19  Pre and Post Inspection Process for Structures, Bridges and Tunnels

19.1  The Service Provider shall, prior to carrying out a General Inspection, Principal Inspection or Special Inspection:

(a)  obtain and review the Structure File and Health and Safety File of the Structure, Bridge or Tunnel in order to establish any specific issues with the Structure, Bridge or Tunnel;

(b)  carry out a desk top survey and reconnaissance of the Structure, Bridge or Tunnel; and

(c)  prepare a method statement which includes (as a minimum) all the information set out in sections 6.5.5.1 to 6.5.5.12 (inclusive) of the Highways Structures Code and add such method statement to the Structure, Bridge or Tunnel's Health and Safety File.

19.2  The Service Provider shall procure that when undertaking a General Inspection, Principal Inspection or a Special Inspection of a Structure, Bridge or Tunnel the inspector complies with the Bridge Inspection Guide (8) and all relevant provisions of the Highways Structures Code including, in particular, Appendix 1 thereof (except where different to the requirements set out in this Schedule 7).

19.3  The Service Provider shall procure that:

(a)  data from General Inspections, Principal Inspections and Service Inspections and any reports and assessments arising from such General Inspections, Principal Inspections and Service Inspections shall be entered on the relevant Structure File and recorded and reported in accordance with the provisions of sections 6.5.9 and 6.5.10 of the Highways Structures Code (as amended and replaced from time to time);

(b)  the element condition rating procedure in the CSS Guidance Documents is used for all Structures, Bridges and Tunnels;

(c)  a CSS inspection pro forma (1 and 2) (or equivalent pro forma) is completed following a General Inspection, Principal Inspection or Special Inspection;

(d)  element condition data is captured in accordance with section 6.5.17 of the Highways Structures Code (as amended or replaced from time to time); and

(e)  inspection reports are produced following each General Inspection, Principal Inspection and Special Inspection in accordance with the provisions of sections 6.5.20 to 6.5.22 (inclusive) of the Highways Structures Code (as amended and replaced from time to time) and recorded on the relevant Structures File.

19.4  The Service Provider shall evaluate the results of a General Inspection, Principal Inspection and Special Inspection within two (2) months of the completion of such inspections to:

(a)  determine whether a Structure, Bridge or Tunnel is fit for purpose and safe for use;

(b)  determine whether an urgent amendment to the Annual Programme is required; and

(c)  identify and estimate the cost of Routine Maintenance and Programmed Maintenance in relation to the Structure, Bridge or Tunnel and when that work will be carried out.

19.5  If the need for testing of a Structure, Bridge or Tunnel is identified during the course of a General Inspection, Principal Inspection or Special Inspection, the Service Provider shall comply with section 6.6 of the Highways Structures Code (as amended or replaced from time to time).