News
How to Simplify and Expedite the Evaluation Report Process
Bohdan N. Horeczko, P.E.
Manager of Professional Services
ICC
Evaluation Service, Inc. (ICC-ES), receives numerous inquiries every day regarding
new products and how they are to be evaluated for code compliance. This article
offers suggestions to potential evaluation report holders (applicants) on
how to reduce the time for issuance of evaluation reports. In preparing for
the ICC-ES review process, the applicant should become familiar with the code
requirements for their product. Additionally, the applicant should determine
whether the code requirements are sufficiently detailed so that their product
can be evaluated based solely on code provisions. If this is not the case,
the applicant needs to investigate whether ICC-ES has issued an acceptance
criteria or an evaluation guideline that can serve as a basis for the evaluation.
If not, criteria or guidelines must be developed to establish the documentation
necessary to determine that the product is code-complying. If the applicant
has any questions as to whether the product can be evaluated by code provisions
alone, or under existing criteria or guidelines, ICC-ES staff should be contacted
for assistance. The staff can help the applicant in several ways.
We can render an opinion as to whether code requirements alone are sufficient
for an evaluation report review or whether new acceptance criteria or an evaluation
guideline is required, or whether an appropriate existing criteria can be
utilized. ICC-ES staff will also assist applicants by explaining the evaluation
report review process in both its administrative and its technical aspects.
What staff cannot do is provide consulting services to the applicant. We cannot
be a consultant and at the same time provide an independent, impartial review.
Speaking of consultants (either in-house technical representatives or outside
consultants), this is a good time to make an observation based on personal
experience. Clear, concise documentation presented in an orderly, easy-to-follow
fashion will enable the ICC-ES reviewing engineer to conclude his evaluation
more quickly, so that the evaluation report can be issued within a shorter
period of time. In compiling and presenting of the above-noted material, the
applicant should have someone on his staff with the necessary technical expertise,
or should seriously consider engaging the services of a consultant. To streamline
and expedite the process, the applicant should be represented by an individual
who is familiar with the building code requirements and with ICC-ES acceptance
criteria, and who understands the ICC-ES review procedures. Also, if the applicant's
product has structural uses it would be helpful if the technical representative
or consultant had an engineering background.
Some benefits of having a qualified individual (in-house technical representative
or a consultant) represent the applicant are:
- They can make a determination at the beginning of the process as to what
documentation is required for evaluation.
- If a new criteria is required, they can assist in the development of
the criteria.
- They can coordinate a preliminary meeting involving ICC-ES staff, the
applicant, the testing laboratory, the inspection agency and any other parties
deemed necessary. The meeting can establish the responsibilities of each
party in the evaluation process. As a result, a plan of action can be agreed
to by all.
- They can ensure that ICC-ES requirements are met and that all the necessary
pre-agreed testing is done in an accredited laboratory.
- They can assist the product manufacturer in the preparation of a quality
control manual that meets the requirements of the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria
for Quality Control Manuals (AC10).
- They can ensure that the data submitted to ICC-ES will be presented in
a manner that is orderly, logical and easy-to-follow.
- They can assist the ICC-ES staff engineer in his review of submitted
data through verbal and written communication or by personally meeting with
the engineer to resolve outstanding issues and thus expedite the issuance
of the evaluation report.
All the above points, taken cumulatively, can expedite the ICC-ES review
process considerably and result in the evaluation report being issued more
quickly.
More information on preparing data submittals for ICC-ES review can be found
here.
Extensive information on ICC-ES is available on our website.
For additional information or assistance in submitting data for an evaluation
report, please contact Bohdan Horeczko.
