Appendix 11A

QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

1l A . l

QUALITY ASSURANCE

This section provides minimum requirements for quality assurance for seismic force-resisting systems and other designated
seismic systems. These requirements are not directly related to
computation of earthquake loads, but they are deemed essential
for satisfactory performance in an earthquake where designing
with the loads determined in accordance with this standard, due
to the substantial cyclic inelastic strain capacity assumed to exist
by the load procedures in this standard. These requirements supplement the testing and inspection requirements contained in the
reference documents given in Chapters 13 and 14. These requirements form an integral part of Chapters 11 through 23.

l l A . l . l Scope. As a minimum, the quality assurance provisions

apply to the following:
I. The seismic force-resisting systems in structures assigned
to Seismic Design Categories C, D, E, or F.
2. Mechanical and electrical components as specified in Section llA.1.3.10.
3. Designated seismic systems in structures assigned to Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.
EXCEPTIONS: Structures that comply with the following criteria
are exempt from the preparation of a quality assurance plan, but those
structures are not exempt from special inspection(s) or testing requirements:
i. The structure is constructed of light wood framing or light-gauge
cold-formed steel framing, SDs does not exceed 0.50, the height of
the structure does not exceed 35 ft above grade, and the structure
meets the requirements in items iii and iv in the following text.
or
ii. The structure is constructed using a reinforced masonry structural
system or reinforced concrete structural system, SDs does not exceed 0.50, the height of the structure does not exceed 25 ft above
grade, and the structure meets the requirements in items iii and iv
in the following text.
iii. The structure is classified as Occupancy Category I or 11.
iv. The structure does not have any of the following irregularities as
defined in Table 12.3-1 or 12.3-2:
(1) Torsional irregularity
(2) Extreme torsional irregularity
(3) Nonparallel systems irregularity
(4) Stiffness-soft story irregularity
(5) S t i f f n e s s ~ x t r e m esoft story irregularity
(6) Discontinuity in lateral strength-weak story irregularity
(7) Discontinuity in lateral strength-extreme weak story

llA.1.2 Quality Assurance Plan. A quality assurance plan

shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.
llA.1.2.1 Details of Quality Assurance Plan. The quality assurance plan shall specify the designated seismic systems or seismic force-resisting system in accordance with Section 11A. I. 1
that are subject to quality assurance. The registered design professional in responsible charge of the design of a seismic forceresisting system and a designated seismic system shall be responsible for the portion of the quality assurance plan applicable to that
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

system. The special inspections and special tests needed to establish that the construction is in conformance with this standard
shall be included in the portion of the quality assurance plan applicable to the designated seismic system. The quality assurance
plan shall include
a. The seismic force-resisting systems and designated seismic
systems in accordance with this chapter that are subject to
quality assurance.
b. The special inspections and testing to be provided as required by this standard and the reference documents in
Chapter 23.
c. The type and frequency of testing.
d. The type and frequency of special inspections.
e. The frequency and distribution of testing and special inspection reports.
f. The structural observations to be performed.
g. The frequency and distribution of structural observation reports.

llA.1.2.2 Contractor Responsibility. Each contractor responsible for the construction of a seismic force-resisting system,
designated seismic system, or component listed in the quality
assurance plan shall submit a written contractor's statement of
responsibility to the regulatory authority having jurisdiction and
to the owner prior to the commencement of work on the system
or component. The contractor's statement of responsibility shall
contain the following:
I. Acknowledgment of awareness of the special requirements
contained in the quality assurance plan.
2. Acknowledgment that control will be exercised to obtain
conformance with the design documents approved by the
authority having jurisdiction.
3. Procedures for exercising control within the contractor's
organization, the method and frequency of reporting, and
the distribution of the reports.
4. Identification and qualifications of the person(s) exercising
such control and their position(s) in the organization.

llA.1.3 Special Inspection and Testing. The building owner

shall employ a special inspector(s) to observe the construction
of all designated seismic systems in accordance with the quality
assurance plan for the following construction work. The authority
having jurisdiction shall have the option to approve the quality
assurance personnel of a fabricator as a special inspector. The
person in charge of the special inspector(s) and the testing services
shall be a registered design professional.
llA.1.3.1 Foundations. Periodic special inspection is required
during the
a. Driving of piles.
b. Construction of drilled piles, piers, and caissons.

c. Placement of reinforcing steel in piers, piles, caissons, and

shallow foundations.
d. Placement of concrete in piers, piles, caissons, and shallow
foundations.

