Spot Footing special inspections - IBC 2009 1704.4

[jeffhed]

IBC 2009 Section 1704.4 Exception 1 states:

"Isolated spread concrete footings of buildings three stories or less above grade plane that are fully supported on earth or rock"

Wouldn't this be always? I haven't designed any spot footings that are not fully supported on earth, at least that I am aware of. The commentary doesn't say anything about this. Are spot footings always exempt from special inspection if the buildings are less than three stories above grade? I was thinking that due to the higher loads on spot footings versus continuous footings, that they would be less exempt from special inspection than continuous footings. At the least I would expect to see more than the one exception that is basically all spot footings.

 

[Teguci]

I think they are trying to exclude pile caps and modified earth foundation systems (Geopiers). This requirement shows up in 2006 as unchanged (ie in 2003 as well). The exemptions for strip footings are stricter (next exemption in list).

So you are still doing "spot" foundations? I've moved on to "plaid."

 

[jeffhed]

Thanks, Teguci.
That makes sense. Thank you.