ASTM E329-23
(Specification)Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
ABSTRACT
This specification defines the minimum requirements for inspection agency personnel or testing agency laboratory personnel, or both, and the minimum technical requirements for equipment and procedures utilized in the testing and inspection of construction and materials used in construction. Criteria provided herein shall be used for evaluating the capability of the agency to properly perform designated tests on construction materials, as well as establishing essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, personnel, facilities, and quality systems of the agency.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The inspection and testing of construction activities and the materials used in construction are important elements in obtaining quality construction in general compliance with the contract documents. An agency providing construction inspection, testing, or Special Inspection, must be selected with care after a comprehensive evaluation of their competency to perform the services properly and in compliance with the approved project plans and specifications.
4.2 This specification provides minimum criteria for use in assessing the qualifications of construction inspection, testing, and Special Inspection agencies. The criteria may be supplemented by more specific criteria and requirements for particular classes of testing or types of inspection agencies. An individual user can also use it to judge the competency of an agency.
4.3 The intent of this specification is to provide a standardized basis for requirements for a technically oriented construction inspection, testing, or Special Inspection agency, with respect to the agency's capability to objectively and competently provide the specific services without prejudice.
4.4 Typically, assessing an agency involves the following three essential sequential phases:
4.4.1 Submittal of basic information in accordance with the criteria of this specification to the accreditation body by an agency desiring to be accredited to this specification,
4.4.2 Assessment of the agency-submitted information by the accreditation body, and
4.4.3 On-site assessment of the agency by the accreditation body.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for agencies engaged in any of the following:
(a) Inspection of specified methods and materials used in construction,
(b) Special Inspection, and
(c) Testing of materials used in construction.
1.2 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.).
1.3 This specific...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E329 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or
1
Special Inspection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E329; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.2.1.6 Validity and appropriateness of sampling, testing,
and inspection methods and procedures,
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for
1.2.1.7 Management of records,
agencies engaged in any of the following:
1.2.1.8 Reporting, review, and transmission of test and
(a) Inspection of specified methods and materials used in
inspection data or findings, and
construction,
(b) Special Inspection, and
1.2.1.9 Specific requirements for identified fields (concrete,
(c) Testing of materials used in construction. soil, etc.).
1.2 Criteria are provided for assessing the competence of an
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to assess an
agency to properly perform designated inspections, tests, or
agency and is intended for use in accrediting agencies, public
Special Inspection services. This specification establishes es-
or private, engaged in inspection, testing, and Special Inspec-
sential characteristics pertaining to the organization,
tion of construction activities and materials used in construc-
management, personnel, facilities, quality systems,
tion. These services include but are not limited to reinforced
responsibilities, duties, inspection and testing methods,
concrete, precast concrete, structural steel erection, welding,
records, and reports of the agency. This specification may be
bolting, soil and rock, foundations, masonry, sprayed fire-
supplemented by more specific criteria and requirements, if
resistive materials, fire stops, exterior insulation and finish
required.
system (EIFS), and Special Cases. Building officials can use
1.2.1 This specification specifically addresses factors rel-
Specification E329 to assess the competency of agencies in the
evant to an agency’s ability to produce precise, accurate test
fields covered by Specification E329.
data or determine the conformity of construction activities and
1.4 A certificate of accreditation, including the scope of
materials used in construction with regulations, codes,
accreditation, is required to comply with this specification.
standards, and approved project plans and specifications con-
taining the requirements against which the inspection or test, or
1.5 The users of an accredited agency must review the
both, will be performed. Specific or general requirements
agency’s scope of accreditation to ensure the agency has been
include:
accredited for its technical competence to perform the specific
1.2.1.1 Facilities and management of the agency,
inspections or tests requested by the user.
1.2.1.2 Sufficiency and technical competency of personnel,
1.6 This specification is not intended to:
1.2.1.3 Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of
(a) circumvent or replace the agreement between the
equipment,
agency and the owner that should clearly define the responsi-
1.2.1.4 Quality system, audit, and review,
bilities and authorities of the agency;
1.2.1.5 Responsibilities, duties, and authority of agencies,
(b) address design requirements that supersede applicable
codes, laws, and regulations; or
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on
(c) address construction means, methods, techniques, or
Accreditation & Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
sequences.
E36.70 on Agencies Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special
Inspection.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as E329 – 21. DOI:
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
10.1520/E0329-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E329 − 23
5
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 2.4 AWS Documents:
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical B1.11 Guide for
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E329 − 21 E329 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or
1
Special Inspection
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E329; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for agencies engaged in any of the following:
(a) Inspection of specified methods and materials used in construction,
(b) Special Inspection, and
(c) Testing of materials used in construction.
1.2 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
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on Accreditation & Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E36.70 on Agencies
Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special Inspection.
Current edition approved May 1, 2021Nov. 1, 2023. Published July 2021December 2023. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20202021 as
E329 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/E0329-21.21. DOI: 10.1520/E0329-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E329 − 23
1.2.1.9 Specific requirements for identified fields (concrete, soil, etc.).
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to assess an agency and is intended for use in accrediting agencies, public or private,
engaged in inspection, testing, and Special Inspection of construction activities and materials used in construction. These services
include but are not limited to reinforced concrete, precast concrete, structural steel erection, welding, bolting, soil and rock,
foundations, masonry, sprayed fire-resistive materials, fire stops, exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), and Special Cases.
Building officials can use Specification E329 to assess the competency of agencies in the fields covered by Specification E329.
1.4 A certificate of accreditation, including the scope of accreditation, is required to comply with this specification.
1.5 The users of an accredited agency must review the agency’s scope of accreditation to ensure the agency has been accredited
for its technical competence to perform the specific inspections or tests requested by the user.
1.6 This specification is not intended to:
(a) circumvent or replace the agreement between the agency and the owner that should clearly define the responsibilities and
authorities of the agency;
(b) address design requirements that supersede applicable codes, laws, and regulations; or
(c) address construction means, methods, techniques, or sequences.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principl
...
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