building official. This board shall be composed of competent structural engineers and shall have authority to investigate the data so submitted, to require tests, and to formulate rules governing design and construction of such systems to meet the intent of this code. These rules, when approved and promulgated by the building official, shall be of the same force and effect as the provisions of this code.

SECTION 102 - DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of this code, certain terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this chapter and elsewhere in this code where specific definitions are provided. Terms, phrases and words used in the singular include the plural and vice versa. Terms, phrases and words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and vice versa.

The following terms are defined for use in this chapter:

ADDITION is an extension or increase in floor area or height of a building or structure.

ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN is a method of proportioning structural members such that elastically computed stresses produced in the members by nominal loads do not exceed specified allowable stresses (also called WORKING STRESS DESIGN).

ALTER or ALTERATION is any change, addition or modification in construction or occupancy.

APPROVED as to materials and types of construction, refers to approval by the building official as the result of investigation and tests conducted by the building official, or by reason of accepted principles or tests by recognized authorities, technical or scientific organizations.

AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION is the organization, political subdivision, office or individual charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the provisions of this code.

BUILDING is any structure usually enclosed by walls and a roof, constructed to provide support or shelter for an intended use or occupancy.



BUILDING, EXISTING, is a building erected prior to the adoption of this code, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

BUILDING OFFICIAL is the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or the building official's duly authorized representative.

LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN (LRFD) METHOD is a method of proportioning structural elements using load and resistance factors such that no applicable limit state is reached when the structure is subjected to all appropriate load combinations. The term "LRFD" is used in the design of steel OCCUPANCY is the purpose for which a building or other structures or part thereof, is used or intended to be used.

STRENGTH DESIGN is a method of proportioning structural members such that the computed forces produced in the members by the factored load do not exceed the member design strength.

STRUCTURE is that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts joined together in some definite manner.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER is a registered Civil Engineer with special qualification in the practice of Structural Engineering as recognized by the Board of Civil Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission as endorsed by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers through the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, or Specialist Members of the Structural Engineering Specialty Division of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

SECTION 103 - CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS

103.1 Nature of Occupancy

Buildings and other structures shall be classified, based on the nature of occupancy, according to Table 103-1 for purposes of applying wind and earthquake in Chapter 2. Each building or other structures shall be assigned to the highest applicable occupancy category or categories. Assignment of the same structure to multiple occupancy categories based on use and the type of loading condition being evaluated (e.g. wind or seismic) shall be permissible.

When buildings or other structures have multiple uses (occupancies), the relationship between the uses of various parts of the building or other structure and the independence of the structural system for those various parts shall be examined. The classification for each independent structural system of a multiple-use building or other structure shall be that of the highest usage group in any part of the building or other structure that is dependent on that basic structural system.

Table 103-1 - Occupancy Category

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY

OCCUPANCY OR FUNCTION OF STRUCTURE

I Essential Facilities

Occupancies having surgery and emergency treatment areas,

Fire and police stations,

Garages and shelters for emergency vehicles and emergency aircraft,

Structures and shelters in

emergency preparedness centers,

Aviation control towers,

Structures and equipment in communication centers and other facilities required for emergency response,

Standby power-generating equipment for Category I facilities,

Tanks or other structures containing housing or supporting water or other fire-suppression material or equipment required for the protection of Category I, II or III structures.

School buildings of more than one storey.

Hospitals and designated evacuation centers



Table 103-1 (continued) - Occupancy Category

OCCUPANCY CATEGORY

OCCUPANCY OR FUNCTION OF STRUCTURE

II Hazardous Facilities

Occupancies and structures therein housing or supporting toxic or explosive chemicals or substances,

Non-building structures storing, supporting or containing quantities of toxic or explosive substances.

III Special Occupancy Structures

Single storey school buildings

Buildings with an assembly room with an occupant capacity of 1,000 or more,

Educational buildings such as museums libraries, auditorium etc with a capacity of 300 or more students,

Buildings used for college or adult education with a capacity of 500 or more students,

Institutional buildings with 50 or more incapacitated patients, but not included in Category I,

Mental hospitals, sanitariums, jails, prison and other buildings where personal liberties of inmates are similarly restrained,

All structures with an occupancy 5,000 or more persons,

Structures and equipment in power-generating stations, and other public utility facilities not included in Category I or Category II above, and required for continued operation.

IV Standard Occupancy Structures

All structures housing occupancies or having functions not listed in Category I, II or III above and Category V below.

V Miscellaneous Structures

Private garages, carports, shed, , and fences over 1.8 meters high.

SECTION 104 - DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

104.1 Strength Requirement

Buildings and other structures and all portions thereof shall be designed and constructed to sustain, within the limitations specified in this code, all loads set forth in Chapter 2 and elsewhere in this code, combined in accordance with Section 203.

Design shall be in accordance with Strength Design, Load and Resistance Factor Design, or Allowable Stress Design methods, as permitted by the applicable materials chapters.

Exception:

Unless otherwise required by the building official, buildings or portions thereof that are constructed in accordance with the conventional light-framing requirements specified in Chapter 6 and the NSCP Volume III on Housing shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this section.

104.2 Serviceability Requirement

104.2.1 General.

Structural systems and members thereof shall be designed to have adequate stiffness to limit deflections, lateral drifts, vibration, or any other deformations that adversely affect the intended use and performance of buildings and other structures. The design shall also consider durability, resistance to exposure to weather or aggressive environment, crack control, and other conditions that affect the intended use and performance of buildings, towers and other vertical structures.

104.3 Analysis

Any system or method of construction to be used shall be based on a rational analysis in accordance with well- established principles of mechanics that take into account equilibrium, general stability, geometric compatibility and both short- and long-term material properties. Members that tend to accumulate residual deformations under repeated service loads shall have included in their analysis the added eccentricities expected to occur during their service life. Such analysis shall result in a system that provides a complete load path capable of transferring all loads and forces from their point of origin to the load- resisting elements. The analysis shall include, but not be



limited to, the provisions of Sections 104.3.1 through 104.3.3.

