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The California Building Standards Administrative Code (Title 24, Part 1) describes the general administrative requirements for projects under the jurisdiction of DSA. Title 24, Part 1, Section 4-335 requires that tests of materials for construction projects under the jurisdiction of Division of the State Architect (DSA) be performed by testing facilities acceptable to DSA. DSA has created the Laboratory Evaluation and Acceptance (LEA) program to evaluate testing facilities statewide.
Employment of, and Payments to, the Testing Agency
Per Section 4-335(b), Title 24, Part 1, "The testing agency shall be directly employed by the school board and not be in the employ of any other agency or individual." This section is intended to prevent a potential for conflict of interest. Note that the testing agency may not be employed by a construction manager or inspector.
As stated above, the testing facility selected must be listed on DSA's website. The testing facility must also be acceptable to the architect or engineer in general responsible charge of the project (hereinafter referred to as the A/E of Record). A list of acceptable facilities is available at: https://www.apps.dgs.ca.gov/tracker/ApprovedLabs.aspx. 
Per Section 4-335(c), the school board shall pay for all tests but, if so specified in the contract documents, the amount or a portion thereof may be collected from the contractor by the school board. When, in the opinion of the A/E of Record, additional tests are required because of the manner in which the contractor executes his or her work, such tests shall be paid for by the school board, the amount may be collected from the contractor by the school board.
Sampling and Testing of Materials
A representative of the testing facility shall select and obtain all samples required for testing. In special situations, with prior written approval of DSA, the project inspector, the A/E of Record, or the structural engineer on the project may select samples. In no case shall the contractor, a construction manager, or any other entity select, handle or transport samples for testing. It is essential that materials sampled for testing actually represent the materials used in construction. It is also important that materials are sampled, handled, and tested in accordance with project specifications and applicable American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standards. 
Reporting
Report Templates and Forms provides test and special inspection report templates recommended for use on school projects. Section 4-335(d) requires that reports address several issues that are not always required on typical commercial projects.
- Reports shall be sent directly to the school board, DSA, the A/E of Record, the structural engineer and the project inspector by the testing facility,
- Reports shall be sent within 14 days of the date of the test unless results indicate non-compliance in which case reports must be sent immediately.
Laboratory Verified Report
At the conclusion of all testing work involved in a project the engineer in charge of the laboratory must sign a Laboratory Verified Report (PDF - 104 KB) stating under penalty of perjury that all testing required by the DSA approved documents was performed and that the results of all tests indicate that the materials tested met the requirements. Instructions are included on the back of the form Laboratory Verified Report.
Special Inspection Requirements
Per Section 4-333(c), special inspection may be required by DSA for certain aspects of construction. In general special inspection is required by DSA for construction work that occurs at a location remote from the project site and/or for inspections that require specialized knowledge.
Note that other kinds of inspectors are utilized on projects under the jurisdiction of DSA. The roles and responsibilities of these inspectors are different from those of special inspectors.
See IR A-7 Project Inspector Certification and Approval (PDF - 58 KB) for more information regarding project inspectors.
Employment of Special Inspectors
The costs of all special inspection shall be paid for by the school board, but if so specified in the contract documents the amount paid may be collected from the contractor by the school board. 
Most special inspectors are employed by testing agencies and are retained as part of a comprehensive testing and special inspection contract. It is important to remember that the special inspector is individually and personally responsible for providing continuous special inspection and reporting the results of those inspections. The special inspector is also responsible for submitting verified reports as described below.
To the greatest extent possible, one individual must provide all inspection for the aspect of work requiring special inspection. When two or more special inspectors must share responsibility for the inspection of one aspect of the work, each special inspector must clearly define the extent of the work he or she inspected.
Special Inspection Verified Report
At the conclusion of any work for which special inspection is required, each individual special inspector must submit a separate Special Inspection Verified Report (PDF - 104 KB). 
The report must state under penalty of perjury that the special inspection of all work required by the DSA approved documents was performed and that the work inspected was performed in accordance with the requirements. Instructions are included on the back of the Special Instruction Verified Report form. If more than one special inspector performed special inspection for an aspect of the work then each individual must clearly define the scope of work inspected on his or her verified report. |