11A.1.3.7.3 Periodic Special Inspection for Wood Sheathing. Periodic special inspections for nailing and other fastening
of wood sheathing used for wood shear walls, shear panels, and
diaphragms where the required fastener spacing is 4 in. or less,
and that are included in the seismic force-resisting system.

llA.1.3.2 Reinforcing Steel.

llA.1.3.2.1 Periodic Special Inspection. Periodic special inspection during and upon completion of the placement of reinforcing steel in intermediate and special moment frames of concrete
and concrete shear walls.
11A.1.3.2.2 Continuous Special Inspection. Continuous
special inspection is required during the welding of reinforcing
steel resisting flexural and axial forces in intermediate and special moment frames of concrete, in boundary members of concrete
shear walls, and welding of shear reinforcement.
llA.1.3.3 Structural Concrete. Periodic special inspection is
required during and on completion of the placement of concrete in
intermediate and special moment frames, and in boundary members of concrete shear walls.
llA.1.3.4 Prestressed Concrete. Periodic special inspection
during the placement and after the completion of placement of
prestressing steel and continuous special inspection is required
during all stressing and grouting operations and during the placement of concrete.
llA.1.3.5 Structural Masonry.
llA.1.3.5.1 Periodic Special Inspection. Periodic special inspection is required during the preparation of mortar, the laying
of masonry units, and placement of reinforcement; and prior to
placement of grout.
11A.1.3.5.2 Continuous Special Inspection. Continuous
special inspection is required during welding of reinforcement,
grouting, consolidation, and reconsolidation, and placement of
bent-bar anchors as required by Section 14.4.
llA.1.3.6 Structural Steel.
llA.1.3.6.1 Continuous Special Inspection. Continuous
special inspection is required for all structural welding.
EXCEPTION: Periodic special inspection for single-pass fillet or resistance welds and welds loaded to less than 50 percent of their design
strength shall be the minimum requirement, provided the qualifications of
the welder and the welding electrodes are inspected at the beginning of
the work and all welds are inspected for compliance with the approved
construction documents at the completion of welding.

11A.1.3.6.2 Periodic Special Inspection. Periodic special inspection is required in accordance with AISC LRFD or AISC ASD
for installation and tightening of fully tensioned high-strength
bolts in slip-critical connections and in connections subject to
direct tension. Bolts in connections identified as not being slipcritical or subject to direct tension need not be inspected for bolt
tension other than to ensure that the plies of the connected elements have been brought into snug contact.
llA.1.3.7 Structural Wood.
llA.1.3.7.1 Continuous Special Inspection. Continuous
special inspection is required during all field gluing operations
of elements of the seismic force-resisting system.
11A.1.3.7.2 Periodic Special Inspection for Components.
Periodic special inspection is required for nailing, bolting, anchoring, and other fastening of components within the seismic forceresisting system including drag struts, braces, and hold downs.

240

llA.1.3.8 Cold-Formed Steel Framing

llA.1.3.8.1 Periodic Special Inspection for Welding. Periodic special inspection is required during all welding operations
of elements of the seismic force-resisting system.
11A.1.3.8.2 Periodic Special Inspection for Components.
Periodic special inspection is required for screw attachment, bolting, anchoring, and other fastening of components within the
seismic force-resisting system, including struts, braces, and holddowns.
llA.1.3.9 Architectural Components. Special inspection for
architectural components shall be as follows:
I. Periodic special inspection during the erection and fastening
of exterior cladding, interior and exterior nonbearing walls,
and interior and exterior veneer in structures assigned to
Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.
EXCEPTIONS:
a. Architectural components less than 30 ft (9 m) above grade or walling surface.
b. Cladding and veneer weighing 5 lb/ft2 (239 N/m2) or less.
c. Interior nonbearing walls weighing 15 lb/ft2 (718 N/m2) or less.

2. Periodic special inspection during the anchorage of access

floors and the installation of suspended ceiling grids, and
storage racks 8 ft (2.5 m) or greater in height in structures
assigned to Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.

3. Periodic special inspection during erection of glass 30 ft

(9 m) or more above an adjacent grade or walking surface in
glazed curtain walls, glazed storefronts, and interior glazed
partitions in structures assigned to Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F.

llA.1.3.10 Mechanical and Electrical Components. Special

inspection for mechanical and electrical components shall be as
follows:
I. Periodic special inspection during the anchorage of electrical equipment for emergency or standby power systems in
structures assigned to Seismic Design Categories C, D, E,
or F.
2. Periodic special inspection during the installation of anchorage of all other electrical equipment in Seismic Design
Categories E or F.

3. Periodic special inspection during the installation for

flammable, combustible, or highly toxic piping systems and
their associated mechanical units in Seismic Design Categories C, D, E, or F.
4. Periodic special inspection during the installation of HVAC
ductwork that will contain hazardous materials in Seismic
Design Categories C, D, E, or F.
5. Periodic special inspection during the installation of vibration isolation systems where the construction documents
indicate a maximum clearance (air gap) between the equipment support frame and restraint less than or equal to 114
in.

