Best practices book - Flipbook - Page 110
AN OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTING
Special Inspections and Testing are the monitoring of materials, installation, fabrication, erection
or placement of components and connections that require special expertise that are critical to the
structural integrity of the building structure. Special Inspections and Testing are required to ensure
compliance with the approved construction documents and standards referenced in the applicable
Codes. Special Inspectors or Special Inspection and Testing Agencies shall be approved by the
Building Official to conduct certain types of inspections and testing. Although Section 1704.2
requires the Owner or the Registered Design Professional acting as the owner’s agent to provide
qualified Inspectors, the approval of Special Inspectors, Testers, and Special Inspection Agencies is
the responsibility of the Building Official.
A Special Inspector is a person who has been approved by the Building Department to perform
certain types of Special Inspections and Testing. A qualified Special Inspector generally has training
in a specific area that is more specialized than that of Building Department Inspectors. A Building
Inspector is required to have a general knowledge of a great number of Code requirements, whereas
Special Inspectors focus mainly on specific areas of structural inspection, material testing, and
fabrication. The inspections performed by the Special Inspector or Testers often require them to be
on the job site for extended periods of time, something the Building Inspector would have difficulty
doing with the multitude and variety of inspections they perform each day.
Special Inspection Program: The City of Rochester Hills Special Inspection Program consists of
the following five documents/forms:
1. Special Inspection Program Guide
2. Special Inspection & Testing Agreement
3. Special Inspections Log
4. Statement of Special Inspections
5. Minimum Qualifications for Special Inspectors. This covers Special Inspectors, Testers,
Laboratory Technicians, Special Inspection Agencies, Testing Labs, and Fabrication Shops.
Requirements for Special Inspections and Testing:
Section 1704 of the Michigan Building Code 2015 (MBC 2015) lists a number of conditions where
the employment of Special Inspectors is mandatory. Section 1704.2 of the Code states:
“The owner or the owner’s authorized agent, other than the contractor, shall employ one or more
approved agencies to provide inspections and tests during construction on the types of work listed
under Section 1705 and identify the approved agencies to the Building Official.”
“The approved agencies shall provide written documentation to the Building Official
demonstrating the competence and relevant experience or training of the Special
Inspectors who will perform the special inspections and tests during construction.
Experience or training shall be considered relevant where the documented experience
or training is related in complexity to the same type of special inspection or testing
activities for projects of similar complexity and material qualities. These qualifications
are in addition to qualifications specified in other sections of this code.
The registered design professional in responsible charge and engineers of record
involved in the design of the project are permitted to act as the approved agency and
their personnel are permitted to act as the special inspector for the work designed by
them, provided they qualify as special inspectors.”
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