ARCOM’s MasterSpec® Names IAS for Quality Assurance
Designers who use ARCOM’s Masterspec® software to design metal buildings are now provided with language specifying manufacturers of metal building systems that are accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The IAS Inspection Program for Manufacturers of Metal Building Systems (AC472) is listed in Masterspec’s® 3rd Quarter update that was released in December 2011 to assist designers in meeting the quality assurance requirements for metal building manufacturers.
Masterspec® is a library of architectural and engineering master guide specification sections subscribed to by architects, engineers and specification writers nationwide. The new language includes IAS in the Masterspec Division 13 – Special Construction, Section 133419, Metal Building Systems.
IAS, a subsidiary of the International Code Council® (ICC®), accredits the inspection programs of metal building manufacturers to provide evidence that the programs meet the requirements in the International Building Code® (IBC®) Chapter 17. “The new specification language in ARCOM’s Masterspec® enables architects, engineers and specification writers to have confidence in the quality and code compliance of metal buildings when they specify IAS-accredited companies for projects,” said IAS President Chuck Ramani. “The final approval for any metal building inspection program is always the responsibility of the local building official. Oversight for the IAS accreditation program is provided by code officials from around the country that make up the majority of the IAS board of directors and accreditation committee,” said Ramani.
To achieve IAS accreditation, metal building manufacturers must pass a comprehensive assessment. The IAS accreditation process begins with an assessment of the fabricator’s quality manual and is followed by an on-site assessment of the shop. During the on-site assessment, IAS assesses the facility, manufacturing equipment, incoming raw materials, fabrication processes and traceability of the items fabricated. The fabricator is required to follow written procedures for design, welding, bolting, nondestructive testing, contract review, document control, purchasing, product traceability, process control, inspection and testing, nonconforming work, corrective actions, handling, storage and delivery of materials, internal audits, management reviews, control of quality records, and training. Fabricators are also required to have an in-house quality manager, a quality control inspector (certified by AWS, CWB or ICC) and certified welders. All welding personnel must use their own identifying number, letter or symbol for traceability, and 100 percent of the weldments must be visually inspected. IAS issues a certificate of accreditation once a fabricator has met the program criteria. Accredited fabricators are subject to two unannounced audits annually by third-party IAS-accredited inspection agencies to verify if each fabricator’s inspection program is being effectively implemented and that they are maintaining compliance with code requirements.
IAS is a recognized accreditation body and a subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC). For more information about IAS, visit www.iasonline.org or call 866-427-4422.