17.12 Materials Testing

Revised on 02-25-2025

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PURPOSE

Field samples and test specimens are generally tested at the Department of General Services, Bureau of Standards Division laboratory, or at an approved testing laboratory to ensure that the construction materials meet the requirements of the contract documents.

The Standard Specification for Public Works Construction, as amended by the City of Los Angeles Brown Book, and the General Conditions/General Requirements of the contract documents require the pre-delivery inspection and testing of construction materials. The purpose for this requirement is twofold:

  1. Pre-delivery inspection and testing reduces the chance of delivery and incorporation of materials not meeting the specifications, thus precluding delays in project completion.
  2. Pre-delivery inspection and testing reduces the chance of substandard materials and equipment being delivered to the site, which could become a subject of claim litigation. The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines for this process.

REFERENCES

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RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA): BCA inspectors are responsible for requesting the Bureau of Standards to conduct tests on materials delivered to the jobsite that are to be incorporated into the project and for on-site materials such as backfill. However, when the Bureau of Standards does not have the capability to conduct a specified test, an accredited laboratory may be used instead. An “accredited” laboratory is one that has been approved by BCA on the basis of its capability to perform the required testing. The Contractor is responsible for submitting test results as required by the contract documents. BCA maintains a list of accredited laboratories, which is continuously updated.
  • Construction Manager (CM): The CM is responsible for ensuring that the materials testing, required by the contract documents, is performed and test results are distributed and filed accordingly.
  • Project Engineer (PE): The PE is responsible for specifying all required materials inspections that are over and above the typical material testing required by General Requirements, Section 01453 – Sampling, Testing and Fabrication.

PROCEDURE

The PE specifies the required materials inspections in the contract documents that are over and above those in the General Requirements. The Lead Inspector (LI) verifies that all required tests are completed. The LI may also require testing in addition to that specified in order to verify previous test results or as a means of quality assurance as the LI deems necessary. Samples and test specimens for testing should be furnished, prepared for testing, and delivered in ample time for the completion of necessary tests and analysis before said article or materials are to be used. The LI should designate the time and location of the delivery. The tests will generally be conducted in the Bureau of Standards laboratory of the Department of General Services. If the manufacturer or supplier of the materials is located outside the 30-mile radius of the City, then the procedure described under Shop Inspections (see Procedure 17.10) should be followed.

RELATED PROCEDURES

LINKS / ATTACHMENTS

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Attachments

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