Quality Control Procedures for Underwater Inspections

Abstract

For more than 20 years, the FHWA has required that underwater inspection of bridges be performed at least every 5 years. Over that period, departments of transportation and other bridge owners have either developed in-house underwater inspection teams or hired outside consultants to perform this work. Ensuring that the inspections are conducted properly and accurately is critical. To this end, several policies and procedures can be implemented as quality control measures in an underwater inspection program. Selecting a properly trained inspection team, ensuring proper preparation before diving operations, conducting independent inspections, and looking at deterioration trends are several ways to ensure quality in underwater inspections.