The purpose of this article is to inform you on who operates pull-testers with particular reference to who uses them the construction industry and to provide relevant links.
Pull testers are operated by quality control, engineering and manufacturing professionals across a variety of industries to meet relevant codes and standards, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 1920 standards.

Who operates pull-testers in the Construction Industry?
Any construction professional can operate an analog or digital pull-tester, with grips and attachments to suit and as necessary, on any building or infrastructure type, public or private, commercial or non-commercial including residential. They can be operated during construction on-site.
Operators may test a wide range of construction assemblies for compliance with construction codes and standards including 2012 International Building Code (IBC) or 2012 Residential Building Code (IRC), and the Florida Building Code.

Those involved in the on-site assembly of the following can use pull testers:

  • General construction elements such as foundation re-bars, lift structure anchors, columns, walls and boards protecting walls assemblies.
  • Roofing elements such as boards (whether nailed or bonded) protecting roof assemblies.
  • Safety elements such as fall protection anchors to meet OSHA 1926 construction industry standard which addresses falls from height, the principal construction hazard.
  • Insulation elements such as membranes and foam .

Certified Inspectors, City Inspectors and Inspector Agencies
International Code Council (ICC) Certified Inspectors, City Inspectors or Inspector Agencies can perform pull tests on behalf of a local authority, or as a third party.

Contractors
In some cases a contractor needs perform pull-tests to provide test certificates for an authority (such as a City Inspector) or to a manufacturer (to cover his liability).
Some contractors associations (such as roofing contractors, insulation contractors) have certification programs to protect members against competition from unprofessional (and untrained) contractors and these may include pull-test certification.
Contractors may want to perform ‘internal tests’ in an internal quality instruction, to be sure the workers are using the proper methods or tools, in order to be sure the entire job will pass the final inspection

Architects
Architects may require pull-tests to be carried out to demonstrate the job meets with the current relevant codes and standards.

Manufacturers
Manufacturers of construction elements such as fixtures, membranes, adhesives, coatings, anchors or solar panels may require pull-tests to help their certified or preferred contractors to improve their performance.

Com-Ten pull-testers offers construction industry professionals a large variety of solutions with all the relevant accessories to meet code and standard requirements.
For more information on the different pull testers Com-Ten offers for your application, please refer to the Com-Ten category sections: