Construction and Accessibility Compliance Consulting and Inspection
Providing ADA compliance consulting and CASp inspection services for new and existing buildings as well as Class 1 DSA inspection for public school and community college construction projects throughout Southern California.
ADA Compliance and CASp Inspection
The term “ADA compliance” is widely used and understood to mean compliance with accessibility laws, rules and regulations. There are, however, several different statutes that combined, make up the laws governing accessibility.
Federal:
- 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36
- 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36, subpart D
- 2004 ADAAG at 36 CFR part 1191, appendices B and D
California:
- California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 2, Volume 1, Chapters 11A and 11B
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important, but complex law. At the state level, California’s code requirements are often stricter than Federal rules, making accessibility compliance even more challenging to navigate. A certified access specialist (CASp) understands the laws and regulations at both levels and can help you make your business more welcoming to all of your customers, more accessible to those with disabilities and compliant with the laws.
CASp inspections involve a review of buildings and sites for compliance with the above-mentioned codes.
We can, if appropriate, issue a CASp ACCESS INSPECTED CERTIFICATE and a CASp report detailing any accessibility barriers and detailed recommendations and timeline for remediation. A CASp report and certificate can grant you Qualified Defendant Status and provide some advantages in the event of litigation.
DSA Class 1 Inspection
Most public school and community college construction projects require near constant inspection by an inspector certified by DSA (Department of the State Architect). The impetus of the school construction inspection program was the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck, and in a matter of seconds, over one hundred schools in and around Long Beach were damaged — nearly 70 were completely destroyed. Investigation determined substandard materials, shoddy workmanship and inadequate soil preparation contributed to the building failures. Luckily, the quake occurred in the early morning hours and the schools were empty. Had the quake struck while class was in session, the fatalities could have been in the thousands.
One month later, California passed the Field Act, authorizing the State Architect to review and approve plans for public schools and to provide general construction oversite. DSA inspectors are not employees of the Division of the State Architect, but they are certified and approved by DSA for each project. They work closely with project architects and engineers and a DSA Field Engineer to ensure construction complies with the approved design and applicable codes. The focus is on Structural Safety, Fire Life Safety and Accessibility.
DSA Inspectors are required to meet the State Architect’s rigorous qualifications. Criteria includes extensive experience in construction and inspection, knowledge of relevant building codes and regulations, specialized training and certification.
Since DSA began implementing oversite enumerated in the Field Act, no public school in California has collapsed due to an earthquake.
If you need DSA inspection services or CASp expertise on your project, call: (805) 402-0009
ADA
CASp Inspection and Access Compliance Consulting
DSA Class 1 Inspection for Public School Construction