There is a lot of debate in the construction and design community about whether the testing agency and/ or the project special inspector should sample and test the project’s concrete masonry units (CMU) during construction to verify compliance with code and the contract documents. Please read the narrative box at the bottom of the page, as well as Article 1.4B of TMS 602 and Section 2103.1 of the IBC code, to read exactly WHERE the code states that the CMU must be sampled and tested to verify compliance during construction phases.
There is equal debate regarding project submittals and the special inspector’s role in these items. TMS 602, Table 3, which lists the services and duties of the Testing Agency, states in the first line of the table, “Prior to construction, verification of submittals.” Similarly, TMS 602, Table 4 (3a), entitled Minimum Special Inspection Requirements, states, “Verify that materials and procedures comply with the approved submittals.”
The TMS 602, Table 3, edict instructs the testing agency or its special inspector to verify that the approved submittal complies with the code. The TMS 602, Table 4 (3a), inspection task stipulates that the testing agency and/or the special inspector verify (periodically) that construction materials and construction procedures, during construction phases, comply with the approved submittals.
Construction testing of CMU is also required by TMS 602, Section 2.3, which specifies that all masonry must comply with applicable ASTM designations and be verified. Verification of grout, mortar, and CMU with code and contract documents during construction phases is required by the TMS 602 and IBC codes.
TMS 602, Article 1.4B, is incorporated into IBC Chapter 21, Section 2103.1 Both of these sections require verification of concrete masonry unit (CMU) compliance through inspection and testing of samples during construction to ensure the CMU meets the code mandated quality criteria such as compressive strength, dimensions, etc. as specified in the construction documents and the project quality assurance program as stated in Table 3 and Table 4 of TMS 602.
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For more information or further enthusiastic discourse on topics of CODE, please contact Alan Tuck at: [email protected] or 540.344.7939.
