Commonly Asked Questions: DSA Approved Shade Solutions
Last month, Park Planet experienced record-breaking sales in DSA Approved shade solutions. Our extensive set of plans have given architects and school facility administrators huge design flexibility, accommodating all types of site conditions with confidence and ease.
With the convenience of pre-approved plans, you can start your project immediately while Park Planet works with highly trained crews to complete your project without sacrificing quality. In what could be a confusing process, our team of experts offers clarity and honesty as to what you can expect when you start your DSA project.
Here are our top five commonly asked questions about DSA Approved shade solutions, answered:
Q: What is DSA?
A: DSA stands for the Division of the State Architect (California Only).
The Division of the State Architect provides design and construction oversight for K-12 schools, community colleges, and other various state-owned facilities to ensure compliance with all structural, accessibility, and fire and life safety codes. This means that any permanent items to be built or installed on the campus types listed above must first be approved by DSA.
Q: If I’m buying a DSA pre-approved product, why do I need to hire an architect to submit my project to DSA?
A: Only architects can submit projects to the DSA.
Each project must be submitted to the Division of the State Architect so that they can evaluate your site for both the product you want to install and other compliance codes (such as ADA, fire, and life safety).
Q: Aside from the price of the product, installation, and architect fees, are there any other costs I should be aware of?
A: Park Planet includes the product, freight, and installation cost in your scope of work. Additionally, DSA projects will require the following:
IOR (Inspector of Record): IORs are certified to oversee DSA projects in the field. Only the school district can hire the IOR for their own projects; the IOR cannot be contracted through anyone else. The cost of hiring an IOR will likely differ from one IOR to the next.
LOR (Laboratory of Record): School districts are required to hire a LOR. The lab will be in charge of taking concrete samples in the field, and testing hardware. Additionally, they will go into the factories where products are fabricated to inspect welds, checking the Material ID on the materials used for your project.
DSA Fees: DSA collects a fee for each submitted project. This fee is a percentage of the total value of the project. If you are curious about what the fee will be for your project, click here.
Q: What will my architect be responsible for?
A: Your architect will essentially manage your project from start to finish.
They will put together all of the plans and documents needed for DSA submittal. The PC plans that we provide to your architect will need to be submitted with the plan set to DSA, but your architect will also need a site plan showing where on your campus the new shade or shelter will be installed.
Once the project is completed, your architect will ensure that all parties have submitted the necessary forms so that your project can be closed out. It is very important that your project is “closed out” with DSA when it is completed. If not, you will not be able to move forward with any other DSA projects on that particular campus until the previous project has been closed out.
Q: Why do DSA pre-approved products cost so much more than “regular” shade solutions?
A: DSA shades and shelters are pre-engineered for California school projects.
Given the diverse challenges that each region of the state faces, sometimes these products end up being over-engineered for the region that they will be installed in. If you are doing a full submittal to DSA, meaning your project includes more items than just the shade/shelter, consider using a custom shade/shelter. Depending on location, the cost of the structure and installation could be lower.