How to use it
The box at the top searches 303 forms and publications listed by California's Division of the State Architect: 98 forms, 123 interpretations of regulations, 25 procedures, 15 policies, 38 bulletins and 4 guidelines. Results appear as you type, closest match first, and each one links to the document on DSA's own website.
- a publication number
- a form number
- a topic
- a building type
- an access topic
- a pasted comment
- A number can be typed loosely:
IR A-6,ir a6andIR-A-6all find the same document. - When a pasted comment names a form or publication, that document is listed first.
- Leave the box empty to browse the whole list by type.
What it does and does not do
It suggests where to look. It does not interpret a regulation, answer a plan check comment or tell you what DSA will accept. Open the document, read it, and decide with your project's reviewer.
Matching is by the words in each document's number and title, plus common trade terms for the same thing, so CCD finds the construction change document publications. It does not search inside the documents.
The six kinds of document
- Forms are numbered
DSA 1,DSA 103and so on: applications, checklists and reports. - Interpretations of Regulations are numbered
IR. Many are issued once for each code edition, and each edition is linked separately. - Procedures are numbered
PR, policiesPL, bulletinsBUand guidelinesGL.
Questions
Is this an official DSA website?
No. Calcitect is an independent site and is not affiliated with the Division of the State Architect or the State of California. It is an index: every link opens the document on the DSA website.
Will it tell me how to respond to a plan check comment?
No. It suggests which DSA forms and publications are likely to be relevant so you know where to start reading. The answer is in the documents and with your reviewer.
Why does one interpretation have several links?
DSA issues many interpretations separately for each code edition. Each link is labelled with the edition it was written for, as DSA lists it.
Why are rescinded and superseded documents listed?
Older comments, drawings and letters still cite them. They are marked with the status DSA gives, and where DSA names a replacement it is shown.
Is what I type or paste sent anywhere?
No. The search runs in your browser against a list that loads with the page. Nothing you type is sent to Calcitect or anyone else.
Reference finders
- OSHPD / HCAI CAN, PIN & forms finderType a topic or a number, or paste a plan review comment, and see which HCAI documents to open.
Calculators
- Feet & inches calculatorAdd, subtract, multiply and divide feet, inches and fractions. Free, nothing to install.
- Decimal feet to feet & inches converterType a length in any one box: decimal feet, feet and inches, inches or millimeters. The other three fill in.
- Roof pitch & rafter length calculatorEnter any two of pitch, rise, run and diagonal. The other two fill in.
- Stair calculatorEnter the floor-to-floor rise to get risers, treads, total run and stringer length.
- Circle & arc calculatorEnter a diameter for circumference and area. Add an angle for arc length and chord.
- Square footage & volume calculatorEnter length and width for area. Add a height for volume, cubic yards and wall area.
- Stud & on-center spacing calculatorEnter a length and a spacing to get the member count, the last bay and the equal spacing.
- Concrete calculatorPick slab, footing, wall or round column, type the size in feet and inches, and get cubic yards and bags.
- Slope converterType a slope as inches per foot, percent, degrees or a ratio. The other three fill in.
- Gravel, sand, soil & mulch calculatorPick the material, type the length, width and depth, and get cubic yards and approximate tons.
- Drawing scale calculatorEnter a scale and a length to convert it, or a drawn length and its real size to find the scale.