900.1 – General Requirements

A. Consultant Recommendations for Scope of Work:

1. For most projects, Colorado State University engages professional agencies to provide investigation, testing, analysis, and construction-inspection services.

2. Consultants shall assist CSU in determining the types, locations, and quantities of testing necessary to provide the data and analysis required for a complete and accurate design.

a. Studies may include investigations of surface or subsurface conditions, environmental impacts, traffic, building performance, concealed-component imaging, and hazardous materials.

3. The recommended Scope of Work, including surveys, tests, and investigations, shall be submitted to the Project Representative as soon as possible and no later than the preliminary Written Report.

900.2 – Testing Laboratory

A. Qualifications:

1. The testing-agency laboratory shall be licensed to operate as a commercial testing laboratory and shall have been inspected by the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory or the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory within the previous three years.

2. The Colorado-registered Professional Engineer in charge of the laboratory shall be a full-time employee and shall have at least five years of experience in construction-materials testing.

3. Laboratory and field technicians shall be qualified through applicable certification by NICET, ACI, NRMCA, PCA, AWS, ASNT, or through a degree in a related engineering field with construction-field experience.

4. All laboratory and field equipment used for the project shall be calibrated and certified in conformance with national standards.

5. Records of inspections, documentation showing correction of deficiencies, and AMRL or CCRL reference-sample program test results shall be provided to the Project Representative for review.

B. Control of Measuring and Test Equipment:

1. The Testing Laboratory shall select measuring and test equipment that provides the proper type, range, accuracy, calibration, and tolerance for determining compliance with specified requirements.

2. Measuring and test devices shall be calibrated, adjusted, and maintained at prescribed intervals before use, based on equipment stability and other conditions affecting measurement.

3. Provisions shall be made for proper handling and storage of equipment.

4. Calibration shall use certified standards having a known traceable relationship to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

5. Each calibrated measuring and test device shall display its current status, date of last calibration, and due date for the next calibration.

6. Calibration records shall be maintained as quality records and made available to the Project Representative upon request.

C. Surveillance of Inspections:

1. When a public agency having jurisdiction requires University surveillance of inspections or tests, the Consultant shall notify the Project Representative of the place, date, and time at least 48 hours before the inspection or test.

D. Retain Tested Materials and Data:

1. The Testing Agency shall maintain tested materials and testing data until Final Completion of the Project or Construction Agreement, unless otherwise directed in writing by the Project Representative.

2. Tests and tested materials shall be available during the bidding period for review by proposers.

900.3 – Geotechnical Soils Testing Precautions

A. Unless otherwise directed by the Project Representative, a Colorado-licensed surveyor shall lay out and locate all test-pit locations before sampling.

B. Protection of Property and Work in Progress:

1. The Geotechnical Testing Agency shall take reasonable precautions for safety and shall protect the following from damage, injury, or loss:

a. Property at or adjacent to the Work site, including trees, shrubs, lawns, walks, pavements, roadways, structures, and utilities not designated for removal, relocation, or replacement.

b. The agency shall provide all required notices, comply with applicable laws and lawful orders related to property protection, and keep the Project Representative and other Project Teams informed of its precautions.

c. If agency operations damage public or private property, the agency shall promptly repair or replace the property before the Work is accepted.

C. Protection of University, Municipal, and Public-Service Utility Systems:

1. Before starting Work, the Geotechnical Testing Agency shall communicate with all governmental agencies and private entities having jurisdiction over utility systems that may be affected.

2. After Work begins, operations shall be performed to minimize disruption to utilities.

D. Protection of the Environment:

1. The Geotechnical Testing Agency shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements, including noise control, fugitive-dust control, prevention of surface-water and groundwater contamination, and hazardous- and other-waste disposal procedures.

E. Hazardous Materials:

1. The Geotechnical Testing Agency shall exercise the utmost care when hazardous materials are stored or used for the Work.

2. Purchase, storage, use, removal, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials shall remain the agency’s responsibility and shall be supervised by qualified personnel.

a. Activities involving hazardous materials shall not begin until the Project Representative has been notified in writing and has accepted the proposed action in writing.

b. Use and storage of explosives are prohibited.

