IBC Statement of Special Inspections Quandary
Why do we associate the word quandary with the statement of special inspections (SSI)? A quandary
is a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do or say; this often exists when it comes to
preparing, reviewing, interpreting, or enforcing the SSI required by the International Building Code
(IBC). Every project in the country has to have an SSI, and the SSI should be project-specific according
to the IBC. Why does this dilemma surrounding the SSI even exist? Determining the type and extent
of special inspections and related tests creates most of the quandary.
It is hard to find a definition of the SSI. Chapter 17 of the IBC instructs the reader on who should
prepare the SSI and devotes considerable verbiage to the SSI content. However, you will not find
the actual definition of the SSI – not even in Chapter 2, which is dedicated to definitions. Let’s
define the SSI right here, right now: The SSI is simply a list of the materials and work (construction
procedures) that require special inspections and/or testing. However, this SSI definition is too easy
and incomplete.
The greatest contribution to the quandary hanging over the SSI is how to select the type and extent
of each special inspection required by the IBC code (IBC Section 1704.3.1).
As the project-specific SSI is developed, knowing the type and extent of each special inspection
required is difficult because of the code compliance criteria that comes into play when addressing
the extent of special inspections. Code compliance criteria are rarely found in Chapter 17 of the IBC.
The exception for those special incidents of code compliance criteria are listed in the soils special
inspections and sprayed fire-resistant materials (SFRM) sections of Chapter 17 – but this is rare
indeed. IBC Chapter 17, “Special Inspections and Tests,” will ultimately route the reader to other IBC
building discipline chapters as they develop the SSI, such as:
• Chapter 03 Occupancy Classification and Use
• Chapter 04 Special Detailed Requirements Based on Occupancy and Use
• Chapter 16 Structural Design
• Chapter 18 Soils and Foundations
• Chapter 19 Concrete
• Chapter 20 Aluminum
• Chapter 21 Masonry
• Chapter 22 Steel
• Chapter 23 Wood
• Chapter 35 Referenced Standards
In addition to Chapter 17 of the IBC, the 10 chapters are where readers will find the reference codes and
standards that comprise IBC. You can find most of the special inspections code compliance criteria here
– especially the ASTM standards. IBC Chapter 35 contains a comprehensive list of all codes and standards
referenced in the code and hundreds of code adopted reference codes and standards.
Most of the code compliance criteria related to special inspections are listed in the various reference codes
and standards and not between the covers of the IBC. As mentioned earlier, this code compliance criteria is
crucial to determining the type and extent of special inspections and related testing. It is a complex task to sift
through the numerous reference codes and standards to ascertain the voluminous pieces of pertinent code
compliance criteria needed to determine the extent of special inspections. There are numerous adopted codes
and standards and hundreds of IBC-adopted ASTM standards. Many folks don’t know this, but ASTM standards
provide tons of code compliance criteria because they are either adopted by the IBC itself in Chapter 35 or by
individual model codes listed in Chapter 35 of the IBC. The depth and breadth of this code compliance search
to determine the extent of special inspections can be overwhelming.
Let’s track through one example of this process as it relates to cold-formed steel light-frame construction. IBC
Section 1705.11.2 requires special inspection for cold-formed steel light-frame construction, regardless of whether it is accomplished by welding, screw fasteners, or bolting. Section 1705.11.2 does not tell the reader where to find code compliance criteria. IBC Chapter 18, Section 2202.1, and IBC Chapter 35 invoke an American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) document, specifically S240, “Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing.” S240 is a 200+ page IBC reference standard that contains most of the code-required compliance criteria that defines the type and extent of special inspections for cold-formed steel structural framing. S240 has a brand new Chapter D, “Quality Control and Quality Assurance,” with 14 tables that list many inspection tasks and execution tasks required of the metals special inspector. The 14 tables stipulate numerous items and tasks that must be verified in the field by the special inspector to ensure that the work has (or has not) been performed in accordance with the S240 standard and with the construction documents. Chapter D, however, still offers limited code compliance criteria necessary to determine the type and extent of special inspections. These criteria can be found by taking a journey through the 200+ pages of S240, which, as you can imagine, is a delightful trip.
Let’s take that delightful trip through S240 looking for code compliance criteria. General alignment compliance
criteria are in S240, Chapter B, and criteria for plumbness and bearing tolerances are in S240, Chapter C. The
criteria for stud vertical and horizontal tolerances are in ASTM C1007, but foundation stud and track tolerances
are in Chapter C. Compliance tolerances for the bearing of floor and ceiling studs, joists, and trusses are in
Chapter B. Pertinent information on submittals and certificates of compliance can be found in S240, Chapter
A. If your compliance questions are about welding, the appropriate document is AWS D1.3, another 100+
page IBC reference code. The primary point of this particular exercise is to point out the effort and knowledge
required to know how to properly determine and specify the type and extent of the special inspections
regarding just cold-formed steel light-frame construction.
