Special Inspection of welds

[JStructsteel]

Building official is requiring that onsite welded connections have special inspection. They want a statement of special inspections and resume for the inspector.

Based on my state (OH) the owner or owners rep shall employ special inspectors. I know I CAN be the special inspector, but do I have to be? I can design a weld, but not sure I am 100% qualified to judge someones welds. AISC 360 states inspection tasks should be done by the fabricator or erector.

Another issue is that i am 2.5 hours away. So Its not like I can drop everything when they are ready for inspection.

Thoughts?

 

[le99]

I think you need to engage a certified "welding inspector" to satisfy the request. Suggest contacting the company that provides NDT services.

 

[JStephen]

I would also assume that's a CWI.
Long ago, I took a week-long CWI course and passed my CWI exam. But that involves a lot of nit-picky (or not) detail, varies quite a bit from the engineering aspect, and is best left to somebody experienced in that inspection. That inspection may also involve reviewing weld procedures, welder certs, etc.
I never did figure out if the teensy teensy bubbles in the plastic weld specimen counted as porosity or not.

 

[JStructsteel]

All this aside, the code reads the owner or owner rep is responsible. I am not (at least dont think so) defined as the owners rep. If i am not qualified to do this, am I responsible to line up the welding inspector?

 

[WinelandV]

Pretty sure any special inspection has to be by a 3rd party (usually retained by the contractor OR the owner). HOWEVER, it's been more than a few years since I read the IBC on
this subject, so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[JStructsteel]

Thanks. I will provide their statement of special inspections and they can retain a inspector.

 

[driftLimiter]

You wouldn't be responsible unless you contract with the owner to perform the inspection. If you don't feel qualified to inspect the weld then don't offer the service. Different jurisdictions may or may consider you qualified to make the inspection depending on whether you have ICC special inspector qualifications.

You are not the owner's rep unless you contract for that service as well, you need to fulfill the responsibilities of the registered design professional and provide the statement of special inspection. In my area different jurisdictions have forms that need to be filled out as well by multiple parties.

Those forms vary but most of them require the following at least:

-The EOR acknowledges the statement of special inspections and required inspections on the form,
-the owner(or owners rep) acknowledges that they are responsible for employing a certified inspection,
-and the certified inspection acknowledges that he understands the scope of inspections and is qualified.

 

[gtaw]

The AWS structural welding code defines who the Owner is, who the Engineer is, and who the Verification Inspector is. The Engineer represents the Owner in matters relating to the design and whether the work conforms to the design drawings.

The Verification Inspector's responsibilities are also defined by the structural welding code. Whether the Engineer is qualified to perform the inspections is up to the Engineer unless the local jurisdiction has requirements to the contrary. For instance, in NYC, anyone responsible for the inspection of welds for structural steel is required to be a CWI.

In Connecticut, the Engineer of Record is required to complete the Statement of Special Inspection as part of the permitting process. The SI tells the Verification Inspector what must be inspected and to what extent. There may be inspections that are in addition to the inspections required by the structural welding code. The SI usually includes everything required by the Building Code and any additional inspections specified by the EOR.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Best regards - Al

 

[Aesur]

I suggest having the owner reach out to a local geotechnical/testing company, many times they provide special inspection services and have certified staff (took a few quick classes). As for who can and can't be an inspector, I'm not sure it's as clear cut as you make it sound saying "you CAN be the inspector". In my area you are required to have training and or certificates for certain inspections and the local jurisdiction maintains a list of who is certified for specific inspections. For instance I am on the local list for I believe everything except welding and high strength bolting.

I tend to push the SSI off onto a third party unless the owner is willing to pay my hourly rates, which are significantly higher as an engineer compared to local companies who specialize in SSI. I will occasionally provide a certificate for the owner to achieve permitting and then make sure they update the certificate with the actual inspectors firm when hired.

I have read before that insurance doesn't like the EOR performing their own SSI, I'm not too privy on why this is.