ASTM E329-00b
(Specification)Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Materials Used in Construction
Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Materials Used in Construction
SCOPE
1.1 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 materials used in construction.
1.2 Criteria is provided for evaluating the capability of agency to properly perform designated tests on construction materials, and establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, personnel, facilities, and quality systems of the agency. This practice may be supplemented by more specific criteria and requirements for particular projects.
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to evaluate an agency and is intended for use in qualifying and/or accrediting agencies, public or private, engaged in the testing and inspection of construction materials. These materials include concrete, steel, soil, masonry and bituminous materials.
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Designation: E 329 – 00b An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of
Materials Used in Construction
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 329; 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 (e) 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 E 4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E 543 Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
1.1 This specification defines the minimum requirements for
Testing
inspection agency personnel or testing agency laboratory
E 548 Guide for General Criteria Used for Evaluating
personnel, or both, and the minimum technical requirements
Laboratory Competence
for equipment and procedures utilized in the testing and
E 994 Guide for Calibration and Testing Laboratory Ac-
inspection of materials used in construction.
creditation Systems General Requirements for Operation
1.2 Criteria is provided for evaluating the capability of
and Recognition
agency to properly perform designated tests on construction
materials, and establishes essential characteristics pertaining to
3. Terminology
the organization, personnel, facilities, and quality systems of
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the agency. This practice may be supplemented by more
3.1.1 agency—the organization/body, or part thereof, autho-
specific criteria and requirements for particular projects.
rized by the project sponsor or his duly authorized representa-
1.3 This specification can be used as a basis to evaluate an
tive to inspect or test construction materials as required by the
agency and is intended for use in qualifying and/or accrediting
project specifications.
agencies, public or private, engaged in the testing and inspec-
3.1.1.1 inspection agency—an agency or testing laboratory
tion of construction materials. These materials include con-
that makes visual observations and field measurements of
crete, steel, soil, masonry and bituminous materials.
construction materials. It may collect and submit samples,
2. Referenced Documents identified with respective portions of the construction, for
laboratory evaluation. The inspection agency/body and testing
2.1 ASTM Standards:
agency may be one organization or separate organizations.
A 880 Practice for Criteria for Use in Evaluation of Testing
3.1.1.2 testing agency—an agency or testing laboratory that
Laboratories and Organizations for Examination and In-
measures, examines, tests, or otherwise determines the charac-
spection of Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys
teristics or performance of materials and products.
C 1077 Practice for Laboratories Testing Concrete and Con-
3.1.2 bituminous material and mixes, n—as used in con-
crete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for
struction, all types of asphalts and tars for pavements.
Laboratory Evaluation
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Bituminous mixes are bituminous sta-
C 1093 Practice for The Accreditation of Testing Agencies
4 bilized soil, base course, binder, leveling, surface course, and
for Unit Masonry
mastic mixes. Bituminous mixes may contain either tar or
D 3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
5 asphalt binder material which, in some cases, may be further
cies Testing and Inspecting Bituminous Paving Materials
modified with other additive materials to produce special
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
properties.
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
3.1.3 concrete, n—as used in construction, all portland
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
cement concrete used in construction, particularly reinforced
concrete.
1 3.1.4 contract—the contractual agreement between the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on
Conformity Assessment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E36.70 on agency and the project sponsor.
Construction and Building Testing/Inspection Agencies.
3.1.5 documentation, n—unless otherwise specified, the
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2000. Published December 2000. Originally
term documentation, and related terms such as the verb
published as E 329 – 67 T. Last previous edition E 329 – 00a.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
4 7
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.01.
