Quality Assurance: A Spotlight on Special Inspections
By Rick Hanny, Omaha Special Inspections Team Leader
We often hear, "Why are special inspections important?"
The answer is simple: Special inspections monitor materials and workmanship critical to the integrity of a building structure to provide quality assurance for a project.
Our Special Inspections staff members review a contractor's work and their employees to ensure approved plans and specifications are being followed, observe relevant codes and ordinances, and make sure the building is structurally sound. We often joke that special inspections save lives. In reality, this is no joke, but rather another process, in addition to inspections done by the municipal building inspectors and engineers, to make sure that the structure is safe for public or private use not only after the structure is completed but during construction.
Many different types of testing are conducted based on the type of structure. Like most industries, the testing process has changed over the years, and requirements have evolved from the UBC (Uniform Building Code) and BOCA (Building Officials and Codes Administration) to the IBC (International Building Code). Olsson's testing and inspection services have evolved to keep up with the changes. Our testing services have started providing paperless reporting, including electronic submittals and Web-based storage of reports, files, project pictures, and invoicing.
Testing equipment has evolved over the years as well. Olsson provides nondestructive testing services and has recently added new phased array technology. This is a step beyond traditional ultrasonic testing and, to some extent, replaces radiographic testing. This technology can allow testing and inspection to be completed as the contractor continues to work, rather than shutting down a project area as is required during X-Ray testing to keep workers safe.
Why incorporate Special Inspections into your project? Simply put, these services provide the comfort and security that your project was constructed with the materials and workmanship that you had requested and paid for as a designer and/or owner.
Many projects involve challenges beyond engineering, and Olsson Associates is available to perform a wide variety of code-mandated reviews for specific structural elements of your projects. Our Special Inspections and Material Testing Team provides field testing services, such as nuclear density testing during subgrade preparations and mass grading operations; concrete testing for roadway, commercial, and industrial projects; welding and high-strength bolt inspections; inspections of structural steel membranes; and fireproofing inspections.
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You can reach Rick Hanny with Olsson's Special Inspections team at rhanny@oaconsulting.com.