Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
(OP)
How do other structural engineers typically handle the initial statement of special inspections when a third party firm will be doing the inspections? As the Design EOR, I'm hesitant because the signatory agrees to do the verification and, for the final statement of Sp. Insp., attest that all special inspections have been done and testing is completed. These are things I'm not going to do, but they need this form to apply for permit and the haven't hired a special inspection firm yet.
In my area, the firm doing the special inspections will typically seal this page, but I've seen it both ways.
Do you sign and seal this anyway, even though you're not the one doing the inspection?
In my area, the firm doing the special inspections will typically seal this page, but I've seen it both ways.
Do you sign and seal this anyway, even though you're not the one doing the inspection?
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
The final report is sealed by Agent 1.
This allows them to apply for permit before selecting the agency (although they'll likely get a review comment with the inspection agency block blank on the schedule - at my old firm our lead construction administrator would write these and he'd just cycle through the local testing labs and let the owner change it later if they wanted) and the Special Inspector seals the final report attesting to completion.
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
Also: I got a call about a masonry block evaluation in obx and thought of you. You're 1 1/2 hours closer. I think the owner may have contacted structural engineers your neighborhood.
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
You may want to talk to the building official and see what their expectation is. You may be able to be "Agent 1" and just not do any field inspections - you review the submittals, testing lab does all field inspections and testing and sends you the reports for review and inclusion in the final project report. When it's all done, you finalize the paperwork. Certainly not the fun part of the job, but it may be what the AHJ is expecting.
Thanks. Haven't heard from them, but they may have gotten wind that I've been turning everyone away recently. I'm booked solid to January. Though if it's small I'll be down a couple times in the next month or so (one vacation and two projects) and could probably squeeze it in. Similarly, I got a call from somebody in Yorktown yesterday and thought of you, but without your contact information I referred him to engineeringeric's firm.
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
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- Robert Hale, PE, SE
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections
Regardless, the RDPiRC, not the EOR, is responsible for ensuring all required special inspections are 1.) Identified for permit (i.e. Statement of Required Special Inspections) 2.) Qualified inspectors are engaged by the owner 3.) Final Report of Required Special Inspections is submitted to the Building Official at completion. In all of this process, the EOR is not held in any way to participate. Do we often participate? Yes, of course. But, keep in mind, special inspections include many items that are not structural. If you are signing up to be the RDPiRC, then be aware of your responsibilities for the project. The RDPiRC is also not held to actually perform any inspections. Actual inspections must be performed by an Approved Agency, employing the Special Inspectors. The reason EOR is "allowed" to inspect is because being EOR qualifies you as an Approved Agency/Special Inspector. There are other ways to be approved and not be an engineer. In my area, AHJ's maintain a list of Approved Agencies and you have to (even EOR) submit your application and maintain yearly renewals before you are allowed to perform special inspections on your own designs. This is not contrary to IBC Ch17.
Bottom line is, EOR's have been signing up as RDPiRC, Approved Agency/Special Inspector while the code provides very clear description of these as distinctly separate entities. Are we meeting the intent of the code by performing all three roles? Or is the intent that the RDPiRC is an independent and impartial overseer of the process?
RE: Sealing Statement of Special Inspections