Special Inspection Requirements

[CBSE]

For the projects I have done for my company and the company I worked for prior to doing my own, I would list special inspections in the structural notes and that was the end of it. I never got asked about frequency of periodic inspections and only sometimes received the reports.

Is it my responsibility to tell the contractor how to do the required special inspections? I just assumed that they hired it out whoever they hired provided the required criteria about frequency of inspections, etc.

A little clarification would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[manstrom]

I don't think that this is very clear in the code. Some jurisdictions interpret it differently.

I have had many jurisdictions ask the frequency (it's in the code) and description of the inspection (it's in the code). The idea is that the engineer can ask for more than than is required.

I typically submit this as a separate item, I have seen some engineers include it in their drawings.


When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

-R. Buckminster Fuller

 

[PMR06]

I think IBC Chapter 17 spells out the intent of the inspections, frequency, description, etc, but not necessarily the details of how. The tables reference material standards that will have more detail for that.

Keep in mind the Contractor should not be inspecting ANYTHING, nor should they be HIRING the Special Inspectors. 1703.1.1 makes that pretty clear. You can't have the "fox guard the henhouse"!

 

[Ron]

As the structural engineer of record, you define the special inspection requires with the minimum being the code-required, prescriptive inspections and tests. You can go beyond that to any degree you want or justify.

Properly done, you should provide a special inspection plan that lays out all the required inspections. You do not tell them how to do the inspections/tests, just the subject, general location and frequency. The results of all special inspections should be sent to you. You should demand it. I would put in the plan that results go concurrently to you and to the building department. You can even let the architect in on it if you want!

 

[wannabeSE]

The IBC requires the Statement of Special Inspection to specify whether each inspection is continuous or periodic (e.g. 2012 IBC §1704.3.1). Some jurisdictions require a separate form. If the jurisdiction doesn't have special requirements, we include a table with special inspections on the drawings after the general notes. The table has a description of the inspection or test, whether it is periodic or continuous, and references the section in the building code or standard for the inspection.

 

[Guastavino]

Remember that the SI cannot work for the Contractor. They must work for the owner, whether directly or indirectly. The contractor should only be communicating with the SI about discrepancies, schedule, etc. They should not be directing them on what to do other than letting them know what they are doing and when.

 

[CBSE]

Thanks for the response. I tried to find what the frequency was for some "Periodic" special inspections, but I didn't find anything in the IBC that spelled that out. Maybe I just didn't look hard enough.

 

[medeek]

On a recent commercial job I basically did what wannabeSE described above, a table listing the required special inspections, with reference to the specific item and table in the IBC chapter 17. For TitenHD anchor bolts I went into more detail as requested by the building dept. with torque requirements etc...

A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE

http://www.medeek.com