AISC Seismic Provisions Chapter J specifies the minimum requirements for a quality assurance plan for the seismic force-resisting system. It may be appropriate to supplement the Chapter J provisions with additional requirements for a particular project based on the qualifications of the contractor(s) involved and their demonstrated ability to produce quality work. Contract documents are to define the quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) requirements for the project.
QC includes those tasks to be performed by the contractor to ensure that their materials and workmanship meet the project’s quality requirements. Routine welding QC items include personnel control, material control, preheat measurement, monitoring of welding procedures, and visual inspection.
QA includes those tasks to be performed by an agency or firm other than the contractor. QA includes monitoring of the performance of the contractor in implementing the contractor’s QC program, ensuring that designated QC functions are performed properly by the contractor on a routine basis. QA may also include specific inspection tasks that are included in the contractor’s QC plan, and may include nondestructive testing of completed joints.