104.3.1 Stability Against Overturning.

Every structure shall be designed to resist the overturning effects caused by the lateral forces specified. See Section 206.6 for retaining walls, Section 207 for wind loading and Section 208 for earthquake loading.

104.3.2 Self-Straining Forces.

Provisions shall be made for anticipated self-straining forces arising from differential settlement of foundations and from restrained dimensional changes due to temperature, moisture, shrinkage, heave, creep and similar effects.

104.3.3 Anchorage.

Anchorage of the roof to walls and columns, and of walls and columns to foundations shall be provided and adequately detailed to resist the uplift and sliding forces that result from the application of the prescribed forces.

Concrete and masonry walls shall be anchored to all floors, roofs and other structural elements that provide lateral support for the wall. Such anchorage shall provide a positive direct connection capable of resisting the horizontal forces specified in Chapter 2 but not less than the minimum forces in Section 206.4. In addition, in Seismic Zone 4, diaphragm to wall anchorage using embedded straps shall have the straps attached to or hooked around the reinforcing steel or otherwise terminated so as to effectively transfer forces to the reinforcing steel. Walls shall be designed to resist bending between anchors where the anchor spacing exceeds 1.2 meters. Required anchors in masonry walls of hollow units or cavity walls shall be embedded in a reinforced grouted structural element of the wall. See Sections 208.7, 208.8.2.7 and 208.8.2.8 for earthquake design requirements. Stiffener beams and columns adequately anchord to the main frames, shall be considered as necessary to ensure proper basket effect on the masonry blocks to prevent collapse provided its contribution to the overall stiffness of the structure is recognized.

104.4 Foundation Investigation

Soil explorations shall be required for buildings, towers and other vertical structures, falling under Categories I, II and III in accordance with Table 103-1 or as required by the building official or if the site- specific conditions make the foundation investigation necessary.

Detailed requirements for foundation investigations shall be in accordance with Section 303 of this code.

104.5 Design Review

The design calculations, drawings, specifications, and other design related documents for buildings, towers and other vertical structures with irregular configuration in Occupancy Categories I, II or III within Seismic Zone 4 shall be subject to a review by an independent recognized structural engineer to be employed by the owner. The structural engineer performing the review shall have comparable qualifications and experience as the structural engineer responsible for the design. The reviewer shall obtain a professional waiver from the engineer-of-record who shall be expected to grant such waiver in keeping with ethical standards of the profession, as adopted in the ASEP Guidelines for Peer Review.

The design review shall, as a minimum, verify the general compliance with this code which shall include, but not be limited to, the review of the design load criteria, the design concept, mathematical model and techniques.

The following may also be verified, that there are no major errors in pertinent calculations, drawings and specifications and may also ensure that the structure as reviewed, meet minimum standards for safety, adequacy and acceptable standard design practice.

The engineer-of-record shall submit the plans and specifications, a signed and sealed statement by the structural engineer doing the review that the above review has been performed and that minimum standards have been met.

See Section 208.6.6.3.2 for design review requirements when nonlinear time-history analysis is used for earthquake design.

The design review shall not in any way transfer or diminish the responsibility of the engineer-of-record.

104. 6 Erection of Structural Framing

Walls and structural framing shall be erected true and plumb in accordance with the design.



SECTION 105 - POSTING AND INSTRUMENTATION

105.1 Posting of Live Loads

The live loads for which each floor or portion thereof of a commercial or industrial building has been designed shall have such design live loads conspicuously posted by the owner in that part of each story in which they apply, using durable metal signs. It shall be unlawful to remove or deface such notices. The occupant of the building shall be responsible for keeping the actual load below the allowable limits.

105.2 Earthquake Recording Instrumentation

105.2.1 General.

Unless waived by the building official, every building in Seismic Zone 4 over thirty (30) storeys in height shall be provided with not less than three approved recording accelerographs. The accelerographs shall be interconnected for common start and common timing.

105.2.2 Location.

The instruments shall be located in the basement, midportion, and near the top of the building. Each instrument shall be located so that access is maintained at all times and is unobstructed by room contents. A sign stating “MAINTAIN CLEAR ACCESS TO THIS INSTRUMENT” shall be posted in a conspicuous location.

105.2.3 Maintenance.

Maintenance and service of the instruments shall be provided by the owner of the building, subject to the monitoring of the building official. Data produced by the instruments shall be made available to the building official or the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on request.

105.2.4 Instrumentation of Selected Buildings.

All owners of existing structures selected by the authorities having jurisdiction shall provide accessible space for the installation of appropriate earthquake-recording instruments. Location of said instruments shall be determined by the authorities having jurisdiction.

The authorities having jurisdiction shall make arrangements to provide, maintain and service the

instruments. Data shall be the property of the authorities having jurisdiction, but copies of individual records shall be made available to the owner of the building and to the public on request and after the payment of an appropriate fee.

SECTION 106 - SPECIFICATIONS, DRAWINGS AND CALCULATIONS

106.1 General

Copies of design calculations, reports, plans, specifications and inspection program for all constructions shall bear signature and seal of the engineer-of-record.

106.2 Specifications

The specifications shall contain information covering the material and construction requirements. The materials and construction requirements shall conform to the specifications referred to in Chapters 3 to 7 of this code.

106.3 Design Drawings

106.3.1 General.

The design drawings shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed. The drawings shall show a complete design with sizes, sections, relative locations and connection details of the various members. Floor levels, column centers and offsets shall be dimensioned. Where available and feasible, archive copies shall be maintained in durable medium such as compact disc (CD) and digital versatile disc (DVD).

