Standard Plans for Public Works Construction
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Introduction | Table of Contents

… By Way of Explanation

This edition of Standard Plans for Public Works Construction is the fruition of over fifteen years of intensive work by a multi-governmental agency subcommittee of the Public Works Standards, Inc., American Public Works Association, and the Southern California Districts, Associated General Contractors of California.

These plans, representing the professional thinking of the leading public works officials and private members of the construction industry, were prepared to answer a need for uniform design governing public works construction performed for the many cities, counties and public agencies. This need dates back to the very founding of these governmental jurisdictions.

Uniform plans, embracing the most modern design and construction techniques, will greatly benefit both the general public and the private contracting industry. Such plans will eliminate conflicts and confusion, lower construction costs and encourage more competitive bidding by private contractors.

The prime sponsors of this effort have been the City and County of Los Angeles, County of Ventura, City and County of San Diego, and County of Orange. In the case of Los Angeles County, this includes the Road Department, Flood Control District, County Engineer/Facilities Department and the Sanitation Districts. In addition to these major organizations, numerous municipal agencies, large and small, served a key role on the various task forces.

The Standard Plans are to be used in conjunction with the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction as a companion document. This latter document has been in existence since 1967 and is commonly referred to as the "Greenbook". The Standard Plans, being engineering plans, are subject to the provisions of Chapter 7, Division 3, Business and Professions Code, State of California when used in that state. As such, they must be approved by a registered professional engineer to indicate his or her responsibility for them. In addition, they do not have the legal effect of a contract document or construction plan until officially adopted by the particular user agency.

The plans are numbered with a three digit prefix and a single digit suffix. The first number denotes the section in which the plan is located. The suffix is used to denote changes. All plans when originally approved will bear the suffix "0". As they are amended, the suffix will be numbered to denote the change number.

The Standard Plans for Public Works Construction will be revised periodically and reprinted to reflect advanced thinking and the changing technology of the construction industry. Amendments and additions, together with an updated Table of Contents, will be published as an annual supplement in pamphlet form. Subsequent editions will be published as additional material is prepared. To this end, the Public Works Standards, Inc., will continue to study and recommend changes to both the Standard Plans and Standard Specifications. Interested parties who wish to suggest additions or amendments may communicate with
               Public Works Standards, Inc.
               c/o Associated General Contractors of California
               1255 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 100
               Monterey Park, CA 91754.

This document is copyrighted by BNi Publications, Inc. in behalf of the Public Works Standards, Inc., and reproduction is expressly prohibited except that User Public Agencies may reproduce individual elements of these Standard Plans for their own Agency use. No other reproduction is authorized except by express written permission of the publisher.

Introduction | Table of Contents