You can also start to appreciate why the IBC requires that the responsible registered design professional (RDP)
in charge shall prepare the SSI. Even for these RDPs, the determination of the type and extent of specific
special inspections is a tall order. Our hats are off to these special folks! While we compliment the RDPs for the
hard work required to determine the type and extent of special inspections, we should also praise the special
inspectors. They must go through the same tedious process to determine the special inspections and tests
required by the code to verify compliance.
In addition to Chapter 17 of the IBC, the 10 chapters are where readers will find the reference codes and
standards that comprise IBC. You can find most of the special inspections code compliance criteria here
– especially the ASTM standards. IBC Chapter 35 contains a comprehensive list of all codes and standards
referenced in the code and hundreds of code adopted reference codes and standards.
Most of the code compliance criteria related to special inspections are listed in the various reference codes
and standards and not between the covers of the IBC. As mentioned earlier, this code compliance criteria is
crucial to determining the type and extent of special inspections and related testing. It is a complex task to sift
through the numerous reference codes and standards to ascertain the voluminous pieces of pertinent code
compliance criteria needed to determine the extent of special inspections. There are numerous adopted codes
and standards and hundreds of IBC-adopted ASTM standards. Many folks don’t know this, but ASTM standards
provide tons of code compliance criteria because they are either adopted by the IBC itself in Chapter 35 or by
individual model codes listed in Chapter 35 of the IBC. The depth and breadth of this code compliance search
to determine the extent of special inspections can be overwhelming.
Let’s track through one example of this process as it relates to cold-formed steel light-frame construction. IBC
Section 1705.11.2 requires special inspection for cold-formed steel light-frame construction, regardless of whether it is accomplished by welding, screw fasteners, or bolting. Section 1705.11.2 does not tell the reader where to find code compliance criteria. IBC Chapter 18, Section 2202.1, and IBC Chapter 35 invoke an American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) document, specifically S240, “Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing.” S240 is a 200+ page IBC reference standard that contains most of the code-required compliance criteria that defines the type and extent of special inspections for cold-formed steel structural framing. S240 has a brand new Chapter D, “Quality Control and Quality Assurance,” with 14 tables that list many inspection tasks and execution tasks required of the metals special inspector. The 14 tables stipulate numerous items and tasks that must be verified in the field by the special inspector to ensure that the work has (or has not) been performed in accordance with the S240 standard and with the construction documents. Chapter D, however, still offers limited code compliance criteria necessary to determine the type and extent of special inspections. These criteria can be found by taking a journey through the 200+ pages of S240, which, as you can imagine, is a delightful trip.
Let’s take that delightful trip through S240 looking for code compliance criteria. General alignment compliance
criteria are in S240, Chapter B, and criteria for plumbness and bearing tolerances are in S240, Chapter C. The
criteria for stud vertical and horizontal tolerances are in ASTM C1007, but foundation stud and track tolerances
are in Chapter C. Compliance tolerances for the bearing of floor and ceiling studs, joists, and trusses are in
Chapter B. Pertinent information on submittals and certificates of compliance can be found in S240, Chapter
A. If your compliance questions are about welding, the appropriate document is AWS D1.3, another 100+
page IBC reference code. The primary point of this particular exercise is to point out the effort and knowledge
required to know how to properly determine and specify the type and extent of the special inspections
regarding just cold-formed steel light-frame construction.
You can also start to appreciate why the IBC requires that the responsible registered design professional (RDP)
in charge shall prepare the SSI. Even for these RDPs, the determination of the type and extent of specific
special inspections is a tall order. Our hats are off to these special folks! While we compliment the RDPs for the
hard work required to determine the type and extent of special inspections, we should also praise the special
inspectors. They must go through the same tedious process to determine the special inspections and tests
required by the code to verify compliance.
Remember – the exercise we just went through was just for cold-formed steel light-frame construction.
We must perform a similar exercise on all project disciplines to determine the type and extent of special
inspections and tests for the entire project, including, but not limited to:
Soils, earthwork
• Concrete
• Masonry
• Structural Steel
• Wood
• Deep foundation systems
• Sprayed Fire-Resistant Materials (SFRM)
• Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant
coatings
• Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
• Seismic force-resisting systems
• Smoke-control systems
The code-required SSI is an essential document written to highlight the required inspections and testing; this
ensures a systematic approach to constructing a building that complies with code and meets or exceeds the
requirements of the project construction documents.