106.3.2 Required Information.

The design drawings shall contain, but not be limited to, the general information listed in Section 106.3.2.1 and material specific information listed in Sections 106.3.2.2 and 106.3.2.3, as applicable.

106.3.2.1 General Information.

1. Name and date of issue of building code and supplements, if any, to which the design conforms.

2. Strengths or designations of materials to be used.

3. Design strengths of underlying soil or rock. The soil or rock profile, when available, shall be provided.



4. Live loads and other loads used in design and clearly indicated in the floor plans.

5. Seismic design basis including the total base shear coefficient; a description of the lateral load resisting system; and the fundamental natural period in the design in each direction under consideration.

6. Provisions for dimensional changes resulting from creep, shrinkage, heave and temperature.

7. Camber of trusses, beams and girders, if required.

8. Explanation or definition of symbols and abbreviations used in the drawings.

9. Engineer's professional license number and expiration date of the current Professional Regulation Commission registration.

106.3.2.2 Structural Concrete

1. Specified compressive strength of concrete at stated ages or stages of construction for which each part of structure is designed. The 28-day compressive strength shall be the basis of design in service.

2. Anchorage embedment lengths or cutoff points of steel reinforcement; and location and length of lap splices.

3. Type and location of welded splices and mechanical connections of reinforcement.

4. Magnitude and location of prestressing forces.

5. Minimum concrete compressive strength at time of post-tensioning.

6. Stressing sequence for post-tensioned tendons.

7. Details and location of all contraction or isolation joints specified for plain concrete in Section 422.

8. Statement if concrete slab is designed as a structural diaphragm, as specified in Section 421.8.3 and 421.8.4.

106.3.2.3 Structural Steel

1. Type or types of construction as defined in Section 501.2.2.

2. Loads and design requirements necessary for preparation of shop drawings including shears, moments, and axial forces to be resisted by all members and their connections.

3. The type of connection for joints using high-strength bolts.

4. Stiffener and bracing requirements.

5. Description or explanation of welding and inspection symbols used on the design and shop drawings.

6. Notes for joints in which welding sequence and technique of welding are required to be carefully controlled to minimize distortion.

106.4 Calculations

106.4.1 General.

Calculations pertinent to the structural design of structures and its component members shall be filed with the design drawings.

106.4.2 Basis of Design Summary.

The calculations shall include a summary of the criteria and methodologies used in the design. This summary shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:

1. Name and date of issue of building code and supplements, if any, to which the design conforms.

2. Strengths or designations of materials to be used for each component of the structure.

3. Design strengths and other design parameters of the underlying soil or rock.

4. Live loads and other loads used in design.

5. The basis of the seismic and wind design forces.

6. A description of the structure's gravity and lateral load resisting systems. A description of the roof, floor, foundation and other component systems shall also be provided.

7. A description procedures used in the structural analysis. This shall include the section and material properties used, loading combinations considered, second-order effects considerations, and any simplifying assumptions made.

106.4.3 Computer Programs.

Calculations may include the results from an electronic digital computer analysis. The following requirements apply to calculations which include such computer output.

1. A drawing of the complete mathematical model used to represent the structure in the computer-generated analysis shall be provided. Design assumptions shall be clearly described.

2. A program description giving the program name, the version number, and the company which developed the program and its address shall be provided as part of the computation documentation. A program User's



Guide shall also be made available, upon request, and shall contain the information to determine the nature and extent of the analysis, verify the input data, interpret the result, and determine whether the computations comply with the requirements of this code.

3. Data provided, as computer input shall be clearly distinguished from those computed in the program. The information required in the output shall include date of processing, program identification, and identification of structures being analyzed, all input data, units and final results. An archived copy of all computer runs shall be stored in CD or DVD.

4. The first sheet of each computer run shall be signed of the engineer-of-record.

106.4.4 Model Analysis.

Results from model analysis and experimental studies shall be permitted to supplement calculations. The results shall be accompanied by a description of the rational basis, set-up, methodology and other information required for the evaluation of the results.

106.5 As-built Drawings

As-built drawings shall be prepared by the permit holder or a person retained to provide such services to document the work as actually constructed. The as-built drawings shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall indicate the sizes, sections, relative locations, and connection details of the various structural members as actually constructed. Strengths of materials, based on required tests, shall also be indicated.

Work items which requires modifications of or are otherwise different from those shown in the design drawings filed with the building official shall be accordingly marked in the as-built drawings and provided with notes indicating the basis of such modifications or changes. The basis of modification or change shall include reference to supplemental design drawings, construction bulletins, or instructions from the owner, owner's representative or structural engineer authorizing such modifications or changes.

The signature, seal, name and professional license number of the structural inspector shall be included in the as-built drawings.

Copies of the as-built drawings shall be provided to the owner, constructor, engineer-of-record and the building official.

SECTION 107 - STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS, TESTS AND STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS

107.1 General

All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection throughout the various work stages. One or more structural inspectors who are registered civil engineers with experience in structural construction, who shall undertake competent inspection during construction on the types of work listed under Section 107.5, shall be employed by the owner or the engineer-of- record acting as the owner's agent.

Exception:

The building official may waive the requirement for the employment of a structural inspector if the construction is of a minor nature.

In addition to structural inspections, structural observations shall be performed when required by Section 107.9.

107.2 Definitions

The following terms are defined for use in this section:

CONTINUOUS STRUCTURAL INSPECTION is a structural inspection where the structural inspector is on the site at all times observing the work requiring structural inspection.

PERIODIC STRUCTURAL INSPECTION is a structural inspection where the inspections are made on a periodic basis and satisfy the requirements of continuous inspection, provided this periodic scheduled inspection is performed as outlined in the inspection program prepared by the structural engineer.

