View all text of Chapter 99 [§ 7301 - § 7313]
§ 7303. Authorities
(a) Entry and inspection
In investigating a building failure under this chapter, members of a Team, and any other person authorized by the Director to support a Team, on display of appropriate credentials provided by the Director and written notice of inspection authority, may—
(1) enter property where a building failure being investigated has occurred, or where building components, materials, and artifacts with respect to the building failure are located, and take action necessary, appropriate, and reasonable in light of the nature of the property to be inspected to carry out the duties of the Team under section 7301(b)(2)(A) and (B) of this title;
(2) during reasonable hours, inspect any record (including any design, construction, or maintenance record), process, or facility related to the investigation;
(3) inspect and test any building components, materials, and artifacts related to the building failure; and
(4) move such records, components, materials, and artifacts as provided by the procedures developed under section 7301(c)(1) of this title.
(b) Avoiding unnecessary interference and preserving evidence
An inspection, test, or other action taken by a Team under this section shall be conducted in a way that—
(1) does not interfere unnecessarily with services provided by the owner or operator of the building components, materials, or artifacts, property, records, process, or facility; and
(2) to the maximum extent feasible, preserves evidence related to the building failure, consistent with the ongoing needs of the investigation.
(c) Coordination
(1) With search and rescue efforts
(2) With other research
(3) Memoranda of understanding
(4) With State and local authorities
(5) Civil suits
(d) Investigation priorities
(1) In general
(2) National Transportation Safety Board
(3) Criminal acts
(4) Preservation of evidence
(Pub. L. 107–231, § 4, Oct. 1, 2002, 116 Stat. 1472; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title II, § 10246(h), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1494.)