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Realizing the Benefits of a Designated Accreditation Representative
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IAS inspection agency representative checking material
traceability with the fabricator's quality assurance manager.
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Did you know that fabricators that have a qualified Designated Accreditation Representative (DAR) can cut quarterly unannounced inspections by an International Accreditation Service (IAS)-accredited inspection agency in half? Or that a DAR could drive streamlined fabricator processes and quality?
It's true. For instance, Structural Steel Fabricator Programs with an approved
IAS DAR on their staff may benefit from a reduced number of inspections.
Currently, Section 4.2 of the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Fabricator
Inspection Programs for Structural Steel AC172 states, "The fabricator
must obtain the services of an IAS-accredited inspection agency, which is
accredited for the specified discipline, to conduct, at a minimum, quarterly
unannounced inspections (four per year) of the fabrication facility."
In effect, maintaining a staff person having DAR status could, over a period
of time, reduce the quarterly unannounced inspections.
So how do you qualify an individual as a DAR?
First, the individual must be designated by the fabricator and approved.
To gain approval, individuals must demonstrate their knowledge of the quality management system and technical operations of the fabricator through an on-site examination. This exam involves an assessment of the individual's general, practical and specific knowledge pertinent to the fabricator's current project documents, and the latest editions of established codes appropriate to the fabrication of structural steel members and its components.
This knowledge may include the ability to develop and implement procedures for detailing, procurement, bolting, welding, inspection and nondestructive testing; and operational procedures that include sawing, shearing, drilling and fitting practices, coatings, packaging, handling, and shipping of structural steel and/or its components. Then, the candidate must successfully pass an evaluation developed by the IAS Technical Advisory Council and administered by IAS, which includes questions about the common principles and concepts of steel construction; the development of quality plans; and IBC Chapter 17, Section 1704, on Special Inspections.
Typically, IAS and a fabricator's accredited inspection agency evaluate potential DAR candidates during an on-site joint review of a fabricator inspection program. DAR responsibilities are varied and technically specific. In particular, the DAR is responsible for reviewing instructions and/or procedures relative to activities affecting quality to determine if they are properly understood and implemented. As a minimum, the DAR must document quality plans and project specifications. These plans include proprietary buy-out items and subcontract fabrication. Project specifications include design drawings, detail drawings and other related documents.
The benefits for fabricators are many. Although welder test plates must be tested at an accredited testing laboratory, the DAR may administer welder qualification test plates. Further, the DAR is a proactive approach to addressing and maintaining a well-managed quality program that improves operational efficiency and drives confidence in the quality of fabricated items.