International Building Code Section 1704 – International Building Code 2006 Discussions

International Building Code 1704.1

General. Where application is made for construction as
described in this section, the owner or the registered design
professional in responsible charge acting as the owner’s agent
shall employ one or more special inspectors to provide inspections
during construction on the types ofwork listed under Section
1704. The special inspector shall be a qualified person who
shall demonstrate competence, to the satisfaction of the building
official, for inspection of the particular type of construction
or operation requiring special inspection. These inspections
are in addition to the inspections specified in Section 109.
Exceptions:
1. Special inspections are not required for work of a
minor nature or as warranted by conditions in the
jurisdiction as approved by the building official.
2. Special inspections are not required for building components
unless the design involves the practice of professional
engineering or architecture as defined by
applicable state statutes and regulations governing
the professional registration and certification of engineers
or architects.
328 2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE
STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS
3. Unless otherwise required by the building official,
special inspections are not required for occupancies
in Group R-3 as applicable in Section 101.2 and occupancies
in Group U that are accessory to a residential
occupancy including, but not limited to, those listed
in Section 312.1.

Statement of special inspections. The permit
applicant shall submit a statement of special inspections
prepared by the registered design professional in responsible
charge in accordance with Section 106.1 as a condition
for permit issuance. This statement shall be in accordance
with Section 1705.
Exceptions:
1. A statement of special inspections is not required
for structures designed and constructed in accordance
with the conventional construction provisions
of Section 2308.
2. The statement of special inspections is permitted
to be prepared by a qualified person approved by
the building official for construction not designed
by a registered design professional.

Report requirement. Special inspectors shall
keep records of inspections. The special inspector shall furnish
inspection reports to the building official, and to the
registered design professional in responsible charge.
Reports shall indicate that work inspected was done in conformance
to approved construction documents. Discrepancies
shall be brought to the immediate attention of the
contractor for correction. If the discrepancies are not corrected,
the discrepancies shall be brought to the attention of
the building official and to the registered design professional
in responsible charge prior to the completion of that
phase of thework. Afinal report documenting required special
inspections and correction of any discrepancies noted in
the inspections shall be submitted at a point in time agreed
upon by the permit applicant and the building official prior
to the start of work.

International Building Code 1704.1.1

International Building Code 1704.1.2

International Building Code 1704.10

Sprayed fire-resistant materials. Special inspections
for sprayed fire-resistant materials applied to structural
elements and decks shall be in accordance with Sections
1704.10.1 through 1704.10.5. Special inspections shall be
based on the fire-resistance design as designated in the
approved construction documents.

Structural member surface conditions. The
surfaces shall be prepared in accordance with the approved
fire-resistance design and the approved manufacturer’s
written instructions. The prepared surface of structural
members to be sprayed shall be inspected before the application
of the sprayed fire-resistant material.

Application. The substrate shall have a minimum
ambient temperature before and after application as
specified in the approved manufacturer’s written instructions.
The area for application shall be ventilated during and
after application as required by the approved manufacturer’s
written instructions.

Thickness. The average thickness of the sprayed
fire-resistant materials applied to structural elements shall
not be less than the thickness required by the approved
fire-resistant design. Individually measured thickness,
which exceeds the thickness specified in a design by 1/4 inch
(6.4 mm) or more, shall be recorded as the thickness speci-
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 335
STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS

Floor, roof and wall assemblies. The thickness
of the sprayed fire-resistant material applied to
floor, roof and wall assemblies shall be determined in
accordance with ASTM E 605 by taking the average of
not less than four measurements for each 1,000 square
feet (93 m2) of the sprayed area on each floor or part
thereof.

Structural framing members. The thickness
of the sprayed fire-resistant material applied to
structural members shall be determined in accordance
with ASTM E 605. Thickness testing shall be performed
on not less than 25 percent of the structural members on
each floor.

Density. The density of the sprayed fire-resistant
material shall not be less than the density specified in the
approved fire-resistant design. Density of the sprayed
fire-resistant material shall be determined in accordance
with ASTM E 605.

