GUIDELINES FOR ISSUING IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR SPECIAL INSPECTORS

INTRODUCTION

Background

In the interest of uniformity of enforcement of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Section 1701 (Special Ispection) requirements, as well as uniformity of qualifications of personnel to perform those functions, it became necessary to establish minimum standards for inspectors performing "special inspection" as defined in UBC.

The Califormia Council of Testing and Inspection Agencies (CCTIA), a non-profit professional association of testing and inspection companies, was formed for the specific purpose of engendering uniformity in code enforcement inspection activities. CCTIA recommends the following as minimum standards. These standards are based on consensus deliberations as to the qualifications necessary to satisfactorily perform the duties prescribed by UBC.

Definition

"SPECIAL INSPECTOR" [Reference UBC Section 1701.2] 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.

Identification

In order to ensure uniformity of inspector qualifications in a manner that would be verifiable by the Public Agency Building Official, the minimum qualification standards will become the basis for issuing identification cards for Special Inspectors.

OBJECTIVE

To institute a standard for minimum inspector qualifications which will serve as a guideline for issuing, in a controlled manner, official identification cards to Special Inspector(s) by the respective testing and inspection agency(ies).

A. General Requirements
  1. Identification card (click here to view sample card) must be signed by a Professional Engineer who is a full-time employee of an approved testing/inspection agency that complies with ASTM E329.
  2. Inspector must be an employee of the testing/inspection agency that issued the identification card.
  3. Inspector shall have demonstrated ability to read plans and specifications commensurate with inspection duties.
  4. Inspector shall be knowledgeable of the Uniform Building Code (UBC and applicable Standards (i.e. American Concrete Institute [ACI], American Welding Society [AWS], etc.
  5. The Special Inspector shall observe the work assigned for conformance with the approved design drawings and specifications, and other approved documents.
  6. The Special Inspector shall furnish inspection reports, when requested, to the bilding official, the engineer or architect of record, and other designated persons. All discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction; then, if uncorrected, to the proper design authority and to the building official.
  7. The Special Inspector shall report whether the work requiring special inspection was, to the best of his/her knowledge, in conformance withthe approved plans and specifications and the applicable workmanship provision of UBC.
  8. Special inspection shall not be relied upon by others as acceptance of work, nor shall it in any manner relieve any contractor, or any other party, from their obligations and responsibilities under the construction contract, or generally accepted industry custom.
B. Experience
  1. In order for experience to count toward qualification, it must be based on verifiable work directly related to the category or type of inspection involved.
  2. An engineering degree (BS) plus appropriate in-house training may be substituted for not more than one year of experience. An engineering technology degree (AA) plus appropriate in-house training may be substituted for no more than six months experience.
  3. Five or more years experience as a qualified Special Inspector in one or more categories of work may fulfill up to half of the experience requirements in any category, at the discretion of the Responsible Professional Engineer.
C. Certification
  1. Certification, when specified, is intended to mean successful completion of an examination appropriate to the category of work involved and in accordance with the requirements of the certifying agency.
D. Special Inspection in Training
  1. The intent of this provision is to provide practical opportunities for an inspector to gain the needed experience to qualify as a Special Inspector.
  2. An inspector who does not meet the qualifications for Special Inspector may be allowed to perform "Special Inspection", at the discretion of the Responsible Professional Engineer, provided one or more of the following conditions are met:
    1. Individual is working under direct and continuous supervision of a Special Inspector fully qualified for the type of work involved.
    2. Individual is working under indirect or periodic supervision of a Special Inspector and the scope of work is minor and/or routine and within the capabilities of the individual.
    3. Individual is specifically approved by the Building Official.
E. Minimum Qualifications for Work Categories of the "Special Inspector"
  1. Reinforced Concrete
    1. Minimum one year experience, and
    2. Certification by ACI (Grade 1), and
    3. Certification in this Category
  2. Ductile Concrete
    1. Minimum six months experience plus three years experience in Category 1, and
    2. Certifications in Category 1.
  3. Prestressed Concrete
    1. Minimum six months plus three years experience in Category 1, and
    2. Certification by ACI (Grade 1), and
    3. Certification in this Category.
  4. Shotcrete
    1. Minimum three months experience, and
    2. Qualification in Category 1.
  5. Welding
    1. Minimum three years experience, and
    2. Certification in this Category.
  6. NDT (Structural Steel)
    1. Experience per ASNT-TC-1A
  7. High Strength Bolting
    1. Minimum six months experience, or
    2. Qualified in Category 5
  8. Structural Masonry
    1. Minimum one year experience, or six months plus qualified in
    2. Category 1, and
    3. Certification in this Category.
  9. Reinforced Gypsum and Insulating Concrete
    1. Qualified in Category 1
  10. Spray-Applied Fire-resistive materials
    1. Minimum six months experience, or three months plus qualified in Category 1 or 5,
    2. Certification in this Category.
  11. Pilling, Drilled Piers and Caissons
    1. Concrete Work
      1. Qualified in Category 1
    2. Soil Work
      1. Qualified in Category 12
  12. Soils and Earthwork (Special Grading, Excavation and Filling)
    1. Minimum three years experience
    2. Certification optional
  13. Structural Wood and Glu Lam
    1. Minimum two years experience
    2. Certification optional
  14. Asphaltic Concrete
    1. Minimum one year experience
    2. Certification optional
  15. Roofing
    1. Minimum one year experience
    2. Certification optional
  16. Field Sampling and Field Testing in Any Category
    1. Minimum three months experience
    2. Certification by ACI (Grade 1) required for concrete
  17. Special Inspector in Training
    1. In training for experience, and
    2. No certifications required.
F. Reference Abbreviations & Recognized Certifying Agencies
  1. AA - Associate of Arts
  2. ACI - American Concrete Institute
  3. ACIA - American Construction Inspectors Association
  4. ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials
  5. ASNT - American Society for Nondestructive Testing
  6. AWS/ACWI - American Welding Society/Associate Certified Welding Inspector
  7. AWS/CWI - American Welding Society/Certified Welding Inspector
  8. BS - Bachelor of Science
  9. ICBO - International conference of Building Officials
  10. NICET - National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technologies
  11. NRCA - National Roofing Contractors Association
  12. DSA/ORS - Division of the State Architect/Office of Regulation Services
  13. OSHPD - Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development
  14. Uniform Building Code
Click here to view Sample ID Card
 
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