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Special Inspection in Michigan

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Special Inspection in Michigan

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  1. To insert your company logo on this slide • From the Insert Menu • Select “Picture” • Locate your logo file • Click OK To resize the logo • Click anywhere inside the logo. The boxes that appear outside the logo are known as “resize handles.” • Use these to resize the object. • If you hold down the shift key before using the resize handles, you will maintain the proportions of the object you wish to resize. Special Inspection in Michigan Presented by: Ronald LaMere, P.E. BKBM Engineers, Minneapolis rlamere@bkbm.com

  2. Council of American Structural Engineers • CASE is a committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). • About 300 member firms. • Improve quality, profitability and business practices of structural engineering firms. • website: www.acec.org/about/case

  3. CASE/Minnesota • Committee of ACEC/Minnesota. • About 50 member firms. • The structural engineering association for Minnesota (technical and business). • No direct association with CASE National. • website: www.acecmn.org/committees/casemn

  4. Presentation Format • Making the CASE for Special Inspection • History of Special Inspection • CASE and CASE/MN Approaches • Team Roles • Special Inspection Program Implementation • Uniformity and Buy-in • More Questions and Answers

  5. Purpose • Special Structural Inspection provides greater confidence that the contractor’s work complies with the structural engineer’s drawings, specifications and design intent.

  6. Making a CASE for Special Inspections • Code Requirement (Mandatory) • Public Safety • Cost Implications • Additional Benefits

  7. Making a CASE for Special Inspections • 2003 IBC Chapter 17 – Structural Tests and Special Inspections

  8. Making a CASE for Special InspectionsPublic Safety • U.S. House Report 98-621 (Structural Failures in Public Facilities, 1984) identified over 20 contributing factors, the following two as most critical: • The need for improved organization on construction projects and better communication between participants. • The need for construction inspection by the Structural Engineer of Record during the construction of principal structural components. Therefore, SER involvement is not self-promotion.

  9. Making a CASE for Special InspectionsCost • Do Special Inspections increase traditional inspection and testing costs? • Yes, these tasks have been expanded by Code. • Special Inspection/testing generally runs 3/8% to 3/4% of construction cost. • Same order of magnitude as design fees. • Many tasks were performed prior.

  10. Making a CASE for Special InspectionsCost • Can Special Inspections performed by the SER reduce total project construction costs? • Yes. Potential cost savings are just one aspect. • All parties benefit from the SER’s involvement. • Cost difference between SER and other “qualified” personnel is modest. • If need to do, DO IT RIGHT!

  11. Making a CASE for Special InspectionsAdditional Benefits of SER Participation • As the Special Inspector, the SER can: • Communicate modifications before constructed. • Provide prompt responses to field questions. • Expedite corrections to construction errors. • Improve design-construction team working relationships. • Reduce misinterpretation of design intent.

  12. Owner Benefits • Higher quality • Lower overall project cost • Potentially offset special inspections fee • Faster delivery • Less litigation potential

  13. Architect/Prime Designer Benefits • Fewer RFI’s to process • Fewer CO’s to explain • Potential fee increase/mark-up for retaining SER • Potential to do some SI in-house

  14. Contractor Benefits • Fast decisions • Less re-work • Better planning • Smoother running project

  15. Structural Engineer Benefits • Reduced liability • Increased work with minimal selling • Additional scope/fee • Hourly rate basis plus reimbursable expenses • Reduce fee for overlap with basic services • Avoid fixing contractor mistakes for free!