Bond strength. The cohesive/adhesive bond
strength of the cured sprayed fire-resistant material applied
to structural elements shall not be less than 150 pounds per
square foot (psf) (7.18 kN/m2). The cohesive/adhesive bond
strength shall be determined in accordance with the field
test specified in ASTM E 736 by testing in-place samples of
the sprayed fire-resistant material selected in accordance
with Sections 1704.10.5.1 and 1704.10.5.2.

Floor, roof and wall assemblies. The test
samples for determining the cohesive/adhesive bond
strength of the sprayed fire-resistant materials shall be
selected from each floor, roof and wall assembly at the
rate of not less than one sample for every 10,000 square
feet (929 m2) or part thereof of the sprayed area in each
story.

Structural framing members. The test
samples for determining the cohesive/adhesive bond
strength of the sprayed fire-resistant materials shall be
selected from beams, girders, joists, trusses and columns
at the rate of not less than one sample for each type of
structural framing member for each 10,000 square feet
(929 m2) of floor area or part thereof in each story.

International Building Code 1704.10.1

International Building Code 1704.10.2

International Building Code 1704.10.3

International Building Code 1704.10.3.1

International Building Code 1704.10.3.2

International Building Code 1704.10.4

International Building Code 1704.10.5

International Building Code 1704.10.5.1

International Building Code 1704.10.5.2

International Building Code 1704.11

Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings.
Special inspections for mastic and intumescent fire-resistant
coatings applied to structural elements and decks shall be in
accordance with AWCI 12-B. Special inspections shall be
based on the fire-resistance design as designated in the
approved construction documents.

International Building Code 1704.12

Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS). Special
inspections shall be required for all EIFS applications.
Exceptions:
1. Special inspections shall not be required for EIFS
applications installed over a water-resistive barrier
with a means of draining moisture to the exterior.
2. Special inspections shall not be required for EIFS
applications installed over masonry or concrete walls.

International Building Code 1704.13

Special cases. Special inspections shall be required
for proposedwork that is, in the opinion of the building official,
unusual in its nature, such as, but not limited to, the following
examples:
1. Construction materials and systems that are alternatives
to materials and systems prescribed by this code.
2. Unusual design applications of materials described in
this code.
3. Materials and systems required to be installed in accordance
with additional manufacturer’s instructions that
prescribe requirements not contained in this code or in
standards referenced by this code.

International Building Code 1704.14

Special inspection for smoke control. Smoke
control systems shall be tested by a special inspector.

Testing scope. The test scope shall be as follows:
1. During erection of ductwork and prior to concealment
for the purposes of leakage testing and recording of
device location.
2. Prior to occupancy and after sufficient completion for
the purposes of pressure difference testing, flow measurements
and detection and control verification.

Qualifications. Special inspection agencies
for smoke control shall have expertise in fire protection
engineering, mechanical engineering and certification as air
balancers.

International Building Code 1704.14.1

International Building Code 1704.14.2

Qualifications. Special inspection agencies
for smoke control shall have expertise in fire protection
engineering, mechanical engineering and certification as air
balancers.

International Building Code 1704.2

Inspection of fabricators. Where fabrication of structural
load-bearing members and assemblies is being performed
on the premises of a fabricator’s shop, special inspection of the
fabricated items shall be required by this section and as
required elsewhere in this code.

Fabrication and implementation procedures.
The special inspector shall verify that the fabricator maintains
detailed fabrication and quality control procedures that
provide a basis for inspection control of the workmanship
and the fabricator’s ability to conform to approved construction
documents and referenced standards. The special
inspector shall review the procedures for completeness and
adequacy relative to the code requirements for the fabricator’s
scope of work.
Exception: Special inspections as required by Section
1704.2 shall not be required where the fabricator is
approved in accordance with Section 1704.2.2.

Fabricator approval. Special inspections
required by this code are not required where the work is
done on the premises of a fabricator registered and approved
to perform such work without special inspection. Approval
shall be based upon reviewof the fabricator’s written procedural
and quality control manuals and periodic auditing of
fabrication practices by an approved special inspection
agency. At completion of fabrication, the approved fabricator
shall submit a certificate of compliance to the building
official stating that the work was performed in accordance
with the approved construction documents.

