Special Inspections Who, What, When and Where

To prepare for this presentation, I sent a survey out to attendees and clients. I wanted to show the audience the opinion of this group about construction quality monitoring and Special Inspections. The following slides are a summary of the survey.

What best describes your occupation? 137 Responses

The performance of construction quality testing is as important as the design in civil construction. Agree: 87% Not Sure: 3% Disagree: 10%

There is sufficient involvement/input of the designers in the construction project. Agree: 39% Not Sure: 20% Disagree: 46%

Based upon my personal experience, construction quality testing is being performed adequately by trained professionals. Agree: 42% Not Sure: 25% Disagree: 32%

Construction quality testing services procured by the contractor is an appropriate means to document construction quality. Agree: 24% Not Sure: 8% Disagree: 68%

Unless supplemented with owner-provided construction quality assurance, construction quality control testing procured by the contractor poses a conflict of interest. Agree: 79% Not Sure: 4% Disagree: 17%

Describe your understanding of Special Inspections as provided for in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code.

Special Inspections as provided for in Chapter 17 of the IBC should be enforced in Louisiana. Agree: 39% Not Sure: 58% Disagree: 3%

Special Inspections as provided for in Chapter 17 of the IBC is being enforced in Louisiana. Agree: 3% Not Sure: 71% Disagree: 26%

Early on there will probably be some higher costs due to the contractor and the testing groups getting up to speed on the requirements. this should level off once all groups are familiar with the requirements. Not familiar with IBC Chapter 17 Our firm has been in the construction industry for over 25 years. We have not been exposed to any specific IBC testing requirements on our projects to date. Although we conduct testing lab services either directly or indirectly any reference to IBC requirements have not been a subject of theses tests. In many cases unfortunately (cheap) construction inspection is done by the uneducated and untrained individuals. Some owners do not seem to understand the costly implications of cutting those corners. It is about time that someone address edthis issue.

There is only one project out of about 30 over the past five years where Chapter 17 has been successfully enforced. Cost of Special Inspections will easily pay for itself through reduced claims and repairs later. Owner furnished testing is the best. This allows for the owner to decide the quantity of testing and also the quality of the testing by picking the independent test lab with the input of the designer The responsibility implied by special inspection could be a issue with many design professionals.

Unless the structural engineer's fees are revised upward this provision of the code will not be implemented as intended. I have seen portions of Chapter 17 enforced on projects, but not all provisions exactly as described in the code. I think the use of special inspections should be tempered by the importance and function of the structure and the lack of suitability of the building site conditions. We use 3rd party QA/QC on most of our projects. Regulatory required to be 3rd party/independent. I think field inspections on building construction should be conducted by certified personnel similar to LADOTD's program structure. The same holds true for civil infrastructure construction. The design professionals do not have sufficient fees to cover this type service under FP&C's compensation packages for building design and construction administration.

Special inspections isn't enforced in most municipalities this area. Some are beginning to recognize it exists though. We call for special inspections in our construction documents, but 9 times out of 10 the owner does not procure the services. We have a very large state project under construction right now that the state's representative refused to pay for any special inspections, stating that the special inspections are "more than what is standard". Therefore, we have testing and construction monitoring that is substandard and we are required to constantly monitor construction. We are opening ourselves up to unlimited liability, and no additional fee for monitoring the construction because we want to make sure the project progresses as smoothly as possible (which is not very smooth). The building officials must review and provide guidance on implementation of chapter 17. In general, it is being ignored in LA although it is a code requirement. Construction quality testing and quality assurance is not just to make one feel good. It is of critical importance and can only be accomplished at the time the elements being tested are being installed. So the timing of the tests is also critical.

So what does the survey tell us? Here’s my take on it.  Construction quality testing is important  It should be done by trained professionals under contract to the owner (i.e. third party)  The current state of the practice leaves a lot to be desired.  We don’t really understand what is required by Special Inspections requirements of IBC Chapter 17.  Based upon what we know, it should be enforced in Louisiana, but it is not.

Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Help Me Help You!

Special Inspections who, what, when and where Employee Owned Offices Nationwide VagueSpecific Confusion

Opportunity! Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Congressional Investigation Committee on Science and Technology Report entitled Structural Failures in Public Facilities, House Report Question to be addressed: “Are there common problems associated with structural failures, the elimination of which would decrease the number of failures?” Over 20 contributing factors, but the two critical factors were: – The need for improved organization and better communication on construction sites. – The need for construction inspection by the Engineer of Record Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

