Qualifications

A Woman Owned and Operated Business

Capitol Engineering Laboratories was established in 1971 to serve the construction industry of Northern California, meeting the demand for special inspection and testing services. Because of our commitment to a high quality work ethic and customer satisfaction, we have built a reputation as a respected, professional organization. We are constantly aware of changes to codes and specifications, resulting from seismic events, new products and new construction technology.

Capitol Engineering has provided these services on high profile projects such as Sunrise Mall, Lincoln Plaza, The Mercy Hospitals, The Memorial Auditorium, The Sacramento Bee and 8 major High School Campuses. Also, volunteer work on The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial at the California State Capitol is added to our company resume with pride.

Our well-equipped laboratory and facilities are utilized for performing all DSA required testing of concrete, metals, reinforcing steel <#10, asphalt, masonry and other materials sampled from the field. We provide quality assurance for many types of materials, products, buildings and infrastructure improvements. Because of the diversified nature of the testing performed, CEL is equipped to execute specialized testing procedures tailored to meet the clients needs. All services are supervised by a professional engineer.

Capitol Engineerings senior staff of special inspectors are credentialed by ICBO, AWS and/or ACI, and average 26 years of inspection/testing experience. Our facilities are reviewed regularly for compliance with the National Institute of Standards and other public agencies, including ASTM E329, the standard of practice for independent testing agencies. Capitol Engineering Laboratories holds the Division of the State Architect LEA #34, and we are Charter Members of the California Council of Testing Inspection Agencies. CEL is also a State of California Certified Small Business - #0002805.

Capitol Engineering Laboratories is active in maintaining an up-to-date quality testing facility. The following is a list of Laboratory Accreditation Programs in which we participate:
1. NIST - CCRL, since 1974
2. NIST - CCRL/AMRL Proficiency Sample Programs, since 11/96
3. Corp of Engineers Quality Assurance 10/1975-10/2002
4. State of California Division of the State Architect - LEA #34
5. Asphalt Institute Round-Robin Sample Program, since 10/96

Copies of the above program documents are available upon request.

Our laboratory takes pride in providing, in addition to the conventional ASTM and Caltrans testing and inspection normally provided during construction, specialty services and consultation. The following is a list of speciality services of which we have a high degree of experience and expertise:

In-situ masonry shear testing

1. Concrete core drilling and analysis
2. Reinforcing steel location services
3. Concrete drying shrinkage determination
4. Concrete floor vapor emission testing
5. Expansion and epoxy anchor testing
6. Laboratory and field full-scale load testing, including computer data acquisition.
7. NRMCA Batch Plant inspection services

In addition to our professional capabilities, we pride ourselves on our rapid response time. We encourage a 24-hour notification time frame, but realize that in the construction industry this is not always possible. Our inspectors will provide handwritten copies of all inspection reports at the jobsite and follow-up mail copies.

Capitol Engineering Laboratories is affiliated with many professional organizations which support our standard of care and high quality service.

CAL OSHA

American Welding Society

American Concrete Institute

Office of the State Architect

Construction Inspectors Association

City of Los Angeles Building Department

Crane Certification Association of America

American Council of Independent Laboratories

International Conference of Building Code Officials

California Division of Housing and Community Development

Association of Northern California Testing and Inspection Services

Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory, U.S. Dept. of Commerce

Public Sector References:

Chris Grimes, Roseville Unified School District / 916-782-4707

Michael Clarson / 530-389-2870

Dave Catania, CalTrans District 03 / 530-271-6172 / Cell: 530-218-1752

Eric France, State of California DGS /916-445-2193

Dave Noel, Wildan Associates / 916-784-6222

Richard Harris, San Juan Unified School District / 916-971-5704

Jim Sadjack, Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District / 530-308-6490