[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 23, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 23CFR650.313]

[Page 260]
 
                           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. 650.313  Inspection procedures.

    (a) Inspect each bridge in accordance with the inspection procedures 
in the AASHTO Manual (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 650.317).
    (b) Provide at least one team leader, who meets the minimum 
qualifications stated in Sec. 650.309, at the bridge at all times 
during each initial, routine, in-depth, fracture critical member and 
underwater inspection.
    (c) Rate each bridge as to its safe load-carrying capacity in 
accordance with the AASHTO Manual (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 
650.317). Post or restrict the bridge in accordance with the AASHTO 
Manual or in accordance with State law, when the maximum unrestricted 
legal loads or State routine permit loads exceed that allowed under the 
operating rating or equivalent rating factor.
    (d) Prepare bridge files as described in the AASHTO Manual 
(incorporated by reference, see Sec. 650.317). Maintain reports on the 
results of bridge inspections together with notations of any action 
taken to address the findings of such inspections. Maintain relevant 
maintenance and inspection data to allow assessment of current bridge 
condition. Record the findings and results of bridge inspections on 
standard State or Federal agency forms.
    (e) Identify bridges with FCMs, bridges requiring underwater 
inspection, and bridges that are scour critical.
    (1) Bridges with fracture critical members. In the inspection 
records, identify the location of FCMs and describe the FCM inspection 
frequency and procedures. Inspect FCMs according to these procedures.
    (2) Bridges requiring underwater inspections. Identify the location 
of underwater elements and include a description of the underwater 
elements, the inspection frequency and the procedures in the inspection 
records for each bridge requiring underwater inspection. Inspect those 
elements requiring underwater inspections according to these procedures.
    (3) Bridges that are scour critical. Prepare a plan of action to 
monitor known and potential deficiencies and to address critical 
findings. Monitor bridges that are scour critical in accordance with the 
plan.
    (f) Complex bridges. Identify specialized inspection procedures, and 
additional inspector training and experience required to inspect complex 
bridges. Inspect complex bridges according to those procedures.
    (g) Quality control and quality assurance. Assure systematic quality 
control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) procedures are used to maintain 
a high degree of accuracy and consistency in the inspection program. 
Include periodic field review of inspection teams, periodic bridge 
inspection refresher training for program managers and team leaders, and 
independent review of inspection reports and computations.
    (h) Follow-up on critical findings. Establish a statewide or Federal 
agency wide procedure to assure that critical findings are addressed in 
a timely manner. Periodically notify the FHWA of the actions taken to 
resolve or monitor critical findings.

[[Page 261]]