International Building Code First edition published in 2000 Product of International Code Council (ICC) From three statutory members of the ICC – Building Offices and Code Administrators – International Conference of Building Officials – Southern Building Code Congress Int’l. Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Intent of IBC Establish Minimum Criteria to safeguard public health, safety and general welfare through – Structural Strength, – Means of Egress, – Stability, – Sanitation, – Light and Ventilation – Energy Conservation – Safety from fire and other hazards in the built environment Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Intent of IBC Establish Minimum Criteria to safeguard public health, safety and general welfare through – Structural Strength, – Means of Egress, – Stability, – Sanitation, – Light and Ventilation – Energy Conservation – Safety from fire and other hazards in the built environment Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Chapter 17 Structural Tests and Special Inspections Between Ch. 16 (Structural Design) and Ch. 18 (Soils and Foundations) Provides criteria for Testing Materials & Assemblies Expands upon Chapter 1 definition of Roles and Responsibilities for: – Owner – Designer – Contractor – Special Inspector Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Enforcement of IBC Building Official authorized to enforce – Interpret the Code, – Adopt policies and procedures to clarify application, – Polices & procedures cannot waive requirements provided for in the IBC. Design Professional in Responsible Charge – Building official can require owner to designate a Registered Design Professional (RDP) – RDP is in responsible charge Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Special Inspections Required in addition to inspections conducted by the Building Official Special Inspector – Representative of Approved Agency employed by Owner or RDP in Responsible Charge – Demonstrated competence to satisfaction of Building Official – RDP in Resp. Charge and Engineers of Record involved in design can act as the Approved Agency. – SI shall provide written documentation of experience and training Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Vague

Elements of Construction Fabricated Items (1704.2) Steel (1704.3) Concrete (1704.4) Masonry (1704.5) Wood (1704.6) Soils (1704.7) (also Ch. 18) Driven Deep Foundations (1704.8) Cast-in-place deep foundations (1704.9) Helical pile Foundations ( ) Vertical masonry Foundation Elements ( ) Sprayed fire-resistant materials ( ) Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings ( ) Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EFIS) ( ) Special Cases (as required by the Building Official ( ) Smoke Control ( ) Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Specific

Elements of Construction Fabricated Items (1704.2) Steel (1704.3) Concrete (1704.4) Masonry (1704.5) Wood (1704.6) Soils (1704.7) (also Ch. 18) Driven Deep Foundations (1704.8) Cast-in-place deep foundations (1704.9) Helical pile Foundations ( ) Vertical masonry Foundation Elements ( ) Sprayed fire-resistant materials ( ) Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings ( ) Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EFIS) ( ) Special Cases (as required by the Building Official ( ) Smoke Control ( ) Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Specific

Table Required Verification and Inspection of Deep Foundation Elements Verification and Inspection TaskContinuousPeriodic 1. Verify element materials, sizes and lengths comply with requirements X- 2. Determine capacities of test elements and conduct additional load tests as required. X- 3. Observe driving operations and maintain complete and accurate records for each element X- 4. Verify placement locations and plumbness, verify type and size of hammer, record number of blows per foot of penetration, determine required penetrations to achieve design capacity, record tip and butt elevations and record any damage to foundation element X- 5. For steel elements, perform additional inspections in accordance with Section For concrete and concrete-filled elements, perform additional inspections in accordance with Section For specialty elements perform additional inspections as determined by the registered design professional in responsible charge -- Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Table Required Verification and Inspection of Cast-In-Place Deep Foundation Elements Verification and Inspection TaskContinuousPeriodic 1. Observe drilling operations and maintain complete and accurate records for each element. X- 2. For concrete elements, perform additional inspections in accordance with Section X- 3. For specialty elements perform additional inspections as determined by the registered design professional in responsible charge -- Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Special Inspections Required in addition to inspections conducted by the Building Official Special Inspector – Representative of Approved Agency employed by Owner or RDP in Responsible Charge – Demonstrated competence to satisfaction of Building Official – RDP in Resp. Charge and Engineers of Record involved in design can act as the Approved Agency. – SI shall provide written documentation of experience and training Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Special Inspections Required in addition to inspections conducted by the Building Official Special Inspector – Representative of Approved Agency employed by Owner or RDP in Responsible Charge – Demonstrated competence to satisfaction of Building Official – RDP in Resp. Charge and Engineers of Record involved in design can act as the Approved Agency. – SI shall provide written documentation of experience and training Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Conflict of Interest

Special Inspections Required in addition to inspections conducted by the Building Official Special Inspector – Representative of Approved Agency employed by Owner or RDP in Responsible Charge – Demonstrated competence to satisfaction of Building Official – RDP in Resp. Charge and Engineers of Record involved in design can act as the Approved Agency. – SI shall provide written documentation of experience and training Special Inspections – who, what, when and where Certifiations ICC NICET ACI Professional Registration

Accreditations ICC NICET ACI Professional Registration

Structural Masonry Structural Steel Fireproofing Structural Steel Welding ACI Concrete Reinforced Concrete

Demonstrated Competence Special Inspections – who, what, when and where

Documentation Section 1705 requires Statement of Special Inspections Provided by Registered Design Professional Identify the components requiring special inspections Define type and extent of each special inspection Describe type and extent of each test Note, for each SI, whether the work was continuous or periodic

Demonstrated Competence

The nine most terrifying words in the English language “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

SUMMARY  Construction quality testing is important  It should be done by trained professionals under contract to the owner (i.e. third party)  The current state of the practice leaves a lot to be desired.  We don’t really understand what is required by Special Inspections requirements of IBC Chapter 17.  Based upon what we know, it should be enforced in Louisiana, but it is not.

ANY QUESTIONS?