QC Review Elements - Bridge Division Underwater (UW) and Nonredundant Steel Tension Member (NSTM) Units

QC Bridge Inspection Documentation Review
For bridges with no significant findings, UW and NSTM inspections are typically scheduled for 60- and 24-month intervals, respectively. QC bridge inspection documentation review efforts for UW and NSTM inspections performed by Bridge Division personnel will be exercised for every inspection. Since the personnel involved with this type of inspection are limited, the first stage of the QC bridge inspection documentation review process will be handled by the team members of the UW and NSTM Units through the Bridge Inspection Management System report approval process.
Stage 1 of the QC bridge inspection documentation review process:
  • The UW or NSTM Unit Inspector prepares the documentation and performs a review of his or her own work. The Inspector sends the report for Preliminary Approval to a team leader member of the UW or NSTM Unit (this person cannot be the Engineer of Record).
  • The TL performs an independent review on the report documentation. If corrections are needed, the report is returned to the report creator. If the report is satisfactory, the TL will send the report to the Engineer of Record for Final Approval Review.
  • The Engineer of Record will perform an independent review of the report documentation. If corrections are needed, the report is returned to the report creator. If the report is satisfactory, the Engineer of Record will sign and seal the report, and perform the Final Approval.
Stage 2 of the QC bridge inspection documentation review will consist of a review on a combined 10% of the UW and NSTM inspections for each Inspector on a yearly basis.
QC Bridge Re-Inspection and Co-Inspection
Performing UW and NSTM bridge inspections requires specially trained personnel and equipment. Additionally, these types of inspections typically require timely and detailed communication with District personnel, bridge owners, and possibly external entities (Federal Aviation Administration, Coast Guard, law enforcement, etc.) due to factors such as bridge location, use, geometric constraints, traffic volumes, and traffic control needs. For this reason, QC bridge re-inspection for UW and NSTM inspections performed by Bridge Division personnel will not be performed unless specifically requested by the Program Manager. If requested, the Program Manager will advise the participants performing this QC bridge re-inspection review.
At a minimum, a co-inspection of at least one element per UW and NSTM consultant work authorization will be performed by Bridge Division.
QC Inspection Team Field Review
Performing UW and NSTM bridge inspection requires specialized trained personnel and equipment. Therefore, the Program Manager, or their designee, will perform an annual review of inspection qualifications for in-house TxDOT personnel assigned to perform these types of inspections. The qualification of TLs for these inspections is verified prior to each team’s departure to the field.