14B-17-1704 Special inspections and tests, contractor responsibility and structural observation.
The provisions of Section 1704 of IBC are adopted by reference with the following modifications:
1.   Revise Section 1704.2 to read:
"1704.2 Special inspections and tests.
Where application is made to the building official for construction as specified in Chapter 4 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, the owner shall employ one or more special inspection agencies to provide special inspections and tests during construction on the types of work specified in Section 1705 and identify the special inspection agencies to the building official. These special inspections and tests are in addition to the inspections by the building official that are identified in Section 502 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions.
Exceptions:
1.   Special inspections and tests are not required for construction of a minor nature or as warranted by conditions approved by the building official.
2.   [Reserved.]
3.   Special inspections and tests are not required for portions of structures designed and constructed in accordance with the cold-formed steel light-frame construction provisions of Section 2211.1.2 or the conventional wood light-frame construction provisions of Section 2308.
4.   The contractor is permitted to employ the special inspection agencies."
2.   Revise Section 1704.2.1 to read:
"1704.2.1 Special inspection agency qualifications.
Prior to the start of construction, the special inspection agencies shall provide written documentation to the owner demonstrating the competence and relevant experience or training of the special inspectors who will perform the special inspections and tests during construction. Experience or training shall be considered to be relevant where the documented experience or training is related in complexity to the same type of special inspection or testing activities for projects of similar complexity and material qualities. These qualifications are in addition to qualifications specified in other sections of the Chicago Construction Codes. The owner shall make this documentation available to the building official upon request.
The registered design professional in responsible charge and engineers of record involved in the design of the project are allowed to act as the special inspection agency and their personnel are permitted to act as special inspectors for the work designed by them, provided they qualify as special inspectors.
1704.2.1.1 Evidence of qualifications.
A special inspection agency shall provide all information as necessary for the owner to determine that the agency meets the applicable requirements specified in Sections 1704.2.1.1.1 through 1704.2.1.1.3.
1704.2.1.1.1 Independence.
A special inspection agency shall be objective, competent and independent from the contractor responsible for the work being inspected. The agency shall disclose to the owner and the registered design professional in responsible charge possible conflicts of interest so that objectivity can be confirmed.
1704.2.1.1.2 Equipment.
A special inspection agency shall have adequate equipment to perform required tests. The equipment shall be periodically calibrated.
1704.2.1.1.3 Personnel.
A special inspection agency shall employ experienced personnel educated in conducting, supervising and evaluating tests and special inspections.
3.   Revise Section 1704.2.3 by replacing "Section 107.1" with "Section 411.1 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions."
4.   Revise Section 1704.2.4 to read:
"1704.2.4 Report requirement.
Special inspection agencies shall keep records of special inspections and tests. The special inspection agency shall submit reports of special inspections and tests to the owner and to the registered design professional in responsible charge. Reports shall indicate that work inspected or tested was or was not completed in conformance to permitted construction documents. Discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction. If they are not corrected, the discrepancies shall be brought to the attention of the building official and to the registered design professional in responsible charge prior to the completion of that phase of the work. The building official may require that a final report documenting required special inspections and tests, and correction of any discrepancies noted in the inspections or tests, be submitted to the building official prior to occupancy."
5.   Revise the last sentence of Section 1704.2.5.1 to read:
"At completion of fabrication, the fabricator shall submit a certificate of compliance to the owner stating that the work was performed in accordance with the permitted construction documents. The certificate of compliance shall be made available to the building official."
6.   Delete the exception to Section 1704.3.
7.   Revise Section 1704.3.1, item 4, by deleting "1705.11."
8.   Delete Section 1704.3.3.
9.   Revise Section 1704.4 to read:
"1704.4 Contractor responsibility.
Each contractor responsible for the construction of a seismic force-resisting system, designated seismic system or a seismic force-resisting component listed in the statement of special inspections shall submit a written statement of responsibility to the owner prior to the commencement of work on the system or component. The contractor’s statement of responsibility shall contain acknowledgement of awareness of the special requirements contained in the statement of special inspections."
10.   Revise the title and first sentence of Section 1704.5 to read:
"1704.5 Documents made available to the building official.
In addition to the reports of special inspections and tests in accordance with Section 1704.2.4, reports and certificates shall be submitted to the owner and made available to the building official for each of the following:"
11.   Revise Section 1704.5, item 7, by replacing "Seismic Design Category B, C, D, E or F" with "Seismic Design Category C or D."
12.   Revise Section 1704.6 and its subsections to read:
"1704.6 Structural observations.
Where required by the provisions of Section 1704.6.1 or 1704.6.2, the owner shall employ a registered design professional to perform structural observations. Structural observation does not include or waive the responsibility for the inspections required by Chapter 5 of the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions or the special inspections in Section 1705 or other sections of this code.
Prior to the commencement of observations, the structural observer shall submit to the owner a written statement identifying the frequency and extent of structural observations. The statement shall be made available to the building official.
At the conclusion of the work included in the permit, the structural observer shall submit to the owner a written statement that the site visits have been made and identify any reported deficiencies that, to the best of the structural observer’s knowledge, have not been resolved. The statement shall be made available to the building official. The structural observer shall notify the building official in writing of any deficiencies that, to the best of the structural observer’s knowledge, have not been resolved by the owner at the conclusion of work.
1704.6.1 Structural observations for structures.
Structural observations shall be provided for those structures where the work involves construction or alteration of the primary structural frame and one or more of the following conditions exist:
1.   The structure is classified as Risk Category IV.
2.   The structure is a high-rise building.
3.   Such observation is required by the registered design professional responsible for the structural design.
4.   Such observation is specifically required by the building official.
1704.6.2 Structural observations for seismic resistance - Risk Category IV.
Structural observations shall be provided for those structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D where the structure is classified as Risk Category IV."