Construction Inspection Manual, Ninth Edition

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD, V
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, VI
INTRODUCTION, VII

1. RECOMMENDED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, 1
1.1 Contract: Definition of Responsibilities, 2
1.2 Construction Inspector, 3
1.2.1 Qualifications and Requirements, 4
1.2.2 Employment, Compensation and Agreements, 7
1.2.3 Construction Inspector: Recommended Duties, Responsibilities, 10
1.3 Design Professional (Architect/Engineer), 13
1.3.1 Project Design Professional (A/E), 16
1.3.2 Project Designer, 16
1.3.3 Project Job Captain, 16
1.3.4 Project Specifier, 17
1.3.5 Field Administrator, 17
1.3.6 Observations and Inspections, 17
1.4 Contractor/Subcontractor, 18
1.5 Owner/Recommended Duties and Responsibilities, 20
1.6 Lawyers Description, 23
1.7 Manufacturer's Representative Inspections, 23
1.7.1 Required by Contract Documents, 24
1.7.2 Required for Warranties and Guarantees, 24
1.7.3 Coordination, 24
1.8 Others: Special Consultants, 25

2. STANDARDS AND CODES, 27
2.1 Contract/Contract Documents/Specifications, 28
2.2 Codes and Regulations, 29
2.3 Standards, 35

3. CHECKLIST FOR FIELD INSPECTION, 47
3.1 Checklist Introduction (Explanation of the Matrix, Primary and Secondary Inspection), 48
3.2 Field Inspection Checklist, 50

4. COORDINATION, 203
4.1 Communication, 204
4.2 Scheduling, 206
4.3 Correspondence and Coordination, 207
4.4 Forms (Overview of Appendix D), 208

5. PROJECT LOCATION, 211
5.1 Office Practice Concerns, 212
5.2 Field Office Concerns, 213
5.3 On-Site Concerns, 214
5.4 Regional Concerns, 216
5.5 Geographic Concerns, 217
5.6 Climate Concerns, 218

APPENDICES
Appendix A - Bibliography
Appendix B - Terms and Definitions
Appendix C - Construction Industry Organizations
Appendix D - Forms
Appendix E - Masterformat/Inspector's Basic Bookshelf
Appendix F - Inspector's Basic Tools
Appendix G - Inspector's Basic Project File
Appendix H - Miscellaneous Construction Aids
Appendix I - Mathematics
Appendix J - Hazardous Materials
Appendix K - Handy Construction Data
Appendix L - Residential Construction Inspection Checklist

Introduction

The purpose of this manual is to supply useful information about construction inspection.

Owners, architects, engineers, contractors and others in the construction industry have discussed the need for a construction inspection manual for years. The original intent of the previous Editions was to discuss, in a general way, the duties, qualifications and abilities of the construction inspector and the working relationships among the parties during construction.

The Founding Committee, delegated as representatives by the various organizations directly involved in construction, collected data concerning inspection from as many sources as possible. The data was then reviewed and edited and the most pertinent material was incorporated into a first draft. The draft was distributed to approximately one hundred other individuals and organizations for review and comment before publication.

Due to the complexity of the topic, it is understandable that some material, information, organizations or other data may have been overlooked or not included. This omission was not intentional in any respect.

The Coordinating Committee recognizes that the manual may not be comprehensive enough for all types of projects. It was originally written to apply to both public and private "building" construction projects of average complexity where a full-time construction inspector is engaged. Construction inspection for smaller projects might be the responsibility of a part-time construction inspector or even members of the design team. For highly complex projects, the construction inspection may require a staff of inspectors, including specialized inspectors and assistants.

It did not seem feasible to attempt to discuss all arrangements and methods of construction and inspection within the limited scope of the manual. Traditional methods of construction and inspection can be impacted by many factors. The role of the developer, who can be a contractor, architect or other party changes the concerns relating to construction inspection. New methods of construction management and design/build also impact .the role of construction inspection. Laws governing certain types of public projects may include specific duties for the construction inspector.

With the arrival of the 21st Century, the Coordinating Committee realized the need to make modifications to the recent Edition to reflect major changes in the construction industry.

Recognition of the need for involvement by more members of the construction team resulted in the addition of matrix tables which attempt to provide the Coordinating Committee's recommendation regarding the primary and secondary responsibilities for inspection. These recommendations should be considered a guide only, intended for the average building construction project. The matrixes will hopefully help readers find information which is of interest to specific members of the construction team.

Fm1her, it is hoped that as this and later Editions are developed, recognition will be given to a broader understanding of the full extent of the construction process. More and more people are beginning to recognize that the construction process is not limited to just the design and build process. Construction actually begins with conception of a potential building, including design. It then encompasses construction, commissioning, maintenance, remodeling, alterations and potential changes in occupancy type and only ends when the building is finally demolished. Construction inspection, likewise, should be recognized as a part of the complete construction process, from conception through demolition.

Terminology used in the manual may differ in some instances from what some organizations may have established. The reader is referred to Appendix B, "Terms and Definitions."

The reader is cautioned that this publication is not intended as a guide book to legal relationships or as a compendium of forms, legal or otherwise. It is published solely as a working manual, prepared not by lawyers but by a collaborative effort of the construction industry to provide general information regarding construction inspection. Those using the manual should not rely on it to eliminate or solve legal problems. They should consult their legal counsel on all matters involving contractual or other legal relationships.

The masculine gender was utilized in the original 1973 Edition of this manual. Where traces still escaped editing, please accept that the feminine gender is intended to be just as applicable in all cases, i.e., he/she, his/her, etc.

PROVIDES UNIVERSAL STANDARDS FOR DESIGN, SPECIFICATIONS, CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTION

For over 36 years, the Construction Inspection Manual has been the nationally accepted guide used by the construction industry for specification writing and inspection procedures. It features an extensive series of checklists for field inspection covering basic elements in a construction project and is formatted to correspond to the Construction Specification Institute's MASTERFORMAT.

This extensively revised and updated Eighth Edition brings the Manual completely up-to-date, with detailed testing procedures and inspection checklists covering everything from sitework and earthwork to finishes and electrical installations.

It also features expanded appendices with extensive graphics, charts and tables. An extremely valuable reference for the inspector, architect, engineer, contractor, specification writer, construction manager, owner and facilities manager.