Special Inspections-Can the Design Professional Also Serve As the 'Approved Agency'?

[Lurker]

I would like to toss this one out for debate:

2006 IBC Chapter 17 'Structural Tests and Special Inspections'

1703.1 Approved agency

This section seems to give the BO great latitude in determining who is 'Approved'

In my jurisdiction, owners almost always choose a '3rd party' to perform special inspections. Today, the 'Design Professional' (an engineer) for an upcoming project inquired whether or not his firm could also perform the Special Inspections. Please Consider:

'1703.1.1 Independent. An approved agency shall be objective and competent. The agency shall also disclose possible conflicts of interest so that objectivity can be confirmed.'

One could argue that the DP coming forward to ask the question constitutes disclosure of possible conflicts. Is it then a gut call for the BO on whether or not objectivity can be maintained? If the code prohibited the DP from also serving as the 'Approved' Special Inspection Agency, would it not just say so?

Please relay your own thoughts and how your jurisdiction rules in this scenario. Thanks.

And thanks for all of the warm welcomes in the welcome forum.

 

[Mark K]

Section 1704.1 of the 2009 IBC specifically allows the design professional to perform special inspections on projects he designed provided that they are technically qualified.