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This document provides the building official with guidance on the administration and implementation of the special inspection requirements of Section 1704 of the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). The guidance is based on recommended practices and the consensus of building officials, design professionals, and inspection and testing agencies. Duties and responsibilities of the building official, special inspector, project owner, engineer or architect of record and contractor are defined in this guide.
From the Foreword
This document provides the building official with guidance on the administration and implementation of the special inspection requirements of Section 1704 of the 2006 International Building Code (IBC). The guidance is based on recommended practices and the consensus of building officials, design professionals, and inspection and testing agencies. Duties and responsibilities of the building official, special inspector, project owner, engineer or architect of record, and contractor are defined in this guide.
In the past, special inspection tasks were often delegated to the project owner, architect or engineer of record, and sometimes building contractors. In the 21st century, the responsibilities of the building official in providing oversight of special inspection activities is driven by several factors, including legal liability, insistence on competent performance and completion of work as specified and approved, and more involvement of local government. Accordingly, the use of certified individuals or accredited organizations is becoming increasingly prevalent and necessary.
Under the IBC, special inspection is not a discretionary activity, nor does it replace required structural observations as required by the design professional in responsible charge. The conditions under which special inspection must be utilized are clearly stated in IBC Section 1704; however, there is a provision for the building official to waive special inspection for minor work.
A special inspector is an individual with specialized skills who observes critical building or structural features identified by the design professional responsible for compliance to plans and specifications approved by the building official. Ensuring the competence of special inspectors is the responsibility of the building official. Although the IBC lacks specific qualification requirements, this fact does not lessen the importance of diligence in the critical process of approving special inspectors.
Recognizing the need to support its member building departments across the U.S., the International Code Council (ICC) developed certification and accreditation programs to identify competent individuals and organizations that perform special inspection. ICC Professional Development Services (PDS) certification programs require individuals seeking certification as special inspectors to have demonstrated a level of competence in a manner that will protect the safety and welfare of the public. Individuals may become certified through ICC by participating in a number of seminars and training classes, and passing written examinations. Organizations that employ special inspectors and provide inspection services to the building industry can gain accreditation through International Accreditation Service (IAS), a subsidiary of ICC.
The IAS accreditation program requires special inspection organizations to operate under a documented quality system, to use certified inspectors and to meet comprehensive accreditation requirements, including on-site assessment by subject matter experts who are either currently practicing or supervising special inspectors or who are building officials. Successful on-site assessment leads to accreditation for a specific scope of special inspection where the organization has been found competent.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Special Inspection - An Overview. Chapter 2: General Program Guidelines. Chapter 3: Recommended Special Inspector Qualifications. Chapter 4: Recommended Testing and Inspection Agencies Accreditation. Appendix A: Special Inspection Forms, Schedules and Agreements. Appendix B: Job Task Lists for Special Inspectors. Appendix C: Special Inspector Qualification Standards. |
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