(A) All materials, arrangements of materials and methods of construction of prefabricated buildings or structures or prefabricated parts of buildings or structures, before being used, shall be approved by the Building Inspector as complying with the requirements of this article.
(B) If it appears to the Building Inspector that tests are necessary to determine the stability of the structural design of any prefabricated assembly, the Building Inspector may require such tests. During such tests, the assembly shall be subjected to loads acting at the same points and in the same direction as the loads that would fall upon it in the complete structure. The expense of such tests shall be paid by the contractor or, if there is no contractor, the owner of the property before the assembly is approved.
(C) Before the Building Inspector shall approve any prefabricated assembly, the contractor or, if there is no contractor, the owner of the property may be required to furnish a certificate, signed by a registered engineer or architect, or testing agency approved by the Building Inspector, of compliance with the requirements of this chapter. If mechanical equipment has been installed in an assembly in such a manner that it cannot be inspected by the Building Inspector, the certificate shall also specify that such equipment complies with the requirements of this chapter pertaining to the equipment. All compensation for such certifying services shall be paid by the contractor or owner of the property furnishing the certificate. Failure on the part of any approved certifying agency to make the required inspections, or the making, by any approved certifying agency, of false or improper certificates shall constitute grounds for cancellation of approval of the agency by the Building Inspector.
(D) In the case of prefabricated construction, the Building Inspector may also inspect the placement of prefabricated assemblies at the building site. The Building Inspector, in his or her discretion, may make a continuous inspection during the assembling of sidewalls and roofs, in which event the contractor or, if there is no contractor, the owner of the property shall pay to the Building Inspector the cost as computed by the Mayor and Council of such inspection.
(2005 Code, § 9-308)