Special Inspections 2

[bjb]

I am looking to see how others are handling the presentation of the statement of special inspections. Currently, on the structural drawings we show tables indicating what special inspections are required, and then issue a bound report called the statement of special inspections and insert it into the front end of the project manual. In the statement we include all of the tables showing the required special inspections, acceptable agencies for the testing, and forms for the special inspectors to fill out.

How is everyone else handling these requirements?

 

[CWIC]

bjb:
First, I commend your organization for providing information which provides specific functions of the special inspector (SI). Typically, 95% (or better) of the structural drawings I review denote "... special inspection to be performed in accordance with Section 17 of the UBC..." I personally think the tabular presentation of SI duties is the easiest to comprehend, for all trades.

Often SI instructions of a particular type of construction or components (e.g.: SMRF) are specified on the particular drawing with the special construction. This sort of takes the brain work out of it for the SI and therefore should be easy to implement. Obviously this is not the most practical method for redundant or similar construction.

Or, in many cases it is up to the SI to find this information within the project specifications. These situations typically result in specific inspections, tests or samples required to have been performed are overlooked.

I perform QA/Verification inspections for a living and find no matter how easy, clearly or how specific you state your requirements, many required SI activities are often NOT performed. By noting specific duties using a method such as yours, it really does help in reducing the confusion or a misunderstanding of what is required by the SI.

 

[JAE]

We provide an outline on our front sheet showing which special inspections are required and whether or not they can be periodic vs. continuous.

 

[bjb]

Thanks for the replies. A helpful document that we found out about at a seminar is the "National Practice Guidelines for Special Inspections", by the Council of American Structural Engineers". It is available at the following website:

http://www.acec.org.

It isn't legally binding, and some of it's recommendations while logical, would put a lot of extra burden on the structural engineer of record. It is a useful background, and has some good ideas for tables and forms.

 

[jcali]

My question is: Who hires the inspectors? My interpretation of IBC is that the inspectors must be hired directly by the owner or by the owner's engineer, but NOT by the contractor. bjb's post seems to describe the SI requirements as part of the bid documents, and as such would be provided by the contractor. Is this correct? I'd like to know how others handle this.

JCali

 

[TFL]

The special inspector must be hired by the owner. we do not typically put si info on the drawings except that we require the contractor to coordinate the program so that the inspections can be done in accordance with the work schedule. We also require the contractor to contact us to file the statement of special inspections that is required when applying for a building permit.

connecticut's special inspection for is in the link below under special inspection forms it could be modified for any state

http://www.ctengineers.org/members/members.htm

 

[Ron]

We have a compounded problem in Florida. We have state law that requires a "Special Inspector" for "threshold level buildings". This is different than the IBC Requirement.

This is an inspection that must be performed by a separately authorized and certified Special Inspection (who must be either a licensed Architect or Engineer), or his authorized delegate (also requires specific qualifications such as EI, Graduate Engineer, Licensed General Contractor, or Certified Building Inspector), performed under the direction of the certified Special Inspector. All must be paid by the owner. All inspection must be performed in accordance with a filed Special Inspection Plan that must be submitted to the Building Department by the SEOR.