PCI Signs Accreditation Agreement with IAS
The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute and the International Accreditation Service (IAS) have completed a cooperation agreement that will enable PCI-certified plants to apply their PCI certification toward accreditation by IAS as an approved structural fabricator, in accordance with the IAS AC 157 program.
Section 1704 of the International Building Code (IBC) requires special inspections of fabricated structural, load-bearing members unless an approved fabricator is used. One method to demonstrate code compliance is to use an approved fabricator that meets the requirements of IAS AC157, Accreditation for Fabricator Inspection Programs for Reinforced and Precast/Prestressed Concrete.
Accreditation as an approved fabricator under the IAS program provides building owners, specifiers, engineers, and architects with the utmost confidence that the fabricator consistently demonstrates competency in manufacturing the highest-quality precast concrete for a wide variety of building and transportation projects. Accreditation also provides building departments with a means to register and approve fabricators.
The added benefit of approved fabricator accreditation differentiates PCI-certified plants from other suppliers and will allow PCI plants to demonstrate clear compliance with Section 1704 of the IBC. This will eliminate the need for continuous special inspection at the fabricator, potentially saving time and reducing project costs.
During the process of obtaining IAS accreditation for PCI’s Plant Certification Program, PCI staff and members worked diligently with IAS staff to bring the requirements of PCI certification into as close alignment as possible with the requirements of AC157. Since then, IAS and PCI have been working together to reach agreement that by meeting the technical and inspection requirements of PCI certification, and accreditation program oversight from IAS, a PCI plant also meets the associated requirements of AC157. This culminated in the signing of the official agreement between PCI and IAS that acknowledges this.
About PCI
Founded in 1954, The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is a technical institute for the precast concrete structures and systems industry. PCI develops, maintains, and disseminates the Body of Knowledge for the design, fabrication, and construction of precast concrete structures and systems. PCI develops consensus base standards, industry handbooks, quality assurance programs, certification, research and development projects, design manuals, continuing education and periodical publications. PCI members include precast concrete producers, erectors, suppliers, professional engineers and architects, educators, students, and industry consultants who complement the wide range of knowledge of precast concrete. For more additional information, visit pci.org.
About IAS
The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a nonprofit accreditation body and a subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC). IAS accredits organizations seeking to demonstrate the highest level of competence and service in their respective industries, including fabricator inspection programs, testing and calibration laboratories, product certification agencies, personnel certification bodies, management system certification bodies, inspection agencies, special inspection agencies, inspection programs for metal building manufacturers, metal building assembler inspection programs, training agencies, curriculum developers, field evaluation bodies, fire prevention and life safety departments, building departments and building department service providers. Providing accreditation services since 1975, IAS is one of the leading accreditation bodies in the United States and a signatory to several international mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs). For more information, visit iasonline.org.
