Building Code Inspections

Service Description

Code: 2018 NC Administrative Code and Policies Date: 7/24/2020 Section: GS 160D-11-6 (also 160A-413.5 until 1/1/2021) Question #1: What inspections can a licensed architect or licensed engineer perform prescriptively based on the statutes? Definitions: The statute allows for a city or county to accept, without further inspection, a design or other proposal for a “component” or “element”. The statutes have provided definitions and examples: 1. Component. Any assembly, subassembly, or combination of elements designed to be combined with other components to form part of a building or structure. Examples of a component include an excavated footing trench containing no concrete, a foundation, and a prepared underslab with slab-related materials without concrete. 2. Element. A combination of products designed to be combined with other elements to form all or part of a building component. Opinion: Section 107 of the NC Administrative Code and Policies shows the required inspections that shall be performed by the inspection department. Based upon the principals in the statutes, the following required inspections may be performed by a licensed architect or licensed engineer using the form set out within the statutes approved by the NC Building Code Council. 1. Footing Inspection. Footing inspections shall be made after the trenches are excavated, all grade stakes are installed, all reinforcing steel and supports are in place and tied, and all necessary forms are in place and braced before any concrete is placed. 2. Under-slab inspection. Under-slab inspections, as appropriate, shall be made after all materials and equipment to be concealed by the concrete slab are completed. 3. Foundation inspection. Foundation and crawl space inspections shall be made after all foundation supports are installed. [Commentary: Foundation inspections are conducted to verify correct installation and proper bearing support. Poured concrete and masonry walls that have reinforcement steel should be inspected prior to concrete placement. Crawl space leveling, ground clearances, positive drainage and waterproofing/dampproofing, when required, may be inspected at future inspections prior to concealment]. The statutes further define that components and elements are not systems. An entire building is, therefore, not considered a component or element. The inspection includes a formal, stamped, and signed letter that outlines the results of the inspection.

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