IAS eNews
Special Inspection Agencies Gear Up for Accreditation
Not long ago, the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, required all of its special inspection agencies meet the IBC Special Inspection Agency Accreditation criteria and gain accreditation from a recognized accreditation body.
Earl Russell, Deputy Director for the Building and Safety Department of the City of Las Vegas, says, "Accreditation requirements from a recognized agency like IAS are more stringent than our in-house evaluation program. Outside accreditation takes the burden off of us and saves money since there is little or no cost to the building department. Better yet, we are assured that our approved special inspection agencies are regularly assessed for quality and competence."
Since then, a number of special inspection agencies that serve the Las Vegas area have requested accreditation through IAS. In response, as of July 2006, 15 special inspection agencies have met the requirements of this stringent process and have been accredited to work for the City's Building and Safety Department. All together, 25 special inspection agencies have requested IAS accreditation.
This accreditation program is aimed at assuring building departments that special inspection agencies are fully competent to determine if construction meets the material and workmanship requirements under Chapter 17 of the International Building Code® (IBC).
To gain accreditation, an agency must submit an application and document its quality management system to show compliance with the IAS Accreditation Criteria for IBC Special Inspection Agencies. Once IAS has reviewed and approved the quality management system manual, specially trained IAS assessors arrange an on-site assessment at the special inspection agency's office as well as field assessments at construction sites to evaluate the technical competence of the agency's inspectors. After accreditation is granted, the special inspection agency must undergo periodic on-site surveillance assessments to assure quality and competence.
Building departments interested in finding out more information about the IBC Special Inspection Agency Accreditation program to support your jurisdiction, please contact IAS.