Special Inspections

[conarb]

When the regional codes transitioned to the IBC the chapter numbering changed so chapter 17 in the 1967 UBC did not address special inspections. The required special inspections were listed in Section 305. As I recall there were about 4 or 5 special inspections at that time.

Can you look them up? As I recall they were piers, epoxy, welding, and something else. But I also remember getting special inspections on CMU pours as far back as the early 60s, but I was always successful in getting the city inspectors to sign them off for me, even recently I've been successful getting nice inspectors to sign off on epoxy and piers.

 

[Mark K]

The special inspections were for Concrete, masonry, structural welding, cast in place gypsum concrete, and special cases. In all these cases continuous inspections were required.

While epoxies were not mentioned in 67 I have been baffled by the subsequent requirements for special inspections of epoxies. Until relatively recently there were no code provisions dealing with the use of epoxies. Thus it is not clear how you can have code requirements for the inspection of specific products when there were no provisions in the code for the use of such products.
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[mtlogcabin]

The 1979 UBC required 11 different special inspections. No SI for epoxy bolts or fire caulking probably because it did not exist in 1979. New construction materials and methods require new inspection procedures and some are so product specific it just make sense for a third party inspection to be more knowledgeable of what is required by the manufacturer for their specific product then the government inspector.

 

[e hilton]

My experience is that codes are driven by public demand.

Everyone has to do it and the market has to adjust.

Codes are driven, in largd part, by special interest lobbiests. Look at the simple lawn mower gas can. Used to worm just fine, thank you very much. And now because of somd a$$ holes in calif we have cans that cost 5 times as much and are impossible to use. God forbid you have arthritic fingers and try to use one.

Just because everyone has to do it, doesnt make it right.

Inspectors seemed to be able to inspect a wider range of things back in the day. I am still in awd (just a bit) with the things Ice finds. Seems like a lot of inspection departments (i didnt say inspectors) are looking to avoid responsibility and are pushing that off on the consumer. Hows this: maybe teachers should require parents to hire special graders to score the tests their kids take in school. "Sorry Mrs Jones, we just present the material to little Johnnie, you have to get a specialist to prove he knows the material before i can write his grade in my book."

 

[mark handler]

For the record I have a 1967 UBC (Section 305) that has provisions for special inspections.

1967 UBC ALSO IN THE 1961 and 1964 exactly the same
305. Special Inspections
Sec. 305. (a) General. In addition to the inspections to be made as specified in Section 304, the owner or his agent shall employ a special inspector who shall be present at all times during construction on the following types of work:
l. CONCRETE: On concrete work when the design is based on an "fc" in excess of 2000 pounds.
2. MASONRY: Masonry work shall have special inspection when required in Chapter 24.
3. WELDING: On all structural welding.
4. REINFORCED GYPSUM CONCRETE: When castin-place reinforced gypsum concrete is being mixed or deposited.
5. SPECIAL CASES: On special construction or work involving unusual hazards or requiring constant impection.
EXCEPTION: The Building Official may waive the requirement for the employment of a special inspector if he finds that the construction or work is such that no unusual hazard exists.


For the record, a lot of items that now require special or deputy inspections we dot commonly used in the 1960's. Epoxy, fire putty and composite materials as an examples.

Some houses Built in the '60's '70's and '80's Failed during the Northridge earthquake. We did not have shear inspections.....

 

[my250r11]

Codes are driven, in largd part, by special interest lobbiests. Look at the simple lawn mower gas can. Used to worm just fine, thank you very much. And now because of somd a$$ holes in calif we have cans that cost 5 times as much and are impossible to use. God forbid you have arthritic fingers and try to use one.

I'm with you man!!