5 8
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
6 9
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 329
“document,” refer herein to written documentation. 4. Reference Material
3.1.5.1 Discussion—Documentation other than written
4.1 Appropriate references, relevant to the construction
documentation, such as video or audio recordings, shall be
being inspected, including project plans and specifications,
used, where appropriate, in addition to written documentation,
shall be readily available to the technicians or inspectors at all
if possible.
times. The following are particularly essential:
3.1.6 engineer, n—the term “engineer,” when used in com-
4.1.1 Applicable parts of Annual Book of ASTM Standards,
bination with the terms “registered,” “licensed,” or “profes- 4.1.2 Applicable Parts of AISC Manual of Steel Construc-
sional” are to be considered interchangeable for the purposes of
tion,
clarification. 4.1.3 Applicable Parts of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code,
3.1.6.1 Discussion—Geographical areas differ in the title,
4.1.4 Applicable building codes,
but the definition and intent are the same.
4.1.5 AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code, Steel,
3.1.7 inspection, n—examination of a product, product
4.1.6 AWS B1.11 Guide for the Visual Inspection of Welds,
design, service, process or plant, and determination of confor-
4.1.7 AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code,
mity with specific or, on the basis of professional judgment,
4.1.8 AWS D1.4 Structural Welding Code—Reinforcing,
general requirements, the results of which may be used to
and
support certification.
4.1.9 Steel Joist Institute (SJI) Recommended Code of
3.1.7.1 Discussion—Inspection of processes includes per-
Standard Practice for Steel Joists and Joist Girders.
sonnel, facilities, technology and methodology.
3.1.8 masonry, n—as used in construction, masonry units,
5. Significance and Use
brick, mortar and grout used in construction.
5.1 The testing and inspection of construction materials is
3.1.8.1 Discussion—The masonry construction may be load
an important element in obtaining quality construction. A
bearing or non-load bearing.
testing and inspection agency must be selected with care after
3.1.9 nondestructive testing, n—procedures for testing
a comprehensive evaluation of its competency to perform the
products as used in construction.
work properly.
3.1.9.1 Discussion—Nondestructive testing includes all test
5.2 This standard provides basic minimum criteria for use in
methods that do not impair the serviceability of the material,
evaluating the qualifications of technically oriented testing or
part, or assembly under test. Nondestructive tests are specific.
inspection agencies, or both. The criteria may be supplemented
They usually reveal only the specific kinds of defects and by more specific criteria and requirements for particular classes
conditions for whose detection they were designed. Conse-
of testing or types of inspection agencies. An individual user
quently, they must be selected in accordance with the specific can also use it to judge the competency of an agency. The
materials, the specific conditions to be detected, and the
existence of a formal accrediting authority such as a federal,
specific job to be done. state, or independent agency is not necessary for the use of this
practice, but the practice can be used as a basis for accredita-
3.1.10 owner, n—the owner’s officer, the engineer, or the
tion, if desired.
architect responsible for the work, or his duly recognized or
5.3 The intent of this standard is to provide a consensus
authorized representative.
system standardized basis for requirements for a technically
3.1.11 project sponsor, n—the organization that retains the
oriented testing or inspection agency, with respect to the
agency, and normally, the owner of record when the project is
agency’s capability to objectively and competently provide the
complete.
specific services needed by the user without prejudice.
3.1.12 qualified accreditation authority, n—an organization
5.4 Typically, evaluating an agency involves the following
recognized throughout the country, with the capability to assess
three essential sequential phases:
and monitor the professional and technical activities of an
5.4.1 Submittal of basic information in accordance with the
inspection or testing agency, or both.
criteria of this practice to the evaluator by an agency desiring
3.1.13 soil, n—as used in construction, subgrade, subbase,
to be qualified to this standard,
base, select fill and other similar types of granular and
5.4.2 Evaluation of the agency-submitted information, and
non-granular soils used in construction regardless of whether it
5.4.3 On-site verification of the agency-submitted informa-
is considered as a structural element in the project or general
tion by the user or a qualified national authority.
fill not supporting structural elements.
