Special Inspections
Special Inspections involve the evaluation of materials, workmanship, and the interpretation of contract documents.
Chapter 17 of the Ohio Building Code details the required Special Inspections for 20 categories of construction work. Each municipality has unique Special Inspection requirements.
Special Inspections are separate and in addition to construction testing services.
Ohio Building Code requires inspectors and testing agencies to be engaged by the Owner or the Owner’s agent and not by the Contractor to avoid a conflict of interest.
GCI’s Special Inspectors make professional judgment as to the quality and acceptability of the construction in-place based on their knowledge and experience.
GCI is a Special Inspector member of the International Firestop Council (IFC), an association of manufacturers, distributors, installers, inspectors and other professionals engaged in passive fire protection materials and systems in North America and abroad.
How the Special Inspection process works:
1. Registered Design Professional determines required Special Inspections.
As part of the building design process, the Registered Design Professional completes Part 1 of the local municipality’s Statement of Special Inspections (SSI) form. Part 1 includes a complete list of work requiring Special Inspections and the frequency of inspections as required by Chapter 17 of the Ohio Building Code and the local municipality.
2. Special Inspections are performed and the Final Report issued.
Part 2 of the SSI is then completed by the special inspection company. Part 2 lists the Special Inspectors who will perform each of the required Special Inspections. This completed Statement of Special Inspections is required as a condition of plan approval and building permit issuance.
Special Inspectors are employed by the Owner or by the Registered Design Professional acting as the Owner’s agent. At the completion of the required inspections, the Inspector submits an Agent’s Final Report of Special Inspections to the Special Inspection Coordinator.
3. Occupancy permit approved with all required Special Inspections completed.
An occupancy permit will not be issued without a completed and approved Final Report For Special Inspections. If any Special Inspections were skipped or not performed during construction, Building Officials will require that components be exposed for inspection, even if that means completed work must be demolished to allow access. Performing the required Special Inspections throughout a construction project can help avoid the denial of occupancy permits, project delays, and costly rework.
Special Inspection services provided by GCI
GCI’s Special Inspectors are career professionals with qualifications encompassing architecture, engineering and construction.
Our team provides the required Special Inspections for 19 categories of construction work, including:
- Special cases
- Steel construction
- Concrete construction
- Masonry construction
- Wood construction
- Soils
- Deep driven foundations
- Cast-in-place deep foundations
- Helical pier foundations
- Fabricated items
- Wind resistance
- Seismic resistance
- Testing for seismic resistance
- Sprayed fire-resistant materials
- Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings
- Exterior Insulation and Finish System (E.I.F.S.)
- Water-resistive barrier coating
- Fire-resistant penetrations and joints
- Fire-resistant rated assemblies
To learn more about Special Inspections services, contact:
Bob Hiles - bhiles@gci2000.com
Matt Justus - mjustus@gci2000.com
