Field Inspection Procedure

1. All construction or work for which a permit is issued shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official 
2. All work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the Building Official.  
3. Certain types of construction shall have continuous inspection, as specified in Section 1701.5. 
4. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by the permit to notify the Building Official that such work is ready for inspection. 
5. The Building Official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired. 
6. REQUIRED INSPECTIONS: CONTRACTOR TO POST INSPECTION CARD ON JOB SITE. 
   • Reinforcing steel or structural framework of any part of a building or structure shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining approval by the Building Official. 
   • Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistive assemblies shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved. 
   • Foundation inspection: To be made after excavation for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. All materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed, the concrete need not be on the job. Where the foundation is to be constructed of approved treated wood, additional inspections may be required by the Building Official. 
   • Concrete slab or under-floor inspection: To be made after all in-slab or under-floor building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the sub-floor. 
   • Rough-in heating/air test gas piping. 
   • Rough-in plumbing. 
   • Rough-in electric. 
   • Framing: After plumbing, mechanical, electrical and all blocking are completed. 
   • Insulation inspection: To be made after all required insulation is in place, baffles in place, vapor barrier in place, all penetrations insulated properly to attic area or other areas as may be required. 
   • Lath and/or gypsum board inspection: To be made after all lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, used as a structural element or a part of a fire-resistive assembly is in place, but before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished. 
   • Final plumbing. 
   • Final heating. 
   • Final electric. 
   • Final building: To be made after grading and landscaping the building is completed and ready for occupancy. 
   • Special inspections: For special inspections see Chapter 17. 
   • Other inspections: In addition to the required inspections specified above, the Building Official may make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws which are enforced by the code enforcement agency. 
   • Reinspection: A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection. Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or available on the work site or the approved plan is not available. See Other Inspections required and optional. 

Entry Of Inspections 

1. All inspections shall be documented on the inspection record card and the results recorded in the inspection office. 

Certificate Of Occupancy 

1. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure portion thereof shall be made until the Building Official has issued a certificate of occupancy. 

OTHER INSPECTIONS

Required

1. Reroofing: Final inspection. 
2. Installation of manufactured buildings: To be made after the installation of the support system and all utility service connections are in place, but before any covering material or skirting is in place. Evaluation of an approved anchoring system, when installed, is part of the installation. 
3. Pre-fabricated buildings: Connections of modules- connection to foundation. 
4. Elevators: Where applicable inspected by state elevator inspector before put into use. 
5. Underground fire sprinkler: 200 lbs., 2 hour, hydrostatic test – visual inspection included. 
6. Above ground fire sprinkler: 200 lbs., 2 hour, hydrostatic test – visual inspection included. 
7. Final fire sprinkler: flow test. 

Inspections Optional 

MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL UNDER “OTHER INSPECTIONS” 

1. Site inspection: To review building setbacks, top of foundation elevations in regards to final grade and lowest floor to water table. On-site sewer areas to be reviewed and roped off. 
2. Foundation: Before backfill, anchor bolt placement, damproofing and foundation insulation in place. Drain tile when required. 
3. Sheathing:  Before any building wrap, paper, or siding, to see proper nailing and installation of product used. 
4. Masonry/manufactured fireplaces and chimneys: All clearances, fire stops, combustion air, before enclosing. Gas piping where applicable. Final inspection when completed. 
5. Roof coverings, ice barrier, and insulation where applicable. 

FILE/DOCUMENTATION 

1. When permits are issued for a property, a file will be made up for that property by address (preferably) or property identification number or other means. In these files, copies of permits, plans, documents submitted for plan review, plan reviews, survey, correct ion orders, inspection results and other documentation or documents should be placed. 
2. An inspection record will also need to be made out for each property where a permit is issued. Site identification would be the same as mentioned above. The inspection card will have permit number and documentation of inspection made with a date of inspection and person making inspection. 
3. Both the file and inspection card is to be filed in such a manner that they are easily available for review. Files and inspection documentation may be kept in other ways, but need to be complete and in such a manner to be easily accessible at the jurisdiction. 

SPECIAL INSPECTIONS 

1. When special inspection is required by IBC, Chapter 17, the engineer of record shall prepare an inspection program that shall be submitted to the Building Official for approval prior to issuance of the building permit. The inspection program shall designate the portions of the work that require special inspection and the name or names of the individuals or firms who are to perform the special inspections, and indicate the duties of the special inspectors. 
2. The special inspector shall be employed by the owner, the engineer or architect of record, or an agent of the owner, but not the contractor or any other person responsible for the work.
3. When structural observation is required by Chapter 17, the inspection program shall name the individuals or firms who are to perform structural observation and describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur. 
4. The inspection program shall include samples of inspection reports and provide time limits for submission of reports. 
5. When no special inspections are required, that should be noted by the architect or engineer of record on the plans or other means for file documentation. 

GUIDELINES FOR SPECIAL INSPECTION AND TESTING 

PURPOSE: To provide a method for complying with requirements of IBC Section 17-Special inspections. 

