DSA's Interpretation of Regulations Manual

The Interpretation of Regulations (IR) Manual was created by DSA for use as a documentation of acceptable methods for achieving compliance with applicable building codes and regulations. Its purpose is to promote more uniform statewide criteria in plan review and monitoring of construction of public school, community college and essential services building projects.

Change of California Building Code

On January 1, 2008, the 2007 CBC will take effect for projects under the jurisdiction of DSA. This new edition of the California Building Code is based on a new model code: the 2006 IBC. This means the new code is significantly different from the 2001 CBC. Most California amendments have moved to new locations in the new code. All projects submitted to DSA after January 1, 2008 will be governed by the 2007 CBC.

As a result of these changes, some IRs may become unnecessary if their provisions are part of a new model code or have been incorporated into new California amendments. Other IRs may be modified and still others may remain unaffected.

Applicability of IRs to projects submitted under the 2001 CBC or the 2007 CBC is indicated below after the IR revision date. "N/A" before a date means the IR is not applicable to projects submitted to DSA under that edition of the California Building Code.

The IR Manual is available for download in its entirety:

DSA Interpretation of Regulations Manual (PDF - 1.88 MB) Revised 04/15/08

All IRs are also available individually for download:

Administrative

• IR A-1: Temporary Approval for School Use of HCD Commercial Coaches (PDF - 40 KB)
  Issued 9/6/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-2: Certificate of Compliance without Receipt of All Documents (PDF - 19 KB)
  Issued 09/01/99 - 2001 CBC
• IR A-3: Construction Management Procedures for School Projects (PDF - 24 KB)
  Issued 09/01/99 - 2001 CBC
• IR A-4: Geological Hazard Report Requirements (PDF - 43 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-5: Acceptance of Products, Materials, and Evaluation Reports (PDF - 39 KB)
  Revised 02/01/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-6: Change Order and Field Change Approval Process (PDF - 321 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-7: Project Inspector Certification and Approval (PDF - 67 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-8: Project Inspector and Assistant Inspector Duties and Performance (PDF - 65 KB)
  Revised 10/03/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-9: School Site Improvements for School Building Projects (PDF - 24 KB)
  Revised 04/21/05 - 2001 CBC
• IR A-10: Reconstruction and Alteration Projects - Exemption from DSA Approval (PDF - 27 KB)
  Revised 03/17/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-11: Incremental Submittals (PDF - 34 KB)
  Revised 03/11/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-12: Assistant Inspector Approval (PDF - 63 KB)
  Revised 10/03/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-13: Stop Work and Order to Comply (PDF - 63 KB)
  Issued 04/05/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-14: Walk-In Freezers and Cold Storage Boxes (PDF - 23 KB)
  Issued 08/28/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-15: Testing and Inspection of Remotely Fabricated Construction Elements (PDF - 28 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular A-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-16: Charter Schools Enforcement Jurisdiction (PDF - 22 KB)
  Issued 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-17: Voidance of Applications and Project Re-Submittal (PDF - 27 KB)
  Issued 02/01/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-18: Use of Construction Documents Prepared by Other Professionals (PDF - 45 KB)
  Issued 02/01/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-19: Design Professional's Signature and Seal (Stamp) on Construction (PDF - 40 KB)
  Revised 04/07/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-20: Alteration of Uncertified Buildings (PDF - 32 KB)
  Issued 04/15/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR A-21: Design, Installation and Maintenance of Fire Alarm (F/A) Systems (PDF - 40 KB)
  Issued 04/15/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Use or Occupancy

• IR 3-1: Storage Room Occupancy Separation (PDF - 23 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)

Fire Protection Systems

• IR 9-1: Automatic Fire Suppression System Coverage in Concealed Interstitial Space (PDF - 26 KB)
  Issued 10/15/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Access

• IR 11B-1: Visual Alarms in Classrooms (PDF - 23 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 11B-2: Beveled Lip at Curb Ramps (PDF - 22 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 11B-3: Detectable Warnings at Curb Ramps (PDF - 21 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 11B-4: Detectable Warnings (PDF - 25 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 11B-5: Effort to Operate Exterior Doors (PDF - 23 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 11B-6: Mechanical Only Projects Exempt From Accessibility Review (PDF - 22 KB)
  Issued 02/04/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Roofing and Roof Structures

• IR 15-1: Attachment of Clay or Concrete "S" Roof Tile (PDF - 30 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 15-2: Clay and Concrete Roof Tile Materials and Applications (PDF - 26 KB)
  Issued 10/15/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Structural Design

