2021 International Building Code, Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests, SECTION 1703 APPROVALS
1703.1 Approved agency.
An approved agency shall provide all information as necessary for the building official to determine that the agency meets the applicable requirements specified in Sections 1703.1.1 through 1703.1.3.
1703.1.1 Independence.
An approved agency shall be objective, competent and independent from the contractor responsible for the work being inspected. The agency shall disclose to the building official and the registered design professional in responsible charge possible conflicts of interest so that objectivity can be confirmed.
1703.1.2 Equipment.
An approved agency shall have adequate equipment to perform required tests. The equipment shall be periodically calibrated.
1703.1.3 Personnel.
An approved agency shall employ experienced personnel educated in conducting, supervising and evaluating tests and special inspections.
1703.2 Written approval.
Any material, appliance, equipment, system or method of construction meeting the requirements of this code shall be approved in writing after satisfactory completion of the required tests and submission of required test reports.
1703.3 Record of approval.
For any material, appliance, equipment, system or method of construction that has been approved, a record of such approval, including the conditions and limitations of the approval, shall be kept on file in the building official's office and shall be available for public review at appropriate times.
1703.4 Performance.
Specific information consisting of test reports conducted by an approved agency in accordance with the appropriate referenced standards, or other such information as necessary, shall be provided for the building official to determine that the product, material or assembly meets the applicable code requirements.
1703.4.1 Research and investigation.
Sufficient technical data shall be submitted to the building official to substantiate the proposed use of any product, material or assembly. If it is determined that the evidence submitted is satisfactory proof of performance for the use intended, the building official shall approve the use of the product, material or assembly subject to the requirements of this code. The costs, reports and investigations required under these provisions shall be paid by the owner or the owner's authorized agent.
1703.4.2 Research reports.
Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of products, materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.
1703.5 Labeling.
Products, materials or assemblies required to be labeled shall be labeled in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 1703.5.1 through 1703.5.4.
1703.5.1 Testing.
An approved agency shall test a representative sample of the product, material or assembly being labeled to the relevant standard or standards. The approved agency shall maintain a record of the tests performed. The record shall provide sufficient detail to verify compliance with the test standard.
1703.5.2 Inspection and identification.
The approved agency shall periodically perform an inspection, which shall be in-plant if necessary, of the product or material that is to be labeled. The inspection shall verify that the labeled product, material or assembly is representative of the product, material or assembly tested.
1703.5.3 Label information.
The label shall contain the manufacturer's identification, model number, serial number or definitive information describing the performance characteristics of the product, material or assembly and the approved agency's identification.
1703.5.4 Method of labeling.
Information required to be permanently identified on the product, material or assembly shall be acid etched, sand blasted, ceramic fired, laser etched, embossed or of a type that, once applied, cannot be removed without being destroyed.
1703.6 Evaluation and follow-up inspection services.
Where structural components or other items regulated by this code are not visible for inspection after completion of a prefabricated assembly, the owner or the owner's authorized agent shall submit a report of each prefabricated assembly. The report shall indicate the complete details of the assembly, including a description of the assembly and its components, the basis upon which the assembly is being evaluated, test results and similar information and other data as necessary for the building official to determine conformance to this code. Such a report shall be approved by the building official.
1703.6.1 Follow-up inspection.
The owner or the owner's authorized agent shall provide for special inspections of fabricated items in accordance with Section 1704.2.5.
1703.6.2 Test and inspection records.
Copies of necessary test and special inspection records shall be filed with the building official.
DrJ Commentary: DrJ is an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited product certification body. The 17065 accreditation process ensures that all product certification bodies comply with the requirements of 2021 International Building Code (IBC) Section 1703. DrJ meets these requirements in the following ways:
- Independence is maintained in accordance with IBC Section 1703.1.1.
- Personnel are competent to perform the work in accordance with IBC Section 1703.1.3.
- DrJ Technical Evaluation Reports (TERs) provide the building official with the information required to approve a product in accordance with IBC Section 1703.2 through Section 1703.4.
- Follow-up inspections are performed by an ISO/IEC 17020 third-party agency for quality assurance to verify that the labeled product or material is representative of the material or product tested in accordance with IBC Section 1703.5.2. Per ISO/IEC 17065, DrJ administers evaluation activities for third-party inspections.
- Where required, evaluation and follow-up services are provided in accordance with IBC Section 1703.6.