The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) recently announced it is discontinuing Los Angeles Research Reports (LARRs) and will only base such approvals on reports from certification bodies such as IAPMO Uniform Evaluation Services (UES) that are accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065. IAPMO UES maintains such an accreditation from ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board).

Previously, LADBS issued LARRs for such materials or products that are at a minimum equivalent to the materials prescribed in the code in terms of quality, fire resistance, strength, effectiveness, durability, and safety. For several years, LADBS accepted third-party accredited reports and LARRs, but LARRs are going to be phased out in the near future.  Manufacturers holding LARRs are welcome to transfer these reports to UES to assure continued acceptance by LADBS without interruption. The resulting UES evaluation report will continue to list the Los Angeles codes and can be expanded to include the California and International codes, therefore eliminating the need to maintain multiple code acceptance reports.

UES reports will be listed in a special LA Code Report Directory for easy access. Included in the directory are reports for structural and nonstructural applications. UES is one of a few certification bodies permitted by LADBS to issue reports for earthquake resistance.

“We look forward to the opportunity to assist LADBS by continuing our report program that includes options for California Supplements and Los Angeles Supplements within our UES evaluation reports as well as our UES listings that have been accepted in place of LARR,” said UES Senior Vice President Jerry Carrier. “We have a long-standing relationship with LADBS that we intend to ensure continues to benefit our clients as well as the L.A. Department of Building Services.”

In addition to evaluations to comply with the code and its consensus standards, UES uses a unique and trusted review process for innovative products. Section 104.11 of the Los Angeles Building Code allows UES to facilitate acceptance of new technologies in the marketplace through determination that the proposed design satisfactorily complies with the intent of code, and that the product is at least equivalent to that prescribed by the applicable code in the areas noted. In some instances, an Evaluation Criteria is developed to provide a clear methodology for preparing an evaluation report. For example, UES EC-047: Evaluation Criteria for Membrane Mitigation Barrier Systems Used for Methane Gas Mitigation, operates as a replacement for LADBS AC L137: Methane Barrier Test Criteria.

UES is committed to the effective delivery of services. From receipt of all required information to the posting of the report on the website is, on average, a six- to 12-week process at UES.