ASCE 7-05

llA.1.3.11 Seismic Isolation System. Periodic special inspection is required during the fabrication and installation of isolator
units and energy dissipation devices if used as part of the seismic
isolation system.
1 1A.2 TESTING
The special inspector(s) shall be responsible for verifying that the
special test requirements are performed by an approved testing
agency for the types of work in designated seismic systems listed
in the following text.

llA.2.1 Reinforcing and Prestressing Steel. Special testing of

reinforcing and prestressing steel shall be as follows:
llA.2.1.1 Certified Mill Test Reports. Examine certified mill
test reports for each shipment of reinforcing steel used to resist
flexural and axial forces in reinforced concrete intermediate and
special moment frames and boundary members of reinforced concrete shear walls or reinforced masonry shear walls and determine
conformance with construction documents.
llA.2.1.2 ASTM A615 Reinforcing Steel. Where ASTM A615
reinforcing steel is used to resist earthquake-induced flexural and
axial forces in special moment frames and in wall boundary elements of shear walls in structures assigned to Seismic Design
Categories D, E, or F, verify that the requirements of Section
21.2.5.1 of ACI 318 have been satisfied.
llA.2.1.3 Welding of ASTM A615 Reinforcing Steel. Where
ASTM A615 reinforcing steel is to be welded, verify that chemical
tests have been performed to determine weld ability in accordance
with Section 3.5.2 of ACI 318.
llA.2.2 Structural Concrete. Samples of structural concrete
shall be obtained at the project site and tested in accordance with
requirements of Section 5.6 of ACI 3 18.
llA.2.3 Structural Masonry. Quality assurance testing of
structural masonry shall be in accordance with the requirements
of ACI 530lASCE 51TMS 402 or ACI 530.llASCE 6lTMS 602.
llA.2.4 Structural Steel. The testing needed to establish that
the construction is in conformance with this standard shall be
included in a quality assurance plan. The minimum testing contained in the quality assurance plan shall be as required in AISC
Seismic and the following requirements:
llA.2.5 Base Metal Testing. Base metal thicker than 1.5 in.
(38 mm), where subject to through-thickness weld shrinkage
strains, shall be ultrasonically tested for discontinuities behind
and adjacent to such welds after joint completion. Any material
discontinuities shall be accepted or rejected on the basis of ASTM
A435, or ASTM A898, and criteria as established by the registered

Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

design professional(s) in responsible charge and the construction

documents.

llA.2.6 Seismic-Isolated Structures. For required system

tests, see Section 17.8.
llA.2.7 Mechanical and Electrical Equipment. The special
inspector shall examine mechanical and electrical equipment that
are a designated seismic system and shall determine whether its
anchorages and label conform with the certificate of compliance.
11A.3 STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS
Structural observations shall be provided for those structures included in Seismic Design Categories D, E, or F where one or more
of the following conditions exist:
I. The structure is included in Occupancy Category I11 or IV.
2. The height of the structure is greater than 75 ft above the
base.
3. The structure is assigned to Seismic Design Category E and
Occupancy Category I or I1 and is greater than two stories
in height.
Structural observations shall be performed by a registered design professional. Observed deficiencies shall be reported in writing to the owner and the authority having jurisdiction.

11A.4 REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE

PROCEDURES
Each special inspector shall furnish to the authority having jurisdiction, registered design professional in responsible charge,
the owner, the persons preparing the quality assurance plan, and
the contractor copies of regular weekly progress reports of his or
her observations, noting therein any uncorrected deficiencies and
corrections of previously reported deficiencies. All deficiencies
shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for
correction. At completion of construction, each special inspector shall submit a final report to the authority having jurisdiction
certifying that all inspected work was completed substantially in
accordance with approved construction documents. Work not in
compliance shall be described in the final report. At completion
of construction, the building contractor shall submit a final report
to the authority having jurisdiction certifying that all construction work incorporated into the seismic force-resisting system
and other designated seismic systems was constructed substantially in accordance with the approved construction documents
and applicable workmanship requirements. Work not in compliance shall be described in the final report. The contractor shall
correct all deficiencies as required.

Appendix 11B

EXISTING BUILDING PROVISIONS

llB.l

SCOPE

The provisions of this appendix shall apply to the design and

construction of alterations and additions and to existing structures
with a change in use.

11B.2 STRUCTURALLY INDEPENDENT ADDITIONS

An addition that is structurally independent from an existing structure shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the
seismic requirements for new structures.

