What does the special inspector do first?
The special inspector identifies the observed condition and promptly brings it to the attention of the contractor or responsible field representative.
Many discrepancies can be corrected while the special inspector is still onsite. Examples include:
- Incorrect reinforcing-steel spacing or clearance
- Missing reinforcement, anchors, bolts, or welds
- Improperly prepared epoxy-anchor holes
- Anchor embedment that does not match the approved detail
- Masonry reinforcement or grout-space problems
- Welding that does not conform to the approved documents
- Concrete that is outside the project’s specified acceptance limits
The special inspector should clearly identify the issue but should not direct the contractor’s means and methods or design the correction.
Can the contractor correct the work immediately?
Yes. When the required correction is clear from the approved plans or specifications, the contractor may correct the work and have it reinspected before proceeding.
For example, misplaced reinforcing steel may be repositioned to match the approved detail, or an inadequately cleaned adhesive-anchor hole may be cleaned again before adhesive installation. The special inspector can then verify and document the corrected condition.
Correcting the work while it remains exposed is usually the fastest and least expensive solution.
What happens if the discrepancy is not corrected?
The CBC requires discrepancies to be brought to the contractor’s immediate attention for correction. If they are not corrected, the special inspector must notify the building official and the registered design professional in responsible charge.
Depending on the project and jurisdiction, the unresolved condition may be documented in a daily report, discrepancy notice, nonconformance report, or other required form.
An unresolved discrepancy can delay:
- Concealment of the affected work
- Concrete or grout placement
- Continuation of related construction
- Acceptance by the building department
- The final special-inspection report
Who decides how nonconforming work will be repaired?
If the correction is not already shown in the approved documents, the contractor should obtain direction from the registered design professional responsible for the work.
The engineer or architect may issue an approved detail, written clarification, response to an RFI, or other corrective direction. Depending on the nature of the change and the jurisdiction, building-department approval may also be required before the repair is accepted.
The special inspector observes and documents whether the completed correction conforms to the approved corrective information. The special inspector does not redesign the work or independently approve a deviation from the approved plans.
Can verbal approval be used?
Verbal conversations may help resolve a field question, but significant changes should be supported by written documentation.
Written direction protects the owner, contractor, design professional, and special inspector by establishing exactly what correction was authorized. When building-department approval is required, verbal authorization from someone onsite does not replace that approval.
What if the work has already been covered?
Contact the building inspector before uncovering, testing, or altering the completed work. The building inspector determines what documentation or verification may be accepted.
Possible requirements may include:
- Exposing portions of the work
- Providing installation records or photographs
- Obtaining written evaluation from the design professional
- Performing additional testing
- Completing a post-installation verification
- Removing and reinstalling the affected work
Acceptance is at the discretion of the building official. A special inspector cannot guarantee that concealed work will be accepted after the required inspection was missed.
How is a corrected discrepancy closed?
The corrected work must be made accessible for reinspection. The special inspector then verifies the correction against the approved documents and records the result.
The documentation should connect the original discrepancy with the correction so the project record clearly shows:
- What did not conform
- How the issue was addressed
- What approved information governed the correction
- When the correction was reinspected
- Whether the corrected work was found to conform
Can a project receive final special-inspection sign-off with an open discrepancy?
Generally, no. The final special-inspection report must document that the required inspections were completed and that reported discrepancies were corrected or otherwise resolved through the appropriate approval process.
Missing inspections, unresolved discrepancies, incomplete reports, and undocumented design changes can delay final sign-off.
Need help resolving a special-inspection discrepancy?
ASI provides qualified special inspectors for reinforced concrete, structural masonry, structural steel and welding, epoxy dowels, post-installed anchors, and other required special-inspection types.
If work has been questioned, rejected, covered before inspection, or identified as nonconforming, call ASI. We will review the inspection type, approved documents, jurisdiction, and current condition of the work before confirming what inspection service ASI can provide.
Available seven days a week. Call for pricing.
ASI will review the scope, jurisdiction and requested time before confirming the assignment.