• IR 16-1: Conditional Certification for Relocatable School Buildings (PDF - 60 KB)
  Revised 04/15/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 16-2: Computer Access Floors (PDF - 25 KB)
  Revised 01/02/08 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 16-3: Earth Retaining Systems (PDF - 26 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 16-4: Wind Load Design for One Story Relocatable School Buildings (Less than 2000 Square Feet in Floor Area) (PDF - 23 KB)
  Revised 01/02/08 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 16-5: Design Construction of Reviewing Stands, Grandstands and Bleachers (PDF - 43 KB)
  Revised 04/21/05 - 2001 CBC
• IR 16-6: Composite Base for HVAC Units (PDF - 254 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular 16-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 16-7: Wind Load Determination - Alternate Method (PDF - 158 KB)
  Issued 12/18/07 - (N/A 2001 CBC), 2007 CBC

Structural Tests and Special Inspections

• IR 17-1: Sampling and Testing of Structural Materials (PDF - 29 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular 17-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 17-2: Nondestructive Testing (N.D.T.) of Welds (PDF - 32 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular 17-2) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 17-3: Structural Welding Inspection (PDF - 34 KB)
  Revised 04/07/08 (Was Circular 17-3) - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)

Concrete

• IR 19-1: Post Installed Anchors in Concrete (PDF - 97 KB)
  Revised 03/06/06 - 2001 CBC
• IR 19-2: Requirements for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) Panels (PDF - 26 KB)
  Issued 09/01/99 - 2001 CBC

Masonry

• IR 21-1: Masonry Walls - Non Structural (PDF - 17 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC
• IR 21-2: Filled Cell Concrete Masonry High Lift Grouting Method (PDF - 32 KB)
  Issued 09/01/99 - 2001 CBC
• IR 21-3: Clay Brick Masonry High Lift Grouting Method (PDF - 33 KB)
  Issued 09/01/99 - 2001 CBC
• IR 21-4: Concrete Masonry High Units Standards (PDF - 33 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 (Was Circular 21-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Steel

• IR 22-1: Design Procedure for Steel Deck Diaphragms With Structural Concrete Fill (PDF - 25 KB)
  Revised 01/02/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 22-2: Anchor Bolts Connecting Steel to Concrete (PDF - 41 KB)
  Issued 011/01/07 (Was Circular 22-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Wood

• IR 23-1: Pre-fabricated Wood Construction Connectors (PDF - 30 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 23-2: Wood Diaphragms (PDF - 21 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 23-3: Concrete Curbs in Wood Frame Buildings (PDF - 16 KB)
  Revised 10/03/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 23-4: Light Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses (PDF - 61 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)
• IR 23-5: Bolts Used in Wood Construction (PDF - 26 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular 23-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 23-6: Wood Structural Panels - Plywood Panel Marking (PDF - 33 KB)
  Revised 10/15/07 (Was Circular 23-2) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 23-7: Minimum Fastener Penetration in Framing - Wood Diaphrams (PDF - 22 KB)
  Revised 11/01/07 (Was Circular 23-3) - 2001 CBC (N/A 2007 CBC)

Glass and Glazing

• IR 24-1: Glass Panel Railings (PDF - 25 KB)
  Revised 01/02/08 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC)

Gypsum Board and Plaster

• IR 25-1: Maximum Allowable Load for 10 Gage & 12 Gage Wires (PDF - 22 KB)
  Revised 09/18/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR 25-2: Metal Suspension Systems for Lay-In Panel Ceilings (PDF - 209 KB)
  Revised 07/21/05 - 2001 CBC
• IR 25-3: Drywall Ceiling Suspension Conventional Constructon - One Layer (PDF - 33 KB)
  Revised 07/21/05 - 2001 CBC
• IR 25-4: Self-Furring Lath (PDF - 22 KB)
  Revised 01/02/08 (Was Circular 25-1) - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Electrical

• IR E-1: Grounding of Relocatable Buildings (PDF - 88 KB)
  Revised 10/03/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC
• IR E-2: Ground Fault Circuit-Interrupter (PDF - 31 KB)
  Revised 10/03/07 - 2001 CBC, 2007 CBC

Energy

• IR N-1: Pre-Check (PC) Designs Energy Compliance Review (PDF - 34 KB)
  Issued 04/15/08 - (N/A 2001 CBC), 2007 CBC