International Building Code Revisions Mandate Inspection and Testing Changes
Date Posted: January 6, 2022
Posted In: Discussion, Ideas, News,
Editor’s Note: Revisions in Chapter 17 of the International Code Council’s 2021 International Building Code mandate significant changes in special inspections and testing. These changes apply to Category III (more than 300 people in one area) and IV (designated as essential services)/ The chapter reviews testing procedures and inspection criteria used to determine where additional inspections and testing are needed for a number of structures, including precast concrete diaphragms, mass timber elements, deep foundations, and steel storage racks.
From Structures: This five-part series (Part 1, STRUCTURE, November 2021, Part 2, December 2021) includes discussion of significant structural changes to the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) by the International Code Council (ICC). This installment includes an overview of changes to Chapter 17 on special inspections and testing. Only a portion of the total number of code changes to this chapter are discussed in this article. More information on the code changes discussed here can be found in the 2021 Significant Changes to the International Building Code, available from ICC (Figure 1).IBC Chapter 17 provides various procedures and criteria for inspection, testing, and labeling of materials and assemblies. Its key purpose is to establish where additional inspections/ observations or testing must be provided and what submittals must be provided to the building official. The following modifications were approved for the 2021 IBC. Changes are shown in strikethrough/underline format with a brief description of each change’s significance.
Structural Observations
Structural observations are now required for all buildings assigned to Risk Category III or IV. Additional clarification provides clear direction for the duties of the structural observer.
1704.6 Structural observations. Where required by the provisions of Section 1704.6.1, 1704.6.2, or 1704.6.3, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent shall employ a registered design professional to perform structural observations. The structural observer shall visually observe representative locations of structural systems, details, and load paths for general conformance to the design intent as defined in the approved construction documents. Structural observation does not include or waive the responsibility for the inspections in Section 110 or the special inspections in Section 1705 or other sections of this code. [unchanged text omitted for brevity]
1704.6.1 Structural observations for structures. Structural observations shall be provided for those structures where one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. The structure is classified as Risk Category III or IV.
Change Significance: The new description in Section 1704.6 is intended to provide clear direction for the duties of the structural observer. The structural observer is expected to observe, gravity and lateral force resisting systems, connection details, and gravity and lateral load paths. The clarification is also intended to help address a widespread perception of overlap between special inspections and structural observations. Special inspections are very detailed inspections of components and materials within structural systems. Special inspections require certification and specialized training, but they do not necessarily require an understanding of how systems are designed to function as part of the overall building.