ASTM E329-11b

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
The testing and inspection of construction and the materials in construction is an important element in obtaining quality construction in general compliance to the contract documents. A construction inspection, Special Inspection or testing agency, or both, must be selected with care after a comprehensive evaluation of their competency to perform the services properly and in compliance with the applicable building code.
This specification provides basic minimum criteria for use in evaluating the qualifications of technically oriented construction inspection, Special Inspection, or testing agency. 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.
The intent of this specification is to provide a consensus system standardized basis for requirements for a technically oriented construction inspection, Special Inspection, or testing agency, with respect to the agency's capability to objectively and competently provide the specific services without prejudice.
Typically, assessing an agency involves the following three essential sequential phases:
Submittal of basic information in accordance with the criteria of this specification to the evaluator by an agency desiring to be qualified to this specification,
Assessing the agency-submitted information from the accreditation body, and
On-site assessment of the agency by the accreditation body.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for inspection agency personnel or testing agency laboratory personnel engaged in:
a. Construction Inspection of construction and materials used in construction.
b. Special Inspection of construction and materials used in construction.
c. Testing of materials used in construction.
1.2 Criteria is provided for evaluating the competence of an agency to properly perform designated tests, inspections, or Special Inspection services, and establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, management, personnel, facilities, quality systems, responsibilities, duties, test and inspection 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 and materials used in construction with regulations, codes, standards, or specifications containing the requirements against which the test or inspection will be performed, or both. Specific or general requirements include:
1.2.1.1 Technical competency of staff,
1.2.1.2 Validity and appropriateness of test and inspection methods and procedures,
1.2.1.3 Traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards,
1.2.1.4 Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment,
1.2.1.5 Sampling, handling, and transportation of test items,
1.2.1.6 Quality assurance of test and inspection data,
1.2.1.7 Reporting of test and inspection data or findings, and
1.2.1.8 Non Conformance Report (NCR) management and records.
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to evaluate an agency and is intended for use in q...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2011
• ICS: 91.100.01 - Construction materials in general
• Technical Committee: E36 - Accreditation & Certification
• Drafting Committee: E36.70 - Agencies Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special Inspection

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E329-11a - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Replaced By: ASTM E329-11c - Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 15-Dec-2011
• Referred By: ASTM C1077-17 - Standard Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for Testing Agency Evaluation
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3740-19 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E699-16 - Standard Specification for Agencies Involved in Testing, Quality Assurance, and Evaluating of Manufactured Building Components
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2353-21 - Standard Test Methods for Performance of Glazing in Permanent Railing Systems, Guards, and Balustrades
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E543-21 - Standard Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM D3666-16 - Standard Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM E2833-12(2018) - Standard Practice for Certification Bodies that Certify Personnel Engaged in Inspection and Testing of Construction Activities and Materials Used in Construction, Including Special Inspection
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011
• Referred By: ASTM A627-03(2019) - Standard Test Methods for Tool-Resisting Steel Bars, Flats, and Shapes for Detention and Correctional Facilities
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
An American National Standard
Designation: E329 – 11b
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope* 1.2.1.8 Non Conformance Report (NCR) management and
records.
1.1 Thisspecificationdefinestheminimumrequirementsfor
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to assess an
inspection agency personnel or testing agency laboratory
agency and is intended for use in accrediting agencies, public
agencies engaged in:
or private, engaged in construction inspection. Special inspec-
a. Construction inspection of construction and materials
tion or testing of construction and materials used in construc-
used in construction,
tion. These inspection services include but are not limited to
b. Special Inspection, and
reinforced concrete, precast concrete, structural steel erection,
c. Testing of construction and materials used in construc-
welding, bolting, soil and rock, foundations, masonry, sprayed
tion.
fire-resistive materials, fire stops, exterior insulation and finish
1.2 Criteria are provided for evaluating the competence of
system (EIFS), and Special Cases. Building officials can use
an agency to properly perform designated tests, inspections, or
Specification E329 as a tool in the qualification and establish-
Special Inspection services. This specification establishes es-
mentofcompetencyofconstructioninspection,Specialinspec-
sential characteristics pertaining to the organization, manage-
tion, and testing agencies in the fields covered by Specification
ment, personnel, facilities, quality systems, responsibilities,
E329.
duties, test and inspection methods, records, and reports of the
1.4 A certificate of accreditation, including the scope of
agency. This specification may be supplemented by more
accreditation, is required to comply with this specification.
specific criteria and requirements if required.
1.5 The users of an accredited agency must review the
1.2.1 This specification specifically addresses factors rel-
agency’s scope of accreditation to ensure the agency has been
evant to an agency’s ability to produce precise, accurate test
accredited for its technical competence to perform the specific
data or determine the conformity of construction and materials
tests or inspections requested by the user.
used in construction with regulations, codes, standards, or
specifications containing the requirements against which the
2. Referenced Documents
test or inspection will be performed, or both. Specific or
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
general requirements include:
A880 Practice for Criteria for Use in Evaluation of Testing
1.2.1.1 Technical competency of personnel,
Laboratories and Organizations for Examination and In-
1.2.1.2 Validity and appropriateness of test and inspection
3
spection of Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
methods and procedures,
C1077 PracticeforAgenciesTestingConcreteandConcrete
1.2.1.3 Traceability of measurements and calibrations to
Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
national standards,
Testing Agency Evaluation
1.2.1.4 Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test
C1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for
equipment,
Masonry
1.2.1.5 Sampling, handling, and transportation of test items,
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements forAgen-
1.2.1.6 Quality assurance of test and inspection data,
cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
1.2.1.7 Reportingoftestandinspectiondataorfindings,and
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on
2
Accreditation & Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
E36.70 on Agencies Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Inspection. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2011. Published September 2011. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E329–11a. DOI: Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
10.1520/E0329-11b. on www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO B
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:E329–11a Designation: E329 – 11b
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for inspection agency personnel or testing agency laboratory agencies
engaged in:
a. Construction inspection of construction and materials used in construction,
b. Special Inspection, and
c. Testing of construction and materials used in construction.
1.2 Criteria are provided for evaluating the competence of an agency to properly perform designated tests, inspections, or
Special Inspection services. This specification establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, management,
personnel, facilities, quality systems, responsibilities, duties, test and inspection 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 and materials used in construction with regulations, codes, standards, or specifications
containing the requirements against which the test or inspection will be performed, or both. Specific or general requirements
include:
1.2.1.1 Technical competency of personnel,
1.2.1.2 Validity and appropriateness of test and inspection methods and procedures,
1.2.1.3 Traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards,
1.2.1.4 Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment,
1.2.1.5 Sampling, handling, and transportation of test items,
1.2.1.6 Quality assurance of test and inspection data,
1.2.1.7 Reporting of test and inspection data or findings, and
1.2.1.8 Non Conformance Report (NCR) management and records.
1.3 Thisspecificationcanbeusedasabasistoassessanagencyandisintendedforuseinaccreditingagencies,publicorprivate,
engaged in construction inspection. Special inspection or testing of construction and materials used in construction. These
inspection 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 as a tool in the qualification and establishment of competency of
construction inspection, Special inspection, and testing 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 tests or inspections requested by the user.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
A880 Practice for Criteria for Use in Evaluation of Testing Laboratories and Organizations for Examination and Inspection of
Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
1
ThisspecificationisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE36onAccreditation&CertificationandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE36.70onAgencies
Performing Construction Inspection, Testing and Special Inspection .
Current edition approved June 15,Aug. 1, 2011. Published JulySeptember 2011. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E329–11a. DOI:
10.1520/E0329-11ab.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*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

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