  16. Financial Benefit • Example - $10 million / 80,000 s.f. school • CMU Bearing Walls • Steel Beams/Precast Plank Floor • Steel Beams/Open Web Joists/Steel Deck Roof

  17. Financial Benefit • Basic SE fee = $60,000 • Profit = $6,000 (10%) • SI fee = $15,000 (CMU/Conc. Reinf.) • Profit = $3,000 (20%) • Reduced free “fixes” • Added Profit = $1,500 (varies) • Net Profit increased to $10,500 (75%)

  18. Building Official Benefits • Greater confidence that work complies with the engineer’s design intent.

  19. A Brief HistoryRequirements and Established Procedures • 1927 UBC created and included inspections • 1961 UBC Special Inspection inception • 1988 UBC required inclusion in the CD’s • 1993 BOCA included Special Inspections • 2000 IBC expanded requirements • 2003 IBC modifies some requirements • 2003 NFPA 5000 expands SER’s role • 2006 IBC expands/clarifies

  20. A Brief HistoryWest Coast Experience • 1927 UBC required a “Registered Inspector” • 1961 Special Inspection Inception • Program administered by Building Official • Testing/Inspection agencies certified by ICBO/ICC • Limited involvement by SER/RDP

  21. A Brief HistoryMinnesota Experience • 1989 - New emphasis on enforcing special inspection code requirements by MN Bldg. Codes and Standards Division • 1990 - State code (UBC 1988) includes “Special Inspection Guidelines” • 1993 - CASE/MN - “Guidelines for Structural Testing and Special Inspection” • 2003 - “Guideline Program for Structural Testing and Special Inspection, 4th edition” • Strong support from State, but still varied involvement by SER

  22. CASE Position Statement • “The on-site presence of the SER through Special Inspections is the best means to protect the public and improve quality.” • “The SER should serve as the Special Inspector whenever possible and practical.”

  23. CASE Position • Overall SI process/program should be managed by a single Special Inspector. • The Special Inspector may perform the required inspections or retain agents.

  24. Minnesota Approach • Distinguish testing from inspection and have two separate agents • Special Inspector-Technical (testing) • Special Inspector-Structural (judgment) • The SER should perform specific SI-S inspections when possible and practical • SER not required to manage entire program

  25. CASE/MN Approach Clear Definitions are Important • Testing: The analysis of materials in accordance with approved standards to determine compliance with the contract documents. • Inspection: The evaluation of materials and workmanship based on the application of engineering judgment.

  26. Slightly Different Approaches • CASE advocates single/overall Special Inspector/Manager concept. • Minnesota has separation of testing vs. inspection roles. • Both intend strong leadership role by SER.

  27. Slightly Different Approaches • CASE’s sole-source SI Program management is ideal. • SER firms may not have time/staff to manage entire process. • Minnesota method facilitates SER’s direct involvement with more limited role. • Minnesota focuses SER’s involvement to inspections requiring engineering “judgment”.

  28. Special Inspection Team Roles • Owner • Prime Professional/RDP in responsible charge (often Architect) • Structural Engineer • Contractor • Building Official • Testing Agency • Special Inspector

  29. Team Roles-Owner • The Owner, not the Contractor, must retain and pay for Special Inspections. • Can delegate the RDP to serve as the Owner’s agent and retain/pay for SI.

  30. Team Roles-Prime Professional/RDP • Inform Owner of the requirement for SI. • Assist in establishing budget for SI. • Assist in retaining SI agents. • Facilitate SER’s involvement in SI.

  31. Team Roles-Structural Engineer • Prepare the Statement of Special Inspections • Define specific tests/inspections/qualifications • Assist with budgeting – limit surprises. • Review special inspection and testing reports. • Serve as Special Inspector, if practical.

  32. Team Roles-Contractor • Cooperate with special inspection and testing agents. • Schedule inspections and tests. • Provide safe access for agents. • Review special inspection and testing reports. • Correct deficiencies identified.

  33. Team Roles-Building Official • Require completed Statement of Special Inspections prior to Permit issue. • Review special inspector qualifications. • Review interim reports. • Review fabricator’s certificate of compliance. • Require Final Report of Special Inspections prior to Certificate of Occupancy issue.

  34. Team Roles-Testing Agency • Testing technicians should “test” and not ‘inspect”. • An important role, but not a substitute for engineering judgment.