STRUCTURAL INSPECTION is the visual observation by a structural engineer of a particular type of construction work or operation for the purpose of ensuring its general compliance to the approved plans and specifications and the applicable workmanship provisions of this code as well as overall construction safety at various stages of construction.

STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION is the visual observation of the structural system by the structural engineer responsible for the design (see Section 107.9.2), for its general conformance to the approved plans and specifications, at significant construction stages and at



completion of the structural system. Structural observation does not include or waive the responsibility for the structural inspections required by section 107.1 or other sections of this code.

107.3 Inspection Program

The structural engineer-of-record shall prepare an appropriate testing and inspection program that shall be submitted to the building official. The inspection program shall designate the portions of the work that require structural inspections and indicate the duties of the structural inspectors.

When structural observation is required by Section 107.9, the inspection program shall describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur.

The inspection program shall include samples of inspection reports and provide time limits for submission of reports.

107.4 Structural Inspector

107.4.1 Qualifications.

The structural inspector shall be a registered civil engineer or a qualified person under the supervision of a registered civil engineer who shall demonstrate competence, to the satisfaction of the structural engineer, for inspection of the particular type of construction or operation requiring structural inspection.

107.4.2 Duties and Responsibilities.

The structural inspector shall observe the work assigned for conformance to the approved design drawings and specifications.

The structural inspector shall also verify that the as-built drawings (see Section 106.5) pertaining to the work assigned reflect the condition as constructed.The structural inspector shall furnish inspection reports to the building official, the structural engineer, and other designated persons. All discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction, then, if uncorrected, to the proper design authority and to the building official.

The structural inspector shall submit a final report duly signed and sealed stating whether the work requiring structural inspection was, to the best of the inspector's knowledge, in conformance to the approved plans and specifications and the applicable workmanship provisions of this code.

107.5 Types of Work for Inspection

Except as provided in Section 107.1, the types of work listed below shall be inspected by a structural inspector.

107.5.1 Concrete.

During the taking of test specimens and placing of reinforced concrete. See Section 107.5.12 for shotcrete.

Exceptions:

1. Concrete for foundations of residential buildings accommodating 10 or fewer persons, or buildings falling under Category V of Table 103-1, provided the building official finds that a structural hazard does not exist.

2. For foundation concrete, other than cast-in-place drilled piles or caissons, where the structural design is based on an f’c not greater than 17 MPa.

3. Non-structural slabs on grade, including prestressed slabs on grade when effective prestress in concrete is less than 1.0 MPa.

4. Site work concrete fully supported on earth and concrete where no special hazard exists.

107.5.2 Bolts Installed in Concrete.

Prior to and during the placement of concrete around bolts when stress increases permitted by Footnote 5 of Section 423 are utilized.

107.5.3 Special Moment-Resisting Concrete Frames. For moment frames resisting design seismic load in structures within Seismic Zone 4, the structural inspector shall provide reports to the engineer-of-record and shall provide continuous inspection of the placement of the reinforcement and concrete.

107.5.4 Reinforcing Steel and Prestressing Steel Tendons.

107.5.4.1 General.

During all stressing and grouting of tendons in prestressed concrete.

107.5.4.2 General.

During placing of reinforcing steel and prestressing tendons for all concrete required to have structural inspection by Section 107.5.1.



Exception:

The structural inspector need not be present continuously during placing of reinforcing steel and prestressing tendons, provided the structural inspector has inspected for conformance to the approved plans prior to the closing of forms or the delivery of concrete to the jobsite.

107.5.5 Structural Welding.

107.5.5.1 General.

During the welding of any member or connection that is designed to resist loads and forces required by this code.

Exceptions:

1. Welding done in an approved fabricator's shop in accordance with Section 107.6.

2. The structural inspector need not be continuously present during welding of the following items, provided the materials, qualifications of welding procedures and welders are verified prior to the start of work; periodic inspections are made of work in progress; and a visual inspection of all welds is made prior to completion or prior to shipment of shop welding:

a) Single-pass fillet welds not exceeding 8 mm in size.

b) Floor and roof deck welding.

c) Welded studs when used for structural diaphragm or composite systems.

d) Welded sheet steel for cold-formed steel framing members such as studs and joists.

e) Welding of stairs and railing systems.

107.5.5.2 Special Moment-Resisting Steel Frames.

During the non-destructive testing (NDT) of welds specified in Section 107.8 of this code. The use of certified welders shall be required for welding structural steel connections for this type of frame. Critical joint connections shall be subjected to non-destructive testing using certified NDT technicians.

107.5.5.3 Welding of Reinforcing Steel.

During the non-destructive testing of welds.

107.5.6 High-strength Bolting.

The inspection of high-strength A325 and A490 bolts shall be in accordance with approved nationally recognized standards and the requirements of this section.

While the work is in progress, the structural inspector shall determine that the requirements for bolts, nuts, washers and paint; bolted parts; and installation and tightening in such standards are met. Such inspections may be performed on a periodic basis as defined in Section 107.2. The structural inspector shall observe the calibration procedures when such procedures are required by the plans or specifications and shall monitor the installation of bolts to determine that all plies of connected materials have been drawn together and that the selected procedure is properly used to tighten all bolts.

107.5.7 Structural Masonry.

107.5.7.1 General.

For masonry, other than fully grouted open-end hollow-unit masonry, during preparation and taking of any required prisms or test specimens, placing of all masonry units, placement of reinforcement, inspection of grout space, immediately prior to closing of cleanouts, and during all grouting operations.

Exception:

For hollow-unit masonry where the fm is no more than 10 MPa for concrete units or 18 MPa for clay units, structural inspection may be performed as required for fully grouted open-end hollow-unit masonry specified in Section 107.5.7.2.