3.1.14 steel, n—as used in construction, structural steel 6. Organization and Management
plates and shapes used wholly or in part for structures
6.1 The agency shall be legally identifiable. It shall be
including reinforcing steel used in concrete.
organized and shall operate in such a way that its permanent,
3.1.14.1 Discussion—It is not intended to include steels
temporary, and mobile facilities meet the requirements of this
used in conjunction with mechanical, electrical, heating or
standard.
air-conditioning equipment except for the supporting struc-
6.2 The agency shall:
tures.
6.2.1 Have managerial staff with the authority and resources
3.1.15 technician, n—an employee of the inspection and needed to discharge their duties.
testing agency assigned to perform the actual operations of 6.2.2 Have arrangements to ensure that its personnel are free
inspection or testing. from any commercial, financial, and other pressures that might
E 329
adversely affect the quality of their work. This person shall be able to demonstrate either by oral or
6.2.3 Be organized in such a way that confidence in its written examination, or both, their ability to perform the tests
independence of judgment and integrity is maintained at all normally required in the manner stipulated under ASTM or
times. other governing test procedures and shall be capable of
6.2.4 Specify and document the responsibility, authority, evaluating the test results in terms of specification compliance.
qualifications, and interrelation of all personnel who manage, Certification by ACI (American Concrete Institute) Grade II or
perform, or verify work affecting the quality of inspections or NICET (National Institute for Certification of Engineering
tests, or both. Technicians) Level III or higher, or certification by other
6.2.5 Provide supervision by persons qualified to perform qualified national authorities as appropriate to the work, shall
the inspections and tests and to implement relevant procedures. be considered as one means of evidence of competency.
They should also be qualified to evaluate the objective of the 7.2.3 A field supervisor shall have at least five years
inspections or tests and the results. The ratio of supervisory to inspection experience in the type of work being supervised.
non-supervisory personnel shall be such as to ensure adequate This person shall be able to demonstrate, either by oral or
supervision. written examination, or both, their ability to perform correctly
6.2.6 Have a technical manager (however named) who has the required duties and shall be capable of evaluating the
overall responsibility for the technical operations. inspection or test results in terms of specification compliance.
6.2.7 Have a quality manager (however named) who has the Certification by ACI (Level II), NICET (Level III or higher),
responsibility for the quality system and its implementation. ASNT (Level II or III), AWS (CWI), or certification by other
The quality manager shall have direct access to the highest qualified national authorities as appropriate to the work, shall
level of management at which decisions are made on agency be considered as one means of evidence of competency.
policy or resources, and to the technical manager. In some 7.2.4 Inspector or Technician—This person shall have suf-
agencies, the quality manager may also be the technical ficient education and on-the-job training or trade school
manager or deputy technical manager. training to properly perform the test or inspection to which the
6.2.8 Nominate deputies in case of absence of the technical person is assigned. This person must be able to demonstrate
or quality manager. competence for the test or inspection which is being conducted
6.2.9 Where relevant, have documented policy and proce- either by oral or written examination, or both. Certification by
dures to ensure the protection of clients’ confidential informa- ACI (American Concrete Institute), AWS (American Welding
tion and proprietary rights. Society), ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Test-
6.2.10 Where appropriate, as determined by the agency’s ing), NICET (National Institute for Certification of Engineer-
quality manual, participate in interlaboratory comparisons and ing Technicians), ICC (International Code Council), ICBO
proficiency testing programs. (International Council of Building Officials), BOCA (Building
Officials Code Administration), as appropriate for the work
7. Personnel
being performed, or certification by other qualified national
7.1 The agency shall have sufficient personnel having the
authorities as appropriate to the work; shall be considered as
necessary education, training, technical knowledge, certifica-
one means of documenting competency. The Inspector or
tion as appropriate, and experience for their assigned functions.
Technician shall work under the direct supervision of personnel
7.1.1 The agency shall ensure that the training of its
meeting the requirements of 7.2.2 or 7.2.3 (see Appendix X1).
personne
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