PURPOSE
Department of Building and Safety (DBS) Inspectors conduct Code inspections for those portions of Public Works projects that are regulated by the L.A. Building Code. The DBS Inspector does not inspect for compliance with the plans and specifications. The sole function of the DBS Inspector is to inspect the work within a specific discipline for which a permit has been issued and for compliance to the governing Code and/or the L.A. Building Code. DBS issues the Certificate of Occupancy for buildings after each of the applicable permits are “signed off”.
Work within the public right-of-way, street lighting, traffic signals, sewers, storm drains, and process systems within water and wastewater treatment facilities are not the responsibility of DBS.
The purpose of this Procedure is to provide guidelines for this process.
REFERENCES
Uniform Building Code
Uniform Electrical Code
Uniform Fire Code
Uniform Mechanical Code
Uniform Plumbing Code
Uniform Welding Code
RESPONSIBILITIES
Department of Building and Safety (DBS): DBS conducts called inspections of construction activities for which a permit has been issued and is governed by the Building Codes or pertains to Life, Health and Safety. They enforce the implementation of the requirements of Title 24, Energy Efficiency, Title 28, the Fire Code, Americans with Disabilities Act, and zoning regulations.
Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA): BCA Inspectors, who have been licensed by DBS as Deputy Building Inspectors, inspect those portions of Public Works projects governed by the Code for which they are licensed on behalf of DBS. Those areas of construction for which BCA provides Licensed Deputy Building Inspectors include but are not limited to reinforced concrete, structural masonry, structural steel / welding, shotcrete, spray applied fireproofing, wood framing anchors, methane barrier, drilled in anchors, etc.
Lead Inspector (LI): The LI is responsible to ensure that all deficiencies noted by DBS are corrected prior to payment for that portion of work and before the call for Final Inspection.
Construction Manager (CM): The CM shall assist the LI in ensuring that all deficiencies listed in the DBS Correction Notices are corrected by the Contractor.
Contractor: It is the Contractor’s responsibility to arrange for DBS inspection, maintain the Permit Card at the jobsite, and obtain final sign-off of the permit(s).
PROCEDURE
When conducting inspections as a Deputy Building Inspector, BCA Inspectors are responsible to DBS for ensuring that the portion of construction being inspected adheres to the applicable Code. The BCA Deputy Building Inspector is authorized to issue a Correction Notice (Attachment 17.11-1) for any work failing to meet the requirements of the applicable Code. The level of inspection required for each discipline governed by the Code is determined by DBS. The Contractor shall notify the LI of any deficiencies noted by DBS and provide them a copy of the Correction Notice.
In some instances, design deficiencies may be responsible for the Correction Notice. The Contractor shall notify the CM if they believe items listed in the DBS Correction Notices are due to design flaws rather than deficiencies in the installation, material or construction. It is important to note that the Contractor is responsible for constructing the project per the plans and specifications and for notifying the CM of potential Code violations when discovered. The Contractor, however, is not responsible for designing the project per Code. In instances where a Code violation exists in the design, the CM shall proceed with obtaining a waiver from DBS or issuing the necessary change order(s) to correct the design deficiency. On complex projects, it is suggested that the CM have the Contractor request a DBS preconstruction meeting as well as inspections periodically throughout the project. This will help prevent a situation in which a DBS Inspector’s Code interpretation causes a last minute change that could delay completion of the project.
When the contract work is completed, the Contractor notifies the LI in writing and requests a final inspection of the contract work by the BCA Final Inspector. At the same time, the Contractor notifies the DBS Inspector and requests a final signoff of the Building Permit. If the final DBS inspection results in the issuance of a Correction Notice, the BCA Final Inspector notes it on the Final Inspection Correction List. After all items on the Correction Notices are completed and each of the applicable permits are signed off by the respective DBS discipline inspectors, the DBS Building Inspector will sign-off on the Permit Card and issue the Certificate of Occupancy for the building.
RELATED PROCEDURES
Procedure 22.1 – Partial Final Inspection and Partial Acceptance
Procedure 22.2 – Sign-Off by the Department of Building and Safety
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