International Building Code 1704.2.1

International Building Code 1704.2.2

International Building Code 1704.3

Steel construction. The special inspections for steel
elements of buildings and structures shall be as required by
Section 1704.3 and Table 1704.3.
Exceptions:
1. Special inspection of the steel fabrication process
shall not be required where the fabricator does not
perform any welding, thermal cutting or heating operation
of any kind as part of the fabrication process. In
such cases, the fabricator shall be required to submit a
detailed procedure for material control that demonstrates
the fabricator’s ability to maintain suitable
records and procedures such that, at any time during
the fabrication process, the material specification,
grade and mill test reports for the main stress-carrying
elements are capable of being determined.
2. The special inspector need not be continuously present
during welding of the following items, provided
the materials, welding procedures and qualifications
of welders are verified prior to the start of the work;
periodic inspections are made of the work in progress;
and a visual inspection of all welds is made prior to
completion or prior to shipment of shop welding.
2.1. Single-pass fillet welds not exceeding 5/16 inch
(7.9 mm) in size.
2.2. Floor and roof deck welding.
2.3. Welded studs when used for structural diaphragm.
2.4. Welded sheet steel for cold-formed steel
framing members such as studs and joists.
2.5. Welding of stairs and railing systems.

Welding. Welding inspection shall be in compliance
withAWS D1.1. The basis for welding inspector qualification
shall be AWS D1.1.

Details. The special inspector shall perform an
inspection of the steel frame to verify compliance with the
details shown on the approved construction documents,
such as bracing, stiffening, member locations and proper
application of joint details at each connection.

High-strength bolts. Installation of high-strength
bolts shall be periodically inspected in accordance with
AISC specifications.

General. While the work is in progress, the
special inspector shall determine that the requirements
for bolts, nuts,washers and paint; bolted parts and installation
and tightening in such standards are met. For bolts
requiring pretensioning, the special inspector shall
observe the preinstallation testing and calibration procedures
when such procedures are required by the installation
method or by project plans or specifications;
determine that all plies of connected materials have been
drawn together and properly snugged and monitor the
installation of bolts to verify that the selected procedure
for installation is properly used to tighten bolts. For
joints required to be tightened only to the snug-tight condition,
the special inspector need only verify that the connected
materials have been drawn together and properly
snugged.

Periodic monitoring. Monitoring of bolt
installation for pretensioning is permitted to be performed
on a periodic basis when using the turn-of-nut
method with matchmarking techniques, the direct tension
indicator method or the alternate design fastener
(twist-off bolt) method. Joints designated as snug tight
need be inspected only on a periodic basis.

Continuous monitoring. Monitoring of bolt
installation for pretensioning using the calibrated
wrench method or the turn-of-nut method without
matchmarking shall be performed on a continuous basis.

International Building Code 1704.3.1

Welding. Welding inspection shall be in compliance
withAWS D1.1. The basis for welding inspector qualification
shall be AWS D1.1.

International Building Code 1704.3.2

International Building Code 1704.3.3

High-strength bolts. Installation of high-strength
bolts shall be periodically inspected in accordance with
AISC specifications.

Continuous monitoring. Monitoring of bolt
installation for pretensioning using the calibrated
wrench method or the turn-of-nut method without
matchmarking shall be performed on a continuous basis.

International Building Code 1704.3.3.1

International Building Code 1704.3.3.2

International Building Code 1704.3.3.3

Continuous monitoring. Monitoring of bolt
installation for pretensioning using the calibrated
wrench method or the turn-of-nut method without
matchmarking shall be performed on a continuous basis.

International Building Code 1704.4

Concrete construction. The special inspections and
verifications for concrete construction shall be as required by
this section and Table 1704.4.
Exception: Special inspections shall not be required for:
1. Isolated spread concrete footings of buildings three
stories or less in height that are fully supported on
earth or rock.
2006 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE 331
STRUCTURAL TESTS AND SPECIAL INSPECTIONS

Materials. In the absence of sufficient data or documentation
providing evidence of conformance to quality
standards for materials in Chapter 3 of ACI 318, the building
official shall require testing of materials in accordance
with the appropriate standards and criteria for the material
in Chapter 3 of ACI 318. Weldability of reinforcement,
except that which conforms to ASTM A 706, shall be determined
in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.5.2
of ACI 318.