F. Archaeological and Historical Discoveries:

1. The Geotechnical Testing Agency shall notify the Project Representative of evidence suggesting that archaeological or historical materials or human remains may be present.

2. Upon discovery, the agency shall avoid disturbing the area.

a. Work may need to be redirected or stopped until the Project Representative determines how to proceed.

900.4 – Geotechnical Report

A. To establish the Scope of Work for the Geotechnical Report, the Geotechnical Engineer shall confer with the Project Representative and Project Team regarding:

1. Building use.

2. Number of levels.

3. Loading.

4. Allowable movement tolerances.

5. Parking and pavement areas.

6. Site grading.

7. Retaining-wall locations.

8. Borrow and cut areas.

B. Boring and Sampling:

1. The Geotechnical Engineer shall coordinate the number and location of borings and the frequency and type of tests with the Project Representative and Project Team.

2. Minimum Geotechnical Borings:

a. One boring for every 2,500 to 5,000 square feet of building footprint.

b. One boring per level of multi-elevation lower levels.

c. One boring per 20,000 square feet of pavement or flatwork.

d. One boring per 250 feet of roadway.

e. One boring at each bridge abutment.

f. One boring every 100 feet of retaining wall requiring geotechnical design parameters.

g. Borings at unique features such as pools, water features, large signs, and monuments.

h. One boring every five acres of developed space where future structures may be constructed.

3. Minimum Geotechnical Boring Depth:

a. Paving Areas:

i. Shallow: 5 to 10 feet.

b. Building Areas:

i. At least 25 feet deep or at least 10 feet into bedrock, whichever is deeper, with at least one boring 50 feet deep.

ii. Where deep foundation systems will be used, bedrock penetration shall be at least 20 feet.

4. Frequency of Sampling:

a. Initial:

i. Every 5 feet of depth.

b. If soil conditions are consistent across the site, sampling frequency may be reduced at the Geotechnical Engineer’s discretion.

C. Testing:

1. Typical Tests:

a. The Geotechnical Consultant shall provide a standard unit-rate sheet for available tests and coordinate the type and number of tests with the Project Representative and Project Team.

b. Natural moisture content and in-place density:

i. Two tests per foundation boring and one test per pavement boring.

c. Atterberg Limits Test:

i. Two tests per foundation boring.

d. No. 200 sieve analysis for all fine-grained soils:

i. Two tests per foundation boring.

e. Swell consolidation testing with one-ksf surcharge:

i. One test per foundation boring.

f. Swell consolidation testing with 200-psf surcharge:

i. As needed for pavements.

g. Sulfate testing:

i. At least one test per structure.

h. Unconfined compressive-strength test:

i. One test per structure.

i. Sulfate, resistivity, and pH tests:

i. At least two tests per project.

j. Soil-support test, R-value, or resilient modulus:

i. At least one representative subgrade sample per project.

2. Additional Tests as Applicable:

a. Full-gradation sieve analysis when more than 50 percent is retained on the No. 200 sieve.

b. Sulfate, resistivity, and pH tests for multiple cohesive soils in contact with concrete or steel.

c. Swell consolidation for multiple soil types.

d. Unconfined compressive strength for multiple soil types.

e. Suction testing for expansive-soil conditions.

f. Proctor testing.

g. Direct shear for retaining walls and slopes.

h. Triaxial strength for overburden soft soils supporting heavy structures.

i. Rock-quality testing for cemented bedrock that can be cored.

j. Permeability testing.

D. The Geotechnical Report should address:

1. Site, soil, and geologic conditions, including bedrock and groundwater.

2. Potential geohazards, including faults, radon gas, and underground mines.

3. Foundation recommendations, including shallow-foundation bearing capacity and/or deep-foundation end-bearing capacity and skin-friction values, with movement potential of 1 inch or less.

4. Alternative-foundation feasibility.

5. Floor-slab recommendations, including post-construction total movement of 1 inch or less and differential movement potential of one-half the total value over a stated distance.

a. Verify acceptable movement tolerances with the Structural Engineer or Architect.