107.5.7.2 General.

For fully grouted open-end hollow-unit masonry during preparation and taking of any required prisms or test specimens, at the start of laying units, after the placement of reinforcing steel, grout space prior to each grouting operation, and during all grouting operations.

Exception:

Structural inspection as required in Sections 107.5.7.1 and 107.5.7.2 need not be provided when design stresses have been adjusted as specified in Chapter 7 to permit noncontinuous inspection.

107.5.8 Reinforced Gypsum Concrete.

When cast-in-place Class B gypsum concrete is being mixed and placed.

107.5.9 Insulating Concrete Fill.

During the application of insulating concrete fill when used as part of a structural system.



Exception:

The structural inspections may be limited to an initial inspection to check the deck surface and placement of reinforcing steel. The structural inspector shall monitor the preparation of compression test specimens during this initial inspection.

107.5.10 Spray-Applied Fire-Resistive Materials.

During the application of spray-applied fire-resistive materials..

107.5.11 Piling, Drilled Piers and Caissons.

During driving and load testing of piles and construction of cast-in-place drilled piles or caissons. See Sections 107.5.1 and 107.5.4 for concrete and reinforcing steel inspection.

107.5.12 Shotcrete.

During the taking of test specimens and placing of all shotcrete.

Exception:

Shotcrete work fully supported on earth, minor repairs and when, in the opinion of the building official, no special hazard exists.

107.5.13 Special Grading, Excavation and Filling.

During earthwork excavations, grading and filling operations inspection to satisfy requirements of Chapter 3 and Section 109.5.

107.5.14 Special Cases.

Work that, in the opinion of the structural engineer, involves unusual hazards or conditions.

107.5.15 Non-Destructive Testing.

In-situ non-destructive testing program, in addition to the requirements of Section 107.8 that in the opinion of the structural engineer may supplement or replace conventional tests on concrete or other materials and assemblies.

107.6 Approved Fabricators

Structural inspections required by this section and elsewhere in this code are not required where the work is done on the premises of a fabricator approved by the structural engineer to perform such work without structural inspection. The approved fabricator shall submit a certificate of compliance that the work was

performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications to the building official and to the engineer or architect of record. The approved fabricator's qualifications shall be contingent on compliance with the following:

1. The fabricator has developed and submitted a detailed fabrication procedural manual reflecting key quality control procedures that will provide a basis for inspection control of workmanship and the fabricator plant.

2. Verification of the fabricator's quality control capabilities, plant and personnel as outlined in the fabrication procedural manual shall be by an approved inspection or quality control agency.

3. Periodic plant inspections shall be conducted by an approved inspection or quality control agency to monitor the effectiveness of the quality control program.

107.7 Prefabricated Construction

107.7.1 General.

107.7.1.1 Purpose.

The purpose of this section is to regulate materials and establish methods of safe construction where any structure or portion thereof is wholly or partially prefabricated.

107.7.1.2 Scope.

Unless otherwise specifically stated in this section, all prefabricated construction and all materials used therein shall conform to all the requirements of Section 101.4.

107.7.1.3 Definition.

PREFABRICATED ASSEMBLY is a structural unit, the integral parts of which have been built up or assembled prior to incorporation in the building.

107.7.2 Tests of Materials.

Every approval of a material not specifically mentioned in this code shall incorporate as a proviso the kind and number of tests to be made during prefabrication.

107.7.3 Tests of Assemblies.

The building official may require special tests to be made on assemblies to determine their structural adequacy, durability and weather resistance.



107.7.4 Connections.

Every device used to connect prefabricated assemblies shall be designed as required by this code and shall be capable of developing the strength of the largest member connected, except in the case of members forming part of a structural frame designed as specified in Chapter 2. Connections shall be capable of withstanding uplift forces as specified in Chapter 2.

107.7.5 Pipes and Conduits.

In structural design, due allowance shall be made for any material to be removed for the installation of pipes, conduits or other equipment.

107.7.6 Certificate and Inspection.

107.7.6.1 Materials.

Materials and the assembly thereof shall be inspected to determine compliance with this code. Every material shall be graded, marked or labeled where required elsewhere in this code.

107.7.6.2 Certificate.

A certificate of acceptance shall be furnished with every prefabricated assembly, except where the assembly is readily accessible to inspection at the site. The certificate of acceptance shall certify that the assembly in question has been inspected and meets all the requirements of this code.

107.7.6.3 Certifying Agency.

To be acceptable under this code, every certificate of approval shall be made by a recognized certifying body or agency.

107.7.6.4 Field Erection.

Placement of prefabricated assemblies at the building site shall be inspected to determine compliance with this code.

107.7.6.5 Continuous Inspection.

If continuous inspection is required for certain materials where construction takes place on the site, it shall also be required where the same materials are used in prefabricated construction.

Exception:

Continuous inspection will not be required during prefabrication if the approved agency certifies to the construction and furnishes evidence of compliance.

107.8 Non-destructive Testing

107.8.1 General.

In Seismic Zone 4, welded, fully restrained connections between the primary members of ordinary moment frames and special moment-resisting frames shall be tested by nondestructive methods performed by certified NDT technicians for compliance with approved standards and job specifications. This testing shall be a part of the structural inspection requirements of Section 107.5. A program for this testing shall be established by the person responsible for structural design and as shown on plans and specifications.

107.8.2 Testing Program.

As a minimum, the testing program shall include the following:

107.8.2.1 General.

All complete penetration groove welds contained in joints and splices shall be tested 100 percent either by ultrasonic testing or by radiography.

