Masonry Special Inspection

[Darren Emery]

Would like some input on how other jurisdictions handle SI on masonry - we're having a tough time getting the owners and contractors on the same page with us. We see the masnory walls start to go up, I call the project manager and say - make sure we get copies of all masonry special insepctions - and the most common answer seems to be "what's a special inspector?"

What works?

How do you handle this part of commercial construction?

Also - the code exempts "empirically designed" masonry from special insepctions in all but essential buildings. How do we know when the masonry has been "empirically designed?"

 

[High Desert]

We have a Special Inspection Program that requires the applicant to identify the agency that will perform the special inspections prior to issuing the permit. We also require the DP to identify the design criteria for the masonry construction and indicate the special inspections on the plans and calculations. I don't see much "empirically designed" masonry, but if there is, the DP needs to identify it as a design.

 

[pwood]

we also require the special inspector's credentials and identity be submitted before a permit is issued. the plans will have the requirement for special inspection noted on them at the time of submittal or on the back check by the rdp.

 

[TJacobs]

A pre-construction meeting sometimes helps...

 

[FredK]

Agree with highdesert and pwood about forms and infomation required on plans.

We require special inspection for any masonry project as we don't have the time to be on site when some grout pours are needed (early AM and sometimes during the day). We require the name of the special inspector and that has to be signed by an engineer. Sometimes it's the same person(engineer/inspector).

Mostly there are only a few special inspection outfits in the Phoenix area. However most of the engineering firms have special inspectors on their payroll and will be the special inspector on site. Never had any problems with any of the special inspectors during the last 10 years down here. And most GC welcome the third set of eyes.