California Associates Laboratories (CAL Labs) was formed in Fresno, California in January of 1999. The engineers and inspectors, who are partners, and direct the operation of the company and staff each have over a decade of experience in their area of expertise. These key personnel provide engineering services including Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, geotechnical investigations, subsurface investigations, foundation design reports, material laboratory testing and inspection services, and DSA inspection services.

CAL Labs participates in the AASHTO-AMRL laboratory quality programs for aggregates and soils, and the CCRL concrete laboratory quality control program. We are routinely inspected by CCRL for concrete and concrete aggregates. Our laboratory equipment calibration schedule is in accordance with the ASTM guidelines.

CAL Labs is approved by DSA to perform work on all types of projects under their jurisdiction through the LEA program. Our LEA number is 153. Various staff inspectors are certified by ICC, ACI, ACIA, and AWS to perform various inspection tasks. CAL Labs geotechnical work is performed under the supervision of a California State Licensed Geotechnical Engineer.

CAL Labs has one office, which is located near Palm and Herndon in Fresno. The current staff level totals twelve inspectors and technicians, one Professional Civil Engineer and one Licensed Architect.


Experience

CAL Labs has performed testing and inspection and special inspection on new school complexes, new commercial construction, and school and public building reconstruction projects. Inspections include engineered fill and grading, reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry, structural steel, wood framing, roof systems, underground installation, mechanical systems, fire alarms, and electrical services.


Staff

CAL Labs employs engineers, inspectors, and technicians who have experience and demonstrated proficiency across multiple disciplines. Technicians are typically certified and trained for soils, concrete, and masonry inspection. Inspectors are typically trained and certified for welding inspection, framing, nailing, masonry, and concrete inspection.

By utilizing a multi-disciplined approach, CAL Labs minimizes the number of personnel required to be on particular job site, allows a greater degree of familiarization of our personnel with a particular project, and develops a greater degree of accountability by project inspectors.

This multi-discipline approach allows CAL Labs to operate with efficiency and responsiveness typically required of a much larger staff. By minimizing our staffing we have reduced our overhead and are able to provide high quality service at a competitive fee.

CAL Labs is well qualified and experienced in providing the type of inspection and testing for your projects. Our technicians and inspectors are certified for various tasks by:

ACI: American Concrete Institute

ACIA: American Construction
Inspectors Association

AWS: American Welding Society

DSA: Division of State Architect

ICC: International Code Council

Cal Labs inspectors and technicians are second to none in experience, certifications, and qualifications. In addition, most of our inspectors and technicians have a background in construction developed before entering the inspection field.


Skills

In addition to the skills and knowledge typically required in the Materials Testing and Inspection Field, current Cal Labs personnel has been responsible for the design, implementation, and reporting of special testing for several projects at CAL Labs and while at prior firms.

Quality of Services

CAL Labs performs work under an internally established Quality Control System which includes written procedures for field and laboratory tests and inspections. These procedures designate which personnel are responsible for overall quality control of various phases of our work and establish that each employee is the primary source of quality control. The written manual establishes procedures to be followed if proper quality is not maintained or if clients have a complaint.

Additionally, the owners of CAL Labs work every day at CAL Labs, performing lab and field tests, preparing reports, talking with clients, and making sure work is done properly and on time. The owners are readily available and eager to speak with project owners and contractors to help get projects completed in accordance with the approved project documents, on time, and within budget.