Exceptions:

1. When approved, the nondestructive testing rate for an individual welder or welding operator may be reduced to 25 percent, provided the reject rate is demonstrated to be 5 percent or less of the welds tested for the welder or welding operator. A sampling of at least 40 completed welds for a job shall be made for such reduction evaluation. Reject rate is defined as the number of welds containing rejectable defects divided by the number of welds completed. For evaluating the reject rate of continuous welds over 900 mm in length where the effective throat thickness is 25 mm or less, each 300 mm increment or fraction thereof shall be considered as one weld. For evaluating the reject rate on continuous welds over 900 mm in length where the effective throat thickness is greater than 25 mm, each 150 mm of length or fraction thereof shall be considered one weld.

2. For complete penetration groove welds on materials less than 8-mm thick, nondestructive testing is not required; for this welding, continuous inspection is required.

3. When approved by the building official and outlined in the project plans and specifications, this nondestructive ultrasonic testing may be performed in the shop of an approved fabricator utilizing qualified test techniques in the employment of the fabricator.



107.8.2.2 General.

Partial penetration groove welds when used in column splices shall be tested either by ultrasonic testing or radiography when required by the plans and specifications. For partial penetration groove welds when used in column splices, with an effective throat less than 20 mm thick, nondestructive testing is not required; for this welding, continuous structural inspection is required.

107.8.2.3 General.

Base metal thicker than 40 mm, when subjected to through-thickness weld shrinkage strains, shall be ultrasonically inspected for discontinuities directly behind such welds after joint completion.

Any material discontinuities shall be accepted or rejected on the basis of the defect rating in accordance with the (larger reflector) criteria of approved national standards.

107.8.3 Others.

The structural engineer may accept or require in place non-destructive testing of concrete or other materials and assemblies to supplement or replace conventional tests.

107.9 Structural Observation

107.9.1 General.

Structural observation shall be provided in Seismic Zone 4 when one of the following conditions exists:

1. The structure is defined in Table 103-1 as Occupancy Category I, II or III;

2. The structure is in Seismic Zone 4, Na as set forth in Table 208-4 is greater than 1.0, and a lateral design is required for the entire structure;

3. When so designated by the structural engineer, or

4. When such observation is specifically required by the building official.

107.9.2 Structural Observer.

The owner shall employ the engineer responsible for the structural design, or another engineer designated by the engineer responsible for the structural design, to perform structural observation as defined in Section 107.2.

Observed deficiencies shall be reported in writing to the owner's representative, structural inspector, contractor and the building official. The structural observer shall submit to the building official a written statement duly signed and sealed, that the site visits have been made and

identifying any reported deficiencies that, to the best of the structural observer's knowledge, have not been resolved.

107.9.3 Construction Stages for Observations.

The structural observations shall be performed at the construction stages prescribed by the inspection program prepared as required by Section 107.3.

It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the structural observer that the described construction stages have been reached, and to provide access to and means for observing the components of the structural system.

SECTION 108 – EXISTING STRUCTURES

108.1 General

Buildings in existence at the time of the adoption of this code may have their existing use or occupancy continued, if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this code, provided such continued use is not dangerous to life.

Any change in the use or occupancy of any existing building or structure shall comply with the provisions of Sections 108.4 of this code.

108.2 Maintenance

All buildings and structures, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe condition. The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings and structures. To determine compliance with this subsection, the building official may cause a structure to be reinspected.

108.3 Additions, Alterations or Repairs

108.3.1 General.

Buildings and structures to which additions, alterations or repairs are made shall comply with all the requirements of this code for new facilities except as specifically provided in this section.

108.3.2 When Allowed by the Building Official.Additions, alterations or repairs may be made to any building or structure without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with all the requirements



of this code, provided the addition, alteration or repair conforms to that required for a new building or structure and provided further that such approval by the building official is in writing.

Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure that will cause the existing building or structure to become unsafe. An unsafe condition shall be deemed to have been created if an addition or alteration will cause any structural element of the existing building or structure to resist loads in excess of their capacity or cause a reduction of their load carrying capacity.

Additions or alterations shall not be made to an existing building or structure when such existing building or structure is not in full compliance with the provisions of this code except when such addition or alteration will result in the existing building or structure being no more hazardous based on structural safety, than before such additions or alterations are undertaken.

Exceptions:

Alterations to existing structural elements or additions of new structural elements, which are initiated for the purpose of increasing the strength or stiffness of the lateral-force-resisting system of an existing structure, need not be designed for forces conforming to these regulations provided that an engineering analysis is submitted to show that:

1. The capacity of existing structural elements required to resist forces is not reduced;

2. The lateral force to required existing structural elements is not increased beyond their design strength.

3. New structural elements are detailed and connected to the existing structural elements as required by these regulations; and

4. New or relocated non-structural elements are detailed and connected to existing or new structural elements as required by these regulations.

108.3.3 Nonstructural.

Nonstructural alterations or repairs to an existing building or structure are permitted to be made of the same materials of which the building or structure is constructed, provided that they do not adversely affect any structural member or the fire-resistance rating of any part of the building or structure.

108.3.4 Historic Buildings.

Repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation or continued use of a building or structure may be made without conformance to all the requirements of this code when authorized by the building official, provided:

1. The building or structure has been designated by official action of the legally constituted authority of this jurisdiction as having special historical or architectural significance.

2. Any structurally unsafe conditions are corrected.

3. The restored building or structure will be no more hazardous based on life safety than the existing building.

108.4 Change in Use

No change shall be made in the character of occupancies or use of any building unless the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life safety than the existing use. A change in use or occupancy of any building shall be allowed only when the change in use or occupancy will not cause any structural element of the existing building to resist loads, determined on the basis on this code and on the proposed use or occupancy, in excess of their capacity. Alterations to the existing building shall be permitted to satisfy this requirement.

No change in the character of occupancy of a building shall be made without a new certificate of occupancy regardless of whether any alterations to the building are required.

SECTION 109 - GRADING AND EARTHWORK

109.1 General

109.1.1 Scope.

The provisions of this section apply to grading, excavation and earthwork construction, including fills and enbankments.