11B.3 STRUCTURALLY DEPENDENT ADDITIONS

Where an addition is not structurally independent from an existing
structure, the addition and alterations to the existing structure
shall be designed and constructed such that the entire structure
conforms to the seismic force-resistance requirements for new
structures.
EXCEPTIONS: The entire structure shall not be required to comply with
the seismic force-resistance requirements for new structures where all of
the following conditions are met:
1. The addition complies with the requirements for new structures.
2. The addition does not increase the seismic forces in any structural
element of the existing structure by more than 10 percent unless
the capacity of the element subject to the increased forces is still in
compliance with this standard.
3. The addition does not decrease the seismic resistance of any structural element of the existing structure unless the reduced resistance
is equal to or greater than that required for new structures.

design strength of any existing structural element to resist seismic forces by more than 10 percent shall not be permitted unless
the entire seismic force-resisting system is determined to comply
with this standard for a new structure.
EXCEPTIONS: Alterations to existing structural elements or additions
of new structural elements that are not required by this standard and are
initiated forthe purpose of increasing the strength or stiffness of the seismic
force-resisting system of an existing structure shall not be required to be
designed for forces in accordance with this standard provided that an
engineering analysis is submitted indicating the following:
1. The design strengths of existing structural elements required to resist
seismic forces are not reduced.

2. The seismic force to required existing structural elements is not

increased beyond their design strength.
3. New structural elements are detailed and connected to the existing
structural elements as required by this standard.

4. New or relocated nonstructural elements are detailed and connected

to existing or new structural elements as required by this standard.
5. The alteration does not create a structural irregularity or make an
existing irregularity more severe.

11B.5 CHANGE OF USE

Where a change of use results in a structure being reclassified
to a higher occupancy category as defined in Table 1-1 of this
standard, the structure shall conform to the seismic requirements
for new construction.
EXCEPTIONS:

11B.4 ALTERATIONS

1. Where a change of use results in a structure being reclassified from

Occupancy Category I or I1 to Occupancy Category 111and the structure is located in a seismic map area where S D <~0.33, compliance
with the seismic requirements of this standard is not required.

Alterations are permitted to be made to any structure without

requiring the existing structure to comply with this standard provided the alterations comply with the requirements for a new
structure. Alterations that increase the seismic force in any existing structural element by more than 10 percent or decrease the

2. Specific seismic detailing requirements of this standard for a new

structure need not be met where it can be shown that the level of
performance and seismic safety is equivalent to that of a new structure. Such analysis shall consider the regularity, overstrength, redundancy, and ductility of the structure within the context of the
existing and retrofit (if any) detailing provided.

Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

Appendix C

SERVICEABILITY CONSIDERATIONS
C. SERVICEABILITY CONSIDERATIONS

C.2 DESIGN FOR LONG-TERM DEFLECTION

This Appendix is not a mandatory part of the standard, but provides guidance for design for serviceability in order to maintain
the function of a building and the comfort of its occupants during
normal usage. Serviceability limits (e.g., maximum static deformations, accelerations, etc.) shall be chosen with due regard to
the intended function of the structure.

Where required for acceptable building performance, members

and systems shall be designed to accommodate long-term irreversible deflections under sustained load.

Serviceability shall be checked using appropriate loads for the

limit state being considered.

Special camber requirements that are necessary to bring a loaded

member into proper relations with the work of other trades shall
be set forth in the design documents.

C.l

Beams detailed without specified camber shall be positioned

during erection so that any minor camber is upward. If camber
involves the erection of any member under preload, this shall be
noted in the design documents.

DEFLECTION, VIBRATION, AND DRIFT

C.l.l Vertical Deflections. Deformations of floor and roof

members and systems due to service loads shall not impair the
serviceability of the structure.
C.1.2 Drift of Walls and Frames. Lateral deflection or drift of
structures and deformation of horizontal diaphragms and bracing
systems due to wind effects shall not impair the serviceability of
the structure.
C.1.3 Vibrations. Floor systems supporting large open areas
free of partitions or other sources of damping, where vibration
due to pedestrian traffic might be objectionable, shall be designed
with due regard for such vibration.
Mechanical equipment that can produce objectionable vibrations in any portion of an inhabited structure shall be isolated to
minimize the transmission of such vibrations to the structure.
Building structural systems shall be designed so that windinduced vibrations do not cause occupant discomfort or damage
to the building, its appurtenances or contents.

Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures

C.3 CAMBER

C.4 EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION

Dimensional changes in a structure and its elements due to variations in temperature, relative humidity, or other effects shall not
impair the serviceability of the structure.
Provision shall be made either to control crack widths or to
limit cracking by providing relief joints.

C.5 DURABILITY
Buildings and other structures shall be designed to tolerate longterm environmental effects or shall be protected against such effects.