Special Inspection Application

To ensure building code compliance, Chapter 17 of the California Building Code requires that a Special Inspector shall demonstrate competence to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official when a specialized inspection is required. The Building Division has established the following application process for determining qualified special inspection agencies and testing laboratories who can perform work within the City of Mountain View.

If your agency is interested in obtaining a recognized status with the City of Mountain View on our approved list, please follow the steps below and submit electronically via email to building@mountainview.gov.

Note, if your agency is not able to meet all of these requirements nor submit all required information, the Building Division will not be able to consider your agency for qualification.

.BD-99 (07-31-26) Fillable

Cost

Application Fee:

• $415 for the initial review of the application package
• $256 to renew or update the information in the application package

Timeline 

Time to Process: Please allow two weeks to complete the application process.

Note: If an agency does not complete its renewal by the expiration date, it must re-apply as a new applicant.

Process

An agency may submit evidence of accreditation by the Division of the State Architect’s Laboratory Evaluation and Accreditation Program (DSALEA), International Accreditation Service (IAS), or other recognized accreditation service for evaluation. Complete evidence of approval shall be provided including the specific work categories. 

Please submit a cover letter requesting the listing of your agency's qualification and specific categories of inspection and testing services, along the following information:

1. Location of corporate office and all testing facilities operating in the region.
2. Name and resumes of Registered Professional Engineer(s) responsible for inspection and testing activities evidencing experience criteria as per ASTM E329-09, paragraph 6.2.1: "…the person shall be a licensed professional/ registered engineer and a full-time employee of that agency. The person shall have at least five years' engineering experience in testing and inspection of construction materials." Please note that resumés must be very specific in showing a minimum of five years experience in testing and inspection. Resumés shall identify dates and experience specific to testing and inspection.
3. Names and resumes of laboratory and field inspection supervisory personnel evidencing experience criteria.
   1. Laboratory Supervisors:
      1. Per ASTM E329-09, paragraph 6.2.2: "A laboratory supervisor shall have at least three years experience performing test on relevant construction materials." Please note that resumés must be very specific in showing a minimum of three years' experience in testing. Resumés shall identify dates and experience specific to testing.
      2. Certification by ACI (Laboratory Testing Technician, Grade I), NICET (Level III or higher), or equal.
   2. Field Supervisors:
      1. Per ASTM E329-09, paragraph 6.2.3: "A field inspector shall have at least three years' inspection experience in the type of work being supervised." Please note that resumés must be very specific in showing a minimum of three years' experience in inspection. Resumés shall identify dates and experience specific to inspection.
      2. Certification by ACI (Concrete Construction Special Inspector or Concrete Transportation Construction Inspector), ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector, NICET (Level III or higher), ASNT (Level II or III) or AWS (CWI), or equal.
4. An organizational chart that clearly demonstrates the relationship between the responsible engineer, supervisory personnel, and testing/inspection personnel.
5. A copy of your regional testing laboratory’s latest CCRL Inspection Record, including deficiencies and explanations with evidence of how deficiencies have been addressed. A copy of the firm’s DSA or IAS laboratory accreditation report may be submitted in lieu of the CCRL report. For agencies with no laboratory testing facility, the agency must:
   1. Provide evidence your agency has established a quality system appropriate to the type, range, and volume of its capabilities;
   2. Provide evidence your agency has the necessary equipment to perform field tests required during the sampling of fresh concrete (i.e., slump, temperature, unit weight, air entrainment); and
   3. Provide a list of qualified agencies performing laboratory testing on your behalf, outlining their scope of service, and including copies of subcontracts/agreements evidencing your arrangements with those firms. Any financial arrangements shall be blacked out prior to submittal.
6. A brief general description of the agency, including background information related to type of services offered, years in business, major projects, and areas served (a company brochure may satisfy this requirement).
7. Samples of the typical inspection, lab, and final compliance reports that your agency uses.
8. Matrix list of TEN (10) special inspectors showing inspection areas for which they are qualified by experience and appropriate certifications for RC, PC, SM, SW, HB, SWC, FP, S, W, and CG categories as noted in the table below.  Inspectors who do not have the necessary experience and certifications to meet these criteria will not be considered for qualifications. Special inspectors-in-training may be included in this matrix. Please provide a maximum of TEN (10) inspectors and include only those inspectors who are performing inspections and tests that are applicable to the program. Please follow the format in the SAMPLE MATRIX section.
9. Copies of applicable certifications and renewals and copies of fronts and backs of ID cards for all inspectors listed on the matrix. Except as permitted for “inspectors-in-training,” all special inspectors performing reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, structural masonry, fireproofing, and structural steel and welding special inspections shall be certified by applicable discipline. Please put certification and ID card packages in alphabetical order and submit only those certifications that are applicable to this program.
   1. Photo identification cards shall be provided for each inspector. The front of the card shall include the name and location of the issuing firm, inspector’s name and photograph, and a statement signed by the responsible engineer ensuring the employee is experienced and certified in accordance with the criteria of this program. The reverse side of the card shall identify appropriate special inspection and testing categories provided by the firm. ID cards shall use an "X" to designate qualification in each category and "I-T" to designate in-training. These designations must be placed clearly to the left side of the applicable inspection type.
10. Wet signed and stamped statements from the responsible professional engineer(s):
    1. That they are the full-time employee responsible for supervision of technical staff and that all qualification requirements and local building code requirements are followed by the agency and its employees.
    2. Certifying that special inspectors will perform in accordance with CBC Chapter 17 and that they are identified, qualified, and issued ID cards according to current guidelines.
    3. Assuring that testing and inspection services will be performed in compliance with procedures specified in ASTM E329-02, in particular, paragraph 10.1: “It shall be the responsibility of the agency to ensure that its employees perform only tests and inspections, or both, for which it is adequately equipped and staffed, and that its employees perform only tests and inspections, or both, for which they are adequately trained.”
    The required categorical information must be updated, including information for new employees, and submitted to the City of Mountain View at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the firm’s recognition. Any changes to agency name, ownership, key personnel, responsible professional engineer, or additions and deletions of offices within the region must be reported to the City of Mountain View within 60 days of the change. Failure to report these changes may result in revocation of a participating jurisdiction’s qualification of the agency.
11. Provide a signed copy of the RESPONSIBLE ENGINEER’S CERTIFICATION.

SAMPLE MATRIX (Note: Provide a maximum of TEN (10) special inspectors for each firm.)

Notification

After the completion of the City's review, an email will be sent to notify your agency of the determination to be added to the City's approved agency list online at: http://developmentpermits.mountainview.gov/about-permits/schedule-inspections/special-inspection.

Renewal Process

It is the agency’s responsibility to submit updated categorical information, including information for new employees, at least 90 days prior to the expiration date of the agency's qualification.

For renewal applications, please submit a cover letter with an agency's qualification and specific categories of inspection and testing services.

Approval Term 

Approval for both new or renewal applications are valid for up to TWO (2) years from the approval date.