[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 23, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 23CFR650.303] [Page 231-232] TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 650--BRIDGES, STRUCTURES, AND HYDRAULICS--Table of Contents Subpart C--National Bridge Inspection Standards Sec. 650.303 Inspection procedures. (a) Each highway department shall include a bridge inspection organization capable of performing inspections, preparing reports, and determining ratings in acordance with the provisions of the AASHTO Manual \1\ and the Standards contained herein. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The AASHTO Manual referred to in this part is the Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges 1983 together with subsequent interim changes or the most recent version of the AASHTO Manual published by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. A copy of the Manual may be examined during normal business hours at the office of each Division Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, at the office of each Regional Federal Highway Administrator, and at the Washington Headquarters of the Federal Highway Administration. The addresses of those document insepction facilities are set forth in appendix D to part 7 of the regulations of the Office of the Secretary (49 CFR part 7). In addition, a copy of the Manual may be secured upon payment in advance by writing to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, 444 N. Capitol Street, NW., Suite 225, Washington, DC 20001. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (b) Bridge inspectors shall meet the minimum qualifications stated in Sec. 650.307. (c) Each structure required to be inspected under the Standards shall be rated as to its safe load carrying capacity in accordance with section 4 of the AASHTO Manual. If it is determined under this rating procedure that the maximum legal load under State law exceeds the load permitted under the Operating Rating, the bridge must be posted in conformity with the AASHTO Manual or in accordance with State law. (d) Inspection records and bridge inventories shall be prepared and maintained in accordance with the Standards. (e) The individual in charge of the organizational unit that has been delegated the responsibilities for bridge inspection, reporting and inventory shall determine and designate on the individual inspection and inventory [[Page 232]] records and maintain a master list of the following: (1) Those bridges which contain fracture critical members, the location and description of such members on the bridge and the inspection frequency and procedures for inspection of such members. (Fracture critical members are tension members of a bridge whose failure will probably cause a portion of or the entire bridge to collapse.) (2) Those bridges with underwater members which cannot be visually evaluated during periods of low flow or examined by feel for condition, integrity and safe load capacity due to excessive water depth or turbidity. These members shall be described, the inspection frequency stated, not to exceed five years, and the inspection procedure specified. (3) Those bridges which contain unique or special features requiring additional attention during inspection to ensure the safety of such bridges and the inspection frequency and procedure for inspection of each such feature. (4) The date of last inspection of the features designated in paragraphs (e)(1) through (3) of this section and a description of the findings and follow-up actions, if necessary, resulting from the most recent inspection of fracture critical details, underwater members or special features of each so designated bridge. [36 FR 7851, Apr. 27, 1971. Redesignated at 39 FR 10430, Mar. 20, 1974, as amended at 44 FR 25435, May 1, 1979; 53 FR 32616, Aug. 26, 1988]