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Disclaimer

The Office of State Engineer has established statewide term contracts for building inspection special services and materials testing firms. Firms and individuals listed on the contracts are credentialed or certified by the International Code Council or other appropriate entities approved to provide construction projects.

• Building Inspection Services, typically referred to as "Chapter 1 Inspections," are the usual and ordinary building and building system inspections of the construction for compliance with the approved construction documents and the requirements of the relevant building codes. Building Inspections are defined by the Building Official.

• Special Inspection Services, typically referred to as "Chapter 17 Inspections," are specific inspections of materials and workmanship critical to the integrity of the building structure. Special Inspections are defined by the Architect/Engineer of record and the Building Official. They serve as a quality control measure to assure certain critical structural or fire and life safety design features are incorporated into the finished construction.

• Materials Testing Services are specific tests defined by the Architect/Engineer of record and the Building Official. They serve as a quality control measure to assure components of the foundation and structure possess the material properties required by the approved construction documents and the relevant building codes.

1. Who may use these contracts?

   Use of these contracts is mandatory for all state agencies. Local political subdivisions may use them, if desired. See Section 11-35-310(35) of the S.C. Code of Laws.

2. When are they effective?

   Starting January 1, 2005 for all state projects.

3. Are these the only inspections needed?

   No. These inspections and testing services provided by these contractors are intended to verify compliance with the building codes and related standards for the health, safety and welfare of the public. The agency through its Architects/Engineer of record may require "specification inspections" and tests which are intended to ensure that work is performed according to design specifications. These specification inspectors represent the owner's interests, not the interest of the general public.

4. May the architect/engineer of record provide these inspection services as part of the design contract services?

   No, except for special inspections which may involve the Structural Engineer of record in performing some of the inspections or observations.

5. Will OSE allow the agency's project management staff to perform self-inspections?

   There are no plans for this at present time. OSE is instead promoting greater agency involvement in the plans review process, coupled with the third-party inspections provided under the statewide contracts.