Section 1617 Structural Peer Review

The provisions of this section specify where structural peer review is required, how and by whom it is to be performed.

A structural peer review of the primary structure shall be performed a report provided for the following buildings:

1. Buildings included in Structural Occupancy Category IV as defined in this chapter and more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m²) of framed area.

2. Buildings with aspect ratios of seven or greater.

3. Buildings greater than 600 feet (183 m) in height or more than 1,000,000 square feet (92 903 m²) in gross floor area.

4. Buildings taller than seven stories where any element, except for walls greater than 10 feet (3.048 meters) in length, supports in aggregate more than 15 percent of the building area.

5. Buildings designed using nonlinear time history analysis or with special seismic energy dissipation systems.

6. Buildings designed for areas with 3,000 or more occupants in one area in close proximity, including fixed seating and grandstand areas.

7. Buildings where a structural peer review is requested by the commissioner.

It shall be verified that the structural design is in general conformance with the requirements of this code.

The structural peer review shall be performed by a qualified independent structural engineer who has been retained by or on behalf of the owner. A structural peer reviewer shall meet the requirements of the rules of the department.

The structural peer reviewer shall review the plans and specifications submitted with the permit application for general compliance with the structural and foundation design provisions of this code. The reviewing engineer shall perform the following tasks at a minimum:

1. Confirm that the design loads conform to this code.

2. Confirm that other structural design criteria and design assumptions conform to this code and are in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice.

3. Review geotechnical and other engineering investigations that are related to the foundation and structural design and confirm that the design properly incorporates the results and recommendations of the investigations.

4. Review the structural frame and the load supporting parts of floors, roofs, walls and foundations. Cladding, cladding framing, stairs, equipment supports, ceiling supports, non-loadbearing partitions, railings and guards, and other secondary structural items shall be excluded.

5. Confirm that the structure has a complete load path.

6. Perform independent calculations for a representative fraction of systems, members, and details to check their adequacy. The number of representative systems, members, and details verified shall be sufficient to form a basis for the reviewer's conclusions.

7. Verify that performance-specified structural components (such as certain precast concrete elements) have been appropriately specified and coordinated with the primary building structure.

8. Verify that the design engineer of record complied with the structural integrity provisions of the code.

9. Review the structural and architectural plans for the building. Confirm that the structural plans are in general conformance with the architectural plans regarding loads and other conditions that may affect the structural design.

10. Confirm that major mechanical items are accommodated in the structural plans.

11. Attest to the general completeness of the structural plans and specifications.

If the design criteria and design assumptions are not shown on the drawings or in the computations, the structural engineer of record shall provide a statement of these criteria and assumptions for the reviewer. In addition, the design engineer shall provide information and/or calculations, if requested by the peer reviewer.

The reviewing engineer shall submit a report to the department stating whether or not the structural design shown on the plans and specifications generally conforms to the structural and foundation requirements of this code.

The report shall demonstrate, at a minimum, compliance with Items 1 through 11 of Section 1617.5.1. In addition, the report shall also include the following:

1. The codes and standards used in the structural design of the project.

2. The structural design criteria, including loads and performance requirements.

3. The basis for design criteria that are not specified directly in applicable codes and standards. This should include reports by specialty consultants such as wind tunnel study reports and geotechnical reports. Generally, the report should confirm that existing conditions at the site have been investigated as appropriate and that the design of the proposed structure is in general conformance with these conditions.

If an application is submitted for a permit for the construction of foundations or any other part of a building before the construction documents for the whole building have been submitted, then the structural peer review and report shall be phased. The structural peer reviewer shall be provided with sufficient information on which to make a structural peer review of the phased submission.

The structural engineer of record shall retain sole responsibility for the structural design. The activities and reports of the structural peer reviewer shall not relieve the structural engineer of record of this responsibility.

The structural peer reviewer's report states his or her opinion regarding the design by the engineer of record. The standard of care to which the structural peer reviewer shall be held in the performance of the structural peer review and report is that the level of skill and care are consistent with structural peer.