109.2 Definitions

The following terms are defined for use in this section:

APPROVAL shall mean that the proposed work or completed work conforms to this section in the opinion of the building official.



AS GRADED is the extent of surface conditions on completion of grading.

BEDROCK is in-place solid or altered rock.

BENCH is a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.

BORROW is earth material acquired from an off-site location for use in grading on a site.

CIVIL ENGINEER is a professional engineer licensed to practice in the field of civil engineering.

CIVIL ENGINEERING is the application of the knowledge of the forces of nature, principles of mechanics and the properties of materials to the evaluation, design and construction of civil works.

COMPACTION is the densification of a fill by mechanical or chemical means.

EARTH MATERIAL is any rock, natural soil or fill or any combination thereof.

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST is a licensed geologist experienced and knowledgeable in engineering geology.

ENGINEERING GEOLOGY is the application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.

EROSION is the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind, water or ice.

EXCAVATION is the mechanical removal of earth material.

FILL is a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER is an engineer experienced and knowledgeable in the practice of soil and rock mechanics and foundation engineering.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING is the application of the principles of soil and rock mechanics in the investigation, evaluation and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and foundations and the inspection or testing of the construction thereof.

GRADE is the vertical location of the ground surface.

EXISTING GRADE is the grade prior to grading.

FINISH GRADE is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.

ROUGH GRADE is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.

GRADING is an excavator or fill or combination thereof.

KEY is a designed compacted fill placed in a trench excavated in earth material beneath the toe of a slope.

PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION is the inspection required by this code to be performed by the civil engineer, geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist. Such inspections include that performed by persons supervised by such engineers or geologists and shall be sufficient to form an opinion relating to the conduct of the work.

SITE is any lot or parcel of land or contiguous combination thereof, under the same ownership, where grading is performed or permitted.

SLOPE is an inclined ground surface the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of vertical distance to horizontal distance.

SOIL is naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.

SOILS ENGINEER. See Geotechnical Engineer.

SOILS ENGINEERING. See Geotechnical Engineering.

TERRACE is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes.

109.3 Permits Required

109.3.1 Permits Required.

Except as specified in Section 109.3.2 of this section, no person shall do any grading without first having obtained a grading permit from the building official.

109.3.2 Exempted Work.

A grading permit shall not be required for the following:

1. Grading in an isolated, self-contained area if there is no danger to private or public property.

2. An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall or other structure authorized by a valid building permit. This



shall not exempt any fill made with the material from such excavation or exempt any excavation having an unsupported height greater than 1.5 meters after the completion of such structure;

3. Cemetery graves;

4. Refuse disposal sites controlled by other regulations;

5. Excavations for wells, or trenches for utilities;

6. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing or stockpiling of rock, sand, gravel, aggregate or clay controlled by other regulations, provided such operations do not affect the lateral support of, or increase stresses in, soil on adjoining properties;

7. Exploratory excavations performed under the direction of a registered geotechnical engineer or engineering geologist;

8. An excavation that (1) is less than 600 mm in depth or (2) does not create a cut slope greater than 1.5 m in height and steeper than 1 unit vertical in 1½ units horizontal (66.7% slope); and

9. A fill less than 300 mm in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than 1 unit vertical in 5 units horizontal (20% slope), or less than 900 mm in depth, not intended to support structures, that does not exceed 40 m3 on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course.

Exemption from the permit requirements of this section shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.

109.4 Hazards

Whenever the building official determines that any existing excavation or embankment or fill on private property has become a hazard to life and limb, or endangers property, or adversely affects the safety, use or stability of a public way or drainage channel, the owner of the property upon which the excavation or fill is located, or other person or agent in control of said property, upon receipt of notice in writing from the building official, shall within the period specified therein repair or eliminate such excavation or embankment to eliminate the hazard and to be in conformance with the requirements of this code.

109.5 Grading Permit Requirements

109.5.1 General.

Except as exempted in Section 109.3.2 of this code, no person shall do any grading without first obtaining a grading permit from the building official. A separate permit shall be obtained for each site, and may cover both excavations and fills.

109.5.2 Grading Designation.

Grading in excess of 4,000 m3 shall be performed in accordance with the approved grading plan prepared by a civil engineer, and shall be designated as "engineered grading." Grading involving less than 4,000 m3 shall be designated "regular grading" unless the permittee chooses to have the grading performed as engineered grading, or the building official determines that special conditions or unusual hazards exist, in which case grading shall conform to the requirements for engineered grading.

109.5.3 Engineered Grading Requirements.

Application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by two sets of plans and specifications, and supporting data consisting of a geotechnical engineering report and engineering geology report. Additionally, the application shall state the estimated quantities of work involved. The plans and specifications shall be prepared and signed by the civil engineer licensed to prepare such plans or specifications when required by the building official.

Specifications shall contain information covering construction and material requirements. Plans shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that they will conform to the provisions of this code and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. The first sheet of each set of plans shall give location of the work, the name and address of the owner, and the person by whom they were prepared.

The plans shall include the following information:

1. General vicinity map of the proposed site.

2. Property limits and accurate contours of existing ground and details of terrain and area drainage.

3. Limiting dimensions elevations or finish contours to be achieved by the grading, and proposed drainage channels and related construction.

4. Detailed plans of all surface and subsurface drainage devices, walls, cribbing, dams and other protective devices to be constructed with, or as a part of, the



proposed work, together with a map showing the drainage area and the estimated runoff of the area served by any drains.

5. Location of any buildings or structures on the property where the work is to be performed and the location of any buildings or structures on land of adjacent owners that are within 4.5 m of the property or that may be affected by the proposed grading operations.

