Criteria are provided for assessing the competence of an agency to properly perform designated inspections, tests, or Special Inspection services. This specification establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, management, personnel, facilities, quality systems, responsibilities, duties, inspection and testing methods, records, and reports of the agency. This specification may be supplemented by more specific criteria and requirements, if required.
1.2.1 This specification specifically addresses factors relevant to an agency''s ability to produce precise, accurate test data or determine the conformity of construction activities and materials used in construction with regulations, codes, standards, and approved project plans and specifications containing the requirements against which the inspection or test, or both, will be performed. Specific or general requirements include:
1.2.1.1 Facilities and management of the agency,
1.2.1.2 Sufficiency and technical competency of personnel,
1.2.1.3 Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of equipment,
1.2.1.4 Quality system, audit, and review,
1.2.1.5 Responsibilities, duties, and authority of agencies,
1.2.1.6 Validity and appropriateness of sampling, testing, and inspection methods and procedures,
1.2.1.7 Management of records,
1.2.1.8 Reporting, review, and transmission of test and inspection data or findings, and
1.2.1.9 Specific requirements for identified fields (concrete, soil, etc.).