Source: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/DSA/About
Timestamp: 2019-03-26 00:17:18
Document Index: 592972805

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 1', 'arts 3', 'art 11', 'art 1', 'art 1', 'art 1']

DSA also develops accessibility, structural safety, and historical building codes and standards utilized in various public and private buildings throughout the state of California. Various groups were established to work with DSA on these projects.
DSA is also charged with administering certification programs for project inspectors, materials testing laboratories, and certified access specialists.
DSA is headquartered in Sacramento with regional offices in Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Section 17280 - 17316 (Field Act; K–12)
Section 81130 - 81147 (Field Act; Community Colleges)
Section 4450 (Accessibility)
Section 4465 - 4470 (Disability Access and Education)
Section 14963 (Fire and Life Safety)
Section 16000 - 16023 (Essential Services Buildings)
Section 18950 - 18961 (State Historical Building Code)
Regulations - Title 24, Parts 1 - 12
Parts 3, 4, 5, 6 - Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing & Energy Codes
Part 11 - CALGreen Code
This description of the jurisdiction of DSA is intended for general guidance only. Please refer to the Government Code, Education Code and other applicable laws and standards for complete information. This information is not intended to contradict or interpret any law or regulation.
K–12 Public Schools and Community Colleges
The Field Act establishes stringent structural safety standards for public schools to withstand earthquakes and other hazards, not only to protect students and staff, but also because schools may serve as emergency shelters for their communities in the event of a disaster. Since the Field Act was enacted in 1933, DSA’s review and approval have ensured that there has never been a major structural failure at a public California K–12 school or community college.
State Essential Services Buildings
Essential services buildings provide services to the public after a major disaster. As such, they must have a high level of structural integrity. DSA is charged with enforcement of the Essential Services Building Seismic Safety Act and reviews and approves plans for these state-owned and state-leased facilities.
Other State-Funded Construction
DSA reviews construction plan compliance with accessibility requirements for all state-funded facilities in California, such as California courts, University of California, California State University, and state-owned buildings.
Access Compliance: DSA has jurisdiction over access compliance requirements for all buildings in California (including schools) that are publicly-funded in whole or in part by the use of state funds per Government Code Section 4450 through 4461. Plan review of access compliance related features only, is performed for the following entities when public funds are used in construction:
Certain Charter schools PL 17-01: Charter Schools Enforcement Jurisdiction (PDF)
General California Building Code Enforcement (For Public Schools and Essential Services Buildings Only): For public schools and State Essential Services Buildings (ESB), DSA has jurisdiction over all aspects of construction (including access compliance), to ensure that plans, specifications, and construction comply with the building code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations). Plan review and construction oversight is provided for all construction (except as noted in Section 2.1 and 2.3 below) on the following facilities:
DSA Jurisdiction - Building/Construction Type
All construction must be reviewed and approved by DSA, except as noted below, before a contract for construction can be awarded. Title 24, Part 1 defines several exceptions (not including access compliance) to DSA jurisdiction for Building Code enforcement for various types of construction as described below (for more information on construction types, see DSA's Scope of Projects for DSA Plan Submittal by Construction Type in the dropdown/below).
New Construction: Per Title 24, Part 1, Section 4-314 - Definitions, the following structures are classified as "school buildings" and are therefore subject to complete review and approval by DSA:
Additions: All additions are subject to DSA review and approval regardless of size or cost. Note that additions may only be made to DSA compliant structures unless alterations to bring the existing structure into compliance are also included in the scope of the project. See IR A-20.
Alterations: Alteration projects require DSA review and approval except for low cost projects as described in DSA IR A-10. Projects shall not be subdivided for the purpose of evading review requirements.
Title 24, Part 1, Section 4-314 also defines certain types of structures that are not considered to be “school buildings.” When the entire scope of a construction project includes only these structures they may be constructed without first obtaining structural or fire/life safety approval from DSA (note that access compliance review by DSA is still required). These structures may be submitted to DSA for full review at the option of the school district. Note that these structures must still be designed, constructed and inspected per code requirements even if they are not submitted to DSA for structural or fire and life safety review.
Antenna towers less than 35 feet tall.
Bus garage, warehouse, storage and similar buildings.
Dwellings for non-teacher, non-pupil employees.
Other 'non-school use' buildings or structures.
Impact of the Field Act
The Field Act imposes important requirements on California K–12 public schools and community colleges that are not present in other types of construction approval processes:
Licensed design professionals must prepare drawings and specifications for proposed construction work.
Drawings and specifications have to be verified by DSA for compliance with applicable building codes.
The building codes utilized in the design of school buildings contain structural provisions superior to many other types of facilities, with consideration for known seismic activity in California.
Changes to approved drawings and specifications for DSA-regulated portions of the project shall be submitted and approved by DSA prior to commencement of work.