  35. Team Roles-Special Inspector • Manage the entire Special Inspection Program (CASE National approach). • Manage separate SI-Testing or SI-Inspection elements. (Minnesota approach). • Conduct a pre-construction meeting. • Perform specific inspections using the Contact Documents. • Determine if fabricator has acceptable QA Program to reduce/eliminate Special Inspection.

  36. Team Roles-Special Inspector • Coordinate testing and inspection agents. • Bring discrepancies to immediate attention of Contractor. • Verify discrepancies are corrected, else notify SER (and building official) in timely manner. • Collect, review, and submit interim reports to Building Official, SER, Owner, etc. • Prepare Final Report of Special Inspections.

  37. Special Inspector-Qualifications • Expertise in the structural system being inspected. • Conveys a false sense of security if not done properly.

  38. Qualifications • Engineering training and experience critical for inspections requiring judgment. • ICBO certification programs. • ACI, AWS, and ASNT certification programs.

  39. Conflict of Interest? • It is a conflict of interest for the Contractor to hire the Special Inspector and testing laboratory. • It is nota conflict of interest for the SER to serve as the Special Inspector. • Minnesota Bldg. Code specifically states that a qualified SER can serve as a Special Inspector.

  40. Background Summary • The purpose of Special Inspection is to provide greater confidence that the Contractor’s work complies with the Structural Engineer’s drawings, specifications and design intent. • Not a “Peer Review” of design. • The SER has the greatest stake and desire to see the design intent achieved. • No conflict of interest for SER to perform SI.

  41. What’s Required? • Special Inspection Program/Statement of SI are required for building permit. • Includes actual materials/work, specific inspections, qualifications, specific agents, reporting procedures. • Prepared/tailored by RDP in responsible charge for specific project’s materials.

  42. How to Implement? • Several programs already exist. • Build on existing methods. • Focus on CASE National and CASE/Minnesota approaches.

  43. Implementation – CASE Method • Third Edition changed title: Guide to Special Inspections and Quality Assurance Available to download on website: www.acec.org/about/case-committees

  44. Implementation-CASE Method • Useful forms on website: • Statement of Special Inspections • Schedule of Special Inspection Services for all Materials and Systems • Qualifications of Inspectors and Testing Technicians • Final Report of Special Inspections

  45. Implementation-CASE/MN Method • Incorporate the CASE/MN Guideline Programinto projects consistently. Various methods: • Edit into specifications • Separate stand alone program • Summarize (don’t specify) in structural notes www.acecmn.org,committees/CASEMN

  46. CASE/MN Specifications • Section 01410 Special Structural Testing & Inspection

  47. CASE/MN Specifications • Why not just reference inspections stated in Chapter 17 tables? • The tables do not identify the specific levels of inspection to verify compliance.

  48. Example – Concrete Construction • IBC Table 1704.4, Item 1. Inspection of reinforcing steel, including prestressing tendons, and placement. • Actual Program to include the following inspections: • Bar size and grade • Spacing, location, clearance • Free of excessive rust, dirt, oil, damage • Properly supported • Lap lengths and locations • Mechanical splices • Epoxy coating • Post-tensioning has even more requirements • Else compliance is open to different interpretations by different inspectors!

  49. CASE/MN Specifications • PART 1 - GENERAL • 1.1 Intent and Conditions • 1.2 Related Requirements • 1.3 Definitions Special Inspector - Technical I, II, III - Usually an employee of a testing agency. Special Inspector – Structural I, II - Usually an employee of the SER firm.

  50. CASE/MN Specifications • PART 1 (continued) • 1.4 References • 1.5 Responsibilities • 1.6 Payment • Owner or Architect/Engineer of record, acting as Owners agent, will directly employ and pay for services of special inspectors. • 1.7 Inspection Notice • Minimum 24 hours • 1.8 Reports • Date issued, Project title, Firm / SI name • Specific locations, types, results • Statement of compliance

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