6. Recommendations included in the geotechnical engineering report and the engineering geology report shall be incorporated in the grading plans or specifications. When approved by the building official, specific recommendations contained in the geotechnical engineering report and the engineering geology report, which are applicable to grading, may be included by reference.

7. The dates of the geotechnical engineering and engineering geology reports together with the names, addresses and phone numbers of the firms or individuals who prepared the reports.

109.5.4 Geotechnical Engineering Report.

The geotechnical engineering report required by Section 109.5.3 shall include data regarding the nature, distribution and strength of existing soil, conclusions and recommendations for grading procedures and design criteria for corrective measures, including buttress fills, when necessary, and opinion on adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading as affected by geotechnical engineering factors, including the stability of slopes.

Refer to Chapter 3 on Excavations and Foundations for detailed requirements and guidelines.

109.5.5 Engineering Geology Report.

The engineering geology report required by Section 109.5.3 shall include an adequate description of the geology of the site, conclusions and recommendations regarding the effect of geologic conditions on the proposed development, and opinion on the adequacy for the intended use of sites to be developed by the proposed grading, as affected by geologic factors or hazards.

109.5.6 Regular Grading Requirements.

Each application for a grading permit shall be accompanied by a plan in sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work, and state the estimated quantities of work involved. The plans shall give the location of the work, the name of the owner and the name

of the person who prepared the plan. The plan shall include the following information:

1. General vicinity map of the proposed site.

2. Limiting dimensions and depth of cut and fill.

3. Location of any buildings or structures where work is to be performed, and the location of any buildings or structures within 4.5 m of the proposed grading.

109.6 Grading Inspection

109.6.1 General.

Grading operations for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official. Professional inspection of grading operations shall be provided by the civil engineer, geotechnical engineer and the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 109.5.5 for engineered grading and as required by the building official for regular grading.

109.6.2 Civil Engineer.

The civil engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer's area of technical specialty, which shall consist of observation and review as to the establishment of line, grade and surface drainage of the development area. If revised plans are required during the course of the work, they shall be prepared by the civil engineer.

109.6.3 Geotechnical Engineer.

The geotechnical engineer shall provide professional inspection within such engineer's area of technical specialty, which shall include observation during grading and testing for required compaction. The geotechnical engineer shall provide sufficient observation during the preparation of the natural ground and placement and compaction of the fill to verify that such work is being performed in accordance with the conditions of the approved plan and the appropriate requirements of this chapter.

Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved geotechnical engineering and engineering geology reports shall be submitted to the permittee, the building official and the civil engineer.

109.6.4 Engineering Geologist.

The engineering geologist shall provide professional inspection within such geologist's area of technical specialty, which shall include professional inspection of the bedrock excavation to determine if conditions



encountered are in conformance with the approved report. Revised recommendations relating to conditions differing from the approved engineering geology report shall be submitted to the geotechnical engineer.

109.6.5 Permittee.

The permittee shall be responsible for the work to be performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and in conformance with the provisions of this code, and the permittee shall engage consultants, as may be necessary, to provide professional inspection on a timely basis. The permittee shall act as a coordinator between the consultants, the contractor and the building official. In the event of changed conditions, the permittee shall be responsible for informing the building official of such change and shall provide revised plans for approval.

109.6.6 Building Official.

The building official shall inspect the project at the various stages of work requiring approval to determine that adequate control is being exercised by the professional consultants.

109.6.7 Notification of Noncompliance.

If, in the course of fulfilling their respective duties under this chapter, the civil engineer, the geotechnical engineer or the engineering geologist finds that the work is not being done in conformance with this chapter or the approved grading plans, the discrepancies shall be reported immediately in writing to the permittee and to the building official.

109.6.8 Transfer of Responsibility.

If the civil engineer, the geotechnical engineer, or the engineering geologist of record is changed during grading, the work shall be stopped until the replacement has agreed in writing to accept their responsibility within the area of technical competence for approval upon completion of the work. It shall be the duty of the permittee to notify the building official in writing of such change prior to the recommencement of such grading.

109.7 Completion of Work

109.7.1 Final Reports.

Upon completion of the rough grading work and at the final completion of the work, the following reports and drawings and supplements thereto are required for engineered grading or when professional inspection is performed for regular grading, as applicable:

1. An as-built grading plan prepared by the civil engineer retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 109.6.5 showing original ground surface elevations, as-graded ground surface elevations, lot drainage patterns, and the locations and elevations of surface drainage facilities and of the outlets of subsurface drains. As-constructed locations, elevations and details of subsurface drains shall be shown as reported by the geotechnical engineer. Civil engineers shall state that to the best of their knowledge the work within their area of responsibility was done in accordance with the final approved grading plan.

2. A report prepared by the geotechnical engineer retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 109.6.3, including locations and elevations of field density tests, summaries of field and laboratory tests, other substantiating data, and comments on any changes made during grading and their effect on the recommendations made in the approved geotechnical engineering investigation report. Geotechnical engineers shall submit a statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibilities is in accordance with the approved geotechnical engineering report and applicable provisions of this section.

3. A report prepared by the engineering geologist retained to provide such services in accordance with Section 109.6.4, including a final description of the geology of the site and any new information disclosed during the grading and the effect of same on recommendations incorporated in the approved grading plan. Engineering geologists shall submit a statement that, to the best of their knowledge, the work within their area of responsibility is in accordance with the approved engineering geologist report and applicable provisions of this section.

4. The grading contractor shall submit in a form prescribed by the building official a statement of conformance to said as-built plan and the specifications.

109.7.2 Notification of Completion.

The permittee shall notify the building official when the grading operation is ready for final inspection. Final permission by the building official shall not be given until all work, including installation of all drainage facilities and their protective devices, and all erosion-control measures have been completed in accordance with the final approved grading plan, and the required reports have been submitted by the engineer of record.


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