6. Alternative materials, methods of design and construction and tests.
(1)The provision of these rules are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of design on construction not specifically prescribed by these rules or the Code, provided any such alternative has been approved by the Authority.(2)The Authority may approve any such alternative provided it is of the opinion that the proposed alternative is satisfactory and conforms to the provisions of relevant parts regarding material, design and construction and that material, method, or work offered is, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed in these rules or the Code as regards quality, strength, compatibility, effectiveness, fire and water resistance, durability an safety.(3)Whenever there is insufficient evidence before the Authority of compliance with the provisions of these rules or the Code or evidence that any material or method of design or construction does not conform to the requirements of these rules or the Code or in order to substantiate claims for alternative materials, design or methods of construction, the Authority may require tests sufficiently in advance as proof of compliance. These tests shall be made by an approved agency at the expense of the owner.(4)If there are no appropriate test methods specified in these rules or the Code, the Authority shall determine the test procedure.(5)Copies of the results of all such tests shall be retained by the Authority for a period of not less than two years after the acceptance of the alternative materials
