STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S GUIDE TO SPECIAL INSPECTION

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The Structural Engineers Guide to Special Inspection

Prepared by:

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION OF OREGON

SPECIAL INSPECTION SUB-COMMITTEE

Structural Engineers Association of Oregon

P.O. Box 3285       Portland, OR 97208

Phone [phone]

E-mail: seao @ seao.org

www.seao.org

1st Edition - August 1998

The Structural Engineers Guide to Special Inspection

This document was prepared by members of the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO) Special Inspection Sub-Committee:

Wade Younie, P.E., 1997-98 SEAO Board Contact (WDY, Inc.)

Ed Quesenberry, P.E., 1997-98 Technical Committee Chair (Kpff)

Gerald Gotchall, P.E., 1997-98 Sub-Committee Chair (Gotchall & Assoc.)

Jay Ponce (City of Portland)

Eric Schmidt, P.E. (City of Gresham)

Mike Murray (Wood-Lam Structures, Inc)

Stacy Bartoletti, P.E. (Degenkolb Engineers)

Andy Ewing (Carlson Testing Inc)

Ray Miller, P.E. (Miller Consulting Engineers)

Robert Scherzinger, P.E. (Jeddeloh, Hays, Inc.)

Jerry Kammerman, P.E. (Washington County)

The committee acknowledges the SEAO board for their comments, suggestions and support during the time in which this document was being prepared.  The committee would also like to acknowledge the ICBO Model Program for Special Inspection, the City of Portland Special Inspection Program and the Washington County Special Inspection Program.  A significant portion of the material for this document was derived from their work.

The committee recommends the above mentioned documents along with the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, Guidelines for Special Inspection and Structural Observation, in accordance with the 1997 UBC, for additional reference material.

Table of Contents

• Section I - Introduction

• Section II - Program

• Section III - Commentary

• Section IV - Program Example

SECTION I - INTRODUCTION

The 1996 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) identifies the requirements for special inspection and places the responsibility on the Engineer or Architect of Record to prepare a special inspection and structural observation program.   It is the intent of the OSSC that all items requiring special inspection are clearly identified on the contract documents.  The Structural Engineers Guide to Special Inspection was developed by the Special Inspection Sub-Committee of the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon (SEAO) and is intended to assist the Engineer or Architect in meeting this requirement. (1)

The Structural Engineers Guide to Special Inspection was prepared by SEAO to provide a model program to guide the Engineer in preparing a clear, concise, and consistent special inspection program.  It is also expected that this model program will improve consistency in the field through clear communication of the project requirements, as well as aid in the plans examination process.  Additionally, it is important to note that special inspection is only a part of the construction quality control process required by OSSC.  The other portions of the process are equally important and include inspections by the Building Official, material sampling and testing, and structural observation. (2)

The Structural Engineers Guide to Special Inspection identifies project specific special inspection requirements but not qualifications of the special inspector.  Most local jurisdictions have established special inspection programs that identify and define these qualifications.  If the local jurisdiction does not have a special inspection program that defines the responsibilities and qualifications of the Special Inspector, the Engineer or Architect of Record should clearly identify these requirements in the contract documents.

The SEAO model program has been developed in two formats: a text format and a matrix (tabular) format.  Select the format that best suits the project requirements and engineer’s preference.  Not every project would require all of the inspection elements of the master program and should be modified as required for each specific project to avoid confusion.  The special inspection program would preferably be presented on the “S1” general note sheet of the structural drawings.  As an alternative, the program may be defined in the project specifications.

On occasion, structural design dictates whether or not an item requires special inspection and if so, whether or not the required inspection be performed on a continuous or periodic basis.  Masonry and anchor bolts are two such examples.  If the design uses lower values based on limited or no special inspections, the structural drawings need to include a statement to that affect.

1.  Although every attempt was made to provide the user with a factual paper, SEAO has no implied or express warranty with regards to this document or it’s accuracy.

2.  Note that it is the responsibility of the engineer or architect to verify acceptance of any variation from the specific requirements of the OSSC with the local building official.

SECTION II - PROGRAM

(EXPANDED TEXT FORMAT)

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER'S SPECIAL INSPECTION PROGRAM

General

1. Special inspection is required per Chapter 17 of the 1996 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC).
2. The special inspector shall be a qualified person who shall demonstrate competence, to the satisfaction of the Building Official, for inspection of the particular type of construction or operation requiring special inspection.
3. Prior to the beginning of construction, the Architect(or Engineer) shall call a pre-construction meeting with the Architect, Engineer, Building Official, contractor and special inspectors to review the special inspection requirements.
4. Duties of the special inspector include but are not limited to:

1. Acknowledge the special inspection and testing agreement provided by the local jurisdiction.
2. The special inspector shall observe the work for conformance with the approved construction documents.  All discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction, then, if uncorrected to the Engineer and to the Building Official.
3. The special inspector shall furnish inspection reports for each inspection to the Building Official, Architect, Engineer, contractor and (other designated parties), in a timely manner, as established at the pre construction meeting.
4. The special inspector shall submit a final report stating whether the work requiring special inspection was, to the best of the special inspector’s knowledge, is in conformance with the approved construction documents and the applicable workmanship provisions of the OSSC.

5.   Duties of the contractor include but are not limited to:

1. Notify the special inspector that the work is ready for inspection at least 24 hours before such inspection.
2. All work requiring special inspection shall remain accessible and exposed until it has been observed and indicated to be in conformance by the special inspector and approved by the Building Official.
3. Provide the special inspector with access to approved construction documents at jobsite.
4. Maintain at the jobsite copies of all reports submitted by the special inspector.

6.   Definitions

1. Continuous inspection means that the special inspector is on site at all times observing the work requiring special inspection.
2. Periodic inspection means that the special inspector is on site at time intervals necessary to confirm that the work requiring special inspection is in conformance with approved construction documents.

TYPES OF WORK THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL INSPECTION

Soils

1.   Grading, Excavation and Filling - Refer to Project Specifications

Piling, Drilled piers and caissons