BEFORE PERMIT ISSUANCE: The architect or engineer of record shall prepare and submit a Special Structural Testing and Inspection Program to the Building Official. The Program may be included in the contract documents or as a separate submittal document. The completed Program Summary Schedule shall include the following: 

1. A specific listing of the items requiring special inspection (observation and testing). 
2. The associated technical scope sections define the applicable standards to judge construction work and describe the duties of special inspectors. 
3. The type of special inspector required for each item. 
4. The frequency of reporting, i.e., weekly, monthly, per test/inspection, per floor, etc. 
5. The parties responsible for performing the special inspections. 
6. Acknowledgments by each designated party. 

REQUIREMENTS: “Special Inspection” includes inspection (work requiring observation and engineering judgement) and testing (work analyzing materials in accordance with approved standards). Special Inspection shall meet the minimum requirements of the Minnesota State Building Code, and the approved drawings and specifications. Special Inspectors shall be employed by the owner or engineer/architect of record, but not the contractor. Special Inspection shall not relieve the contractor of responsibility to complete the work in accordance with the approved drawings and specifications. 

GUIDELINE PROGRAM: To assist with standardization of Special Inspections and Testing, a special inspections and testing schedule is required to be completed. The document is intended to identify items critical to the structural integrity of buildings and clearly outline the responsibilities of parties involved in design, construction, testing, and inspection. An excerpt regarding responsibilities is included in the following paragraph.  Copies of the document can be obtained from MAC Permits and Inspections Department. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Special Inspectors: 

1. Sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencement of construction. 
2. If requested, attend one pre-construction meeting to review the scope of special structural testing and inspection. 
3. Test and/or inspect the work assigned for conformance with the building department approved design drawings, specifications and applicable material and workmanship provisions of the Code. Perform testing and inspection in a timely manner to avoid delay of work. 
4. Bring discrepancies to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction, then, if uncorrected after a reasonable period of time, to the attention of the Structural Engineer of Record, the Building Official, and to the Architect. 
5. Submit test and/or inspection reports to the Building Official, Contractor, the Structural Engineer of Record, and other designated persons in accordance with the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule. 
6. Submit a final signed report stating whether the work requiring special inspection was, to the best of the inspector’s knowledge, in conformance with the approved plans, specifications and the applicable workmanship provisions of the Code. 

Architect of Record (or other prime consultant): 

1. Complete and sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencement of construction. Provide a completed copy of the schedule to all signed parties including Building Official. 
2. If appropriate, arrange and attend a pre- construction meeting to review the scope of special structural testing and inspection. Include Contractor, Building Official, SER, Testing Agency and other parties concerned. 
3. Coordinate the flow of reports and related information to expedite resolution of construction issues. 

Structural Engineer of Record (SER): 

1. Identify items requiring special structural testing and inspection including special cases. 
2. Define “type” of special inspector required for “description” of work indicated on the special structural testing and inspection schedule. 
3. Complete and sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule prior to commencement of construction. 
4. If requested, attend a pre-construction meeting to review the scope of special structural testing and inspection. 
5. Review reports submitted by special inspector. 
6. If engaged as a special inspector, provide special structural testing and inspection services as previously described. 

Testing Agency: 

1. Sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencement of construction. 
2. If requested, attend a pre-construction meeting to review the scope of special structural testing and inspection. 
3. When engaged as a special inspector, provide special structural testing and inspection services as previously described 

Contractor: 

1. Sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencing construction. 
2. If requested, attend a pre-construction meeting to review the scope of special structural testing and inspection. 
3. Post or make available the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule within its office at the job site. Also, provide adequate notification to those parties designated on the schedule so they may properly prepare for and schedule their work. 
4. Provide the special inspectors access to the approved drawings and specifications at the job site. 
5. Review reports submitted by special inspectors. 
6. Retain at the job site all reports submitted by the special inspectors for review by the Building Official upon request. 
7. Correct, in a timely manner, deficiencies identified in inspection and/or testing reports. 
8. Provide the special inspector safe access to the work requiring inspection and/or testing. 
9. Provide labor and facilities to provide access to the work and to obtain, handle and deliver samples, to facilitate testing and inspection and for storage and curing of test samples. 
10. Verification of conformance of the work within specified construction tolerances is solely the Contractor’s responsibility. 

Fabricator: 

1. Sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencing construction. 
2. Submit a Certificate of Compliance to the Building Official, Special Inspector, and Structural Engineer of Record that the work was performed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

Building Official (Typical responsibilities noted for information only): 

1. Determine work which, in the Building Official’s opinion, involves unusual hazards or conditions in accordance with the IBC. 
2. Review special inspector qualifications. 
3. Accept and sign the completed Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule. 
4. Review all fabricators who perform work in their shop, which requires special inspection. 
5. Review reports and recommendations submitted by the special inspectors. 
6. Review the “final signed reports” submitted by the special inspector(s). These documents should be accepted and approved by the Permits and Inspections Department prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. 

Owner: 

1. Establish direct funding to provide for cost of special structural testing and inspection services. 
2. Provide special inspector with approved design drawings, specifications and approved shop drawings. 
3. Sign the Special Structural Testing and Inspection Summary Schedule in conjunction with other responsible parties prior to commencement of construction.