6. Lateral earth-pressure recommendations for below-grade levels.

7. Seismic site classifications.

8. Excavation considerations.

9. Project earthwork, including site grading, backfill recommendations, and soil stabilization.

10. Soil-corrosivity information.

11. Underdrain recommendations and waterproofing concerns.

12. Utility-excavation recommendations.

13. Temporary and permanent slope configurations.

14. Exterior-flatwork subgrade preparation.

15. Pavement thickness and subgrade recommendations.

16. Surface-drainage recommendations.

E. Contents:

1. Cover:

a. CSU project name and number.

b. Date.

c. Geotechnical Consultant name, address, phone number, and email address.

2. Letter of transmittal and certification with original signature and seal of the Geotechnical Engineer.

3. Table of contents.

4. Project narrative.

5. Purpose of investigation.

6. Proposed construction.

7. Site and field exploration.

8. Laboratory tests.

9. Site conditions.

10. Subsurface conditions.

11. Engineering analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

12. Site plan and boring-location diagram, including survey coordinates.

13. Boring logs.

14. Laboratory test results.

15. Notes, definitions, and terminology.

900.5 – Construction Testing and Material Inspections

A. All test and inspection records shall be prepared, identified, and maintained by the Testing Agency, with copies submitted to the Project Representative.

B. Records shall be protected from damage, deterioration, or loss.

C. Quality records shall be retained for at least five years after final payment.

D. Test Results:

1. Test results shall be submitted to the Project Team and Project Representative after completion of inspections or tests and before the item is incorporated into the Work, unless testing must occur after installation.

2. Field density and moisture tests shall be reported in draft form immediately at the test site, with final typed results provided within 48 hours.

3. Test reports shall include worksheets showing all calculations used to obtain the results.

4. All test results shall be reviewed and signed by a licensed Professional Engineer registered in Colorado.

5. The signature confirms that procedures conformed to applicable standards, calculations are accurate, equipment was calibrated, samples were uncontaminated, and personnel were qualified.

E. The testing laboratory shall submit a Monthly Summary Report describing quality-control tests and inspections performed during the reporting period.

F. The Monthly Summary Report shall include graphics and text and identify test types, locations, testers, results, calculations, applicable specifications, pass/fail status, material supplier, installer, and Consultant.

G. Material-performance trends shall include a statistical evaluation of each test type, summarized in an overview for each Monthly Report.

H. The Monthly Report shall be submitted according to Chapter 02 – Design Administration.

I. Records:

1. Inspection and test records are quality records and shall preserve item identification, acceptability, and traceability.

2. Reports shall identify:

a. Testing Agency and Engineer names.

b. Agreement number and title.

c. Testing-laboratory name.

d. Items inspected or tested, including physical description, model, and make.

e. Quantity of items.

f. Inspection or test procedure and deviations from national standards.

g. Dates samples were taken and tests were performed.

h. Test location and applicable environmental conditions.

i. Inspector or tester name.

j. Observations and comments.

k. Specified Agreement requirements.

l. Acceptability.

m. Deviations and nonconformance.

n. Corrective action.

o. Evaluation of results.

p. Signature of authorized evaluator.

q. Location where the material was installed.

 

901.1 – Agencies

A. Agencies having jurisdiction over CSU projects include:

1. Building Code:

a. All design and construction Work is governed by the Colorado Office of the State Architect under the Building Code Compliance Policy.

b. Facilities Management maintains a Building Department under OSA delegation. Refer to the CSU Building Department website for details.

c. Refer to the OSA website for additional information.

2. Fire and Life Safety:

a. Poudre Fire Authority has a memorandum of understanding with CSU to perform fire- and life-safety plan reviews and inspections.

i. All testing and inspections shall be conducted with FM Fire Systems and Poudre Fire Authority present.

ii. This includes visual underground, rough-in, hard-lid, and hydrostatic inspections and tests.

b. The Project Representative shall coordinate review milestones with Poudre Fire Authority as needed.

c. Refer to Poudre Fire Authority’s website for additional information.