International Building Code 1704.4.1

International Building Code 1704.5

Masonry construction. Masonry construction shall be
inspected and evaluated in accordance with the requirements of
Sections 1704.5.1 through 1704.5.3, depending on the classification
of the building or structure or nature of the occupancy, as
defined by this code.
Exception: Special inspections shall not be required for:
1. Empirically designed masonry, glass unit masonry or
masonry veneer designed by Section 2109, 2110 or
Chapter 14, respectively, or by Chapter 5, 7 or 6 of
ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402, respectively, when they
are part of structures classified as Occupancy Category
I, II or III in accordance with Section 1604.5.
2. Masonry foundation walls constructed in accordance
with Table 1805.5(1), 1805.5(2), 1805.5(3) or
1805.5(4).
3. Masonry fireplaces, masonry heaters or masonry
chimneys installed or constructed in accordance with
Section 2111, 2112 or 2113, respectively.

Empirically designed masonry, glass unit
masonry and masonry veneer in Occupancy Category
IV. The minimum special inspection program for empirically
designed masonry, glass unit masonry or masonry
veneer designed by Section 2109, 2110 or Chapter 14,
respectively, or by Chapter 5, 7 or 6 of ACI 530/ASCE
5/TMS 402, respectively, in structures classified as Occupancy
Category IV, in accordance with Section 1604.5, shall
comply with Table 1704.5.1.

Engineered masonry in Occupancy Category I,
II or III. The minimum special inspection program for
masonry designed by Section 2107 or 2108 or by chapters
other than Chapters 5, 6 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402
in structures classified as Occupancy Category I, II or III, in
accordance with Section 1604.5, shall comply with Table
1704.5.1.

Engineered masonry in Occupancy Category
IV. The minimum special inspection program for masonry
designed by Section 2107 or 2108 or by chapters other than
Chapters 5, 6 or 7 of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 in structures
classified as Occupancy Category IV, in accordance
with Section 1604.5, shall comply with Table 1704.5.3.

International Building Code 1704.5.1

International Building Code 1704.5.2

International Building Code 1704.5.3

International Building Code 1704.6

Wood construction. Special inspections of the fabrication
process of prefabricated wood structural elements and
assemblies shall be in accordance with Section 1704.2. Special
inspections of site-built assemblies shall be in accordance with
this section.

High-load diaphragms. High-load diaphragms
designed in accordance with Table 2306.3.2 shall be
installed with special inspections as indicated in Section
1704.1. The special inspector shall inspect the wood structural
panel sheathing to ascertain whether it is of the grade
and thickness shown on the approved building plans. Additionally,
the special inspector must verify the nominal size
of framing members at adjoining panel edges, the nail or staple
diameter and length, the number of fastener lines and
that the spacing between fasteners in each line and at edge
margins agrees with the approved building plans.

International Building Code 1704.6.1

International Building Code 1704.7

Soils. Special inspections for existing site soil conditions,
fill placement and load-bearing requirements shall be as
required by this section and Table 1704.7. The approved soils
report, required by Section 1802.2, and the documents prepared
by the registered design professional in responsible
charge shall be used to determine compliance. During fill
placement, the special inspector shall determine that proper
materials and procedures are used in accordance with the provisions
of the approved soils report, as specified in Section
1803.5.
Exception: Special inspection is not required during placement
of controlled fill having a total depth of 12 inches (305
mm) or less.

International Building Code 1704.8

Pile foundations. Special inspections shall be performed
during installation and testing of pile foundations as
required by Table 1704.8. The approved soils report, required
by Section 1802.2, and the documents prepared by the registered
design professional in responsible charge shall be used to
determine compliance.

International Building Code 1704.9

Pier foundations. Special inspections shall be performed
during installation and testing of pier foundations as
required by Table 1704.9. The approved soils report, required
by Section 1802.2, and the documents prepared by the registered
design professional in responsible charge shall be used to
determine compliance.