Special inspections are inspections of certain aspects of construction that require the expertise of an approved special inspector to ensure compliance with the code and the approved construction documents. Special inspections are performed by special inspectors of registered special inspection agencies. Special inspections are required by the governing codes and enforced by townships or by the New York City Building Code since 2008. Special inspections are done at critical points during most repair and upgrade projects or for components and connections critical to the structural integrity of the building. Special inspections include testing and observation of materials, fabrication, erection, or placement of components and connections. Special inspections may involve different types of construction work, such as masonry, concrete, structural steel and bolting, and others1.
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Special Inspections Accreditation Meaning
Special Inspection is required for specific types of construction work, as defined in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code (IBC). Typically, building components involve professional engineering, and architecture services may require a special inspection. ANAB offers an inspection body accreditation to ensure a management system is in compliance with ISO/IEC 17020, ASTM E329, and other local requirements throughout the construction project process in a given city or state. Examples of these requirements can be found within the New York City Department of Building (DOB), Philadelphia Building Code, Washington Building Code, etc. Understanding Special Inspections is vital to construction work because they do not only help ensure a project is built to the project specifications, but they also save lives.
The following table identifies some of the special inspections required by the codes.
| Steel construction | Verify integrity of framing welds, joints and high-strength bolts, locations of bracing and stiffening materials. |
| Concrete construction | Check reinforcing steel, connecting bolts, application technique, strength, required design mix and curing maintenance. |
| Masonry construction | Assess mortar joint construction, grout placement, reinforcement welding and prestressing techniques. |
| Wood construction | Check high-load diaphragms, framing members at panel edges, nail or staple diameters and length. |
| Pile and pier foundations | Evaluate materials, sizes, lengths, placement, plumbness, diameters and embeddedness. |
| Soils | Test soil classification, bearing capacity, fill quality and density. |
| Sprayed fire-resistant materials | Measure thickness; density; and bond strength to floors, walls and structural elements. |
| Mastics and intumescent coatings | Establish compliance with Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries standards. |
| Smoke control | Verify performance, operation and interaction with other systems and controls. |
| Special cases | Validate unusual designs, materials that must be installed to manufacturer’s specifications, alternate methods and materials. |