3. Public Health and Environment:

a. CSU is subject to orders, rules, and regulations of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

b. CSU Environmental Health Services enforces requirements related to hazardous chemicals, laboratories, lead and asbestos, radiation sources, and biosafety. Facilities Management enforces requirements for drinking water, stormwater, and air emissions.

c. Design and construction involving food safety, water quality, sanitation, and communicable-disease control are subject to review, approval, and inspection by the EHS Public Health Officer.

i. This includes food-preparation and retail areas, child-care centers, summer camps, swimming pools, spas, locker rooms, and similar facilities.

d. Refer to the EHS website for additional information.

4. Stormwater Management:

a. CSU administers its own Stormwater Management Program under State Permit No. COR-070002 for stormwater discharges associated with non-standard municipal separate storm-sewer systems.

b. Refer to Part IV – Regulatory Requirements for construction and post-construction stormwater requirements and Stormwater Control Measures.

5. Floodplain Management:

a. CSU Main Campus contains a 100-year floodplain administered by Facilities Management under Colorado Water Conservation Board rules and regulations.

b. Refer to Part IV – Regulatory Requirements for floodplain boundaries and requirements for new construction and redevelopment.

6. Local Zoning Administration:

a. The Project Representative shall coordinate review and acceptance for compliance with applicable City of Fort Collins zoning and Larimer County land-use regulations.

b. Refer to the City of Fort Collins Site Plan Advisory Review process.

901.2 – Compliance

A. Code Review Agent Responsibility:

1. The Code Review Agent shall comply with current OSA Code Compliance Plan Review Procedures.

2. Design and construction shall use the latest adopted codes identified in the solicitation documents, including OSA additions and revisions.

3. Refer to the OSA website for current Approved State Building Codes.

B. Plan Review:

1. The Project Representative shall submit documents to all required review agencies in time to secure permits and notices of compliance before Advertisement for Bid.

a. Submittals shall include applicable intergovernmental agreements and easements.

2. The State Buildings Program publishes an annual list of approved Code Review Agents.

a. Approved Code Review Agents perform plan reviews and provide inspection services.

b. Project Representatives are responsible for contracting with an approved Code Review Agent under the OSA Building Code Compliance Policy.

c. Inspections required by the Compliance Notice shall be performed and signed by qualified inspectors certified by the International Code Council, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, and/or the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

C. Modifications:

1. Requests for Code Modifications shall be accepted by the Project Representative before a formal request is submitted to the CSU Building Department and OSA.

D. Construction Inspections:

1. The Project Representative is responsible for contracting for inspection services on a project-by-project basis.

2. Capital Construction:

a. Projects with a total development value of $2,000,000 or more shall employ a State Buildings Program-approved Code Review Agent.

b. Inspections for projects with a total development value below $2,000,000 are coordinated by the CSU Building Department.

3. Remodel and Construction Services:

a. Inspections for projects with a total development value below $2,000,000 are coordinated by the CSU Building Department.

b. Projects with a total development value of $2,000,000 or more shall employ a State Buildings Program-approved Code Review Agent.

4. Third-party Professional Engineers registered in Colorado may perform special inspections with prior approval from the State Buildings Program through the Project Representative and CSU Building Department.

E. Building Inspection Record:

1. All interim and final inspections shall be recorded on each Building Inspection Record issued for the project.

a. Phased projects shall include a separate Building Inspection Record for each phase in alignment with the project Agreement and Notices to Proceed.

2. The approved Code Review Agency Inspector shall request that the Project Team make the Building Inspection Records available for notation and signature during each site inspection.

a. The Inspector shall sign each record and include the applicable ICC certification or Colorado Professional Engineer registration number.

F. Occupant Load Signage:

1. The Project Team shall provide occupant-load calculations for all new construction, additions, and remodels.

a. The approved Code Review Agent shall review this information during plan review.

b. Occupant-load signage shall be included in the project signage package.

2. Upon request, the CSU Building Department shall determine occupant-load calculations for existing spaces.

a. The CSU Building Department shall assist with providing and maintaining required occupant-load signage.

b. Refer to CSU Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Standards – Additional Documents for the Maximum Occupancy Signage Standard.