Question about Site Inspection

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Wenqi Huang

October 29, 2020 15:05

Hi ARE community,

One quick question. If architect notice something wired on the site (EX: equipment undersized, wrong beam size…), apart from writing into the field report, should he/she notify the contractor immediately as well? To avoid the damage become more serious?

Thanks!

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  David Kaplan October 29, 2020 16:31

  Yes, absolutely.  

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  Matias Santini October 29, 2020 20:29

  But do not make any suggestions on how to fix it. You can point out the issue you see, and let the contractor resolve the issue. 

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  Gang Chen October 30, 2020 00:53 (Edited October 30, 2020 02:35)

  First of all, it should be called a field observation, not a site inspection. Inspection implies the architect has some authority to “inspect”, and therefore may be liable for site activities.

  Secondly, it is better to contact the owner directly and then have the owner deal with the contractor. If it is an emergency (equipment undersized, wrong beam size… are not emergency), you need to do what you need to do as a normal person, but you still need to follow up with a written memo to both the owner and contractor. Always keep the owner in the loop.

  Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

   

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  Wenqi Huang October 31, 2020 19:46

  Thanks Gang! It's super clear!

   

  I have another question, apart from Architect's inspection, the building still needs other inspection from AHJ right? I am wondering what's the relationship between AHJ/ Building inspector/ Special inspector? They sound similar but actually different, kind of confused me here.

   

  Thank you so much!

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  Gang Chen November 01, 2020 04:46 (Edited November 01, 2020 04:47)

  Building inspector is an inspector from building department, it is part of AHJ. When a contractor pulls the building permit, AHJ (the city or county, etc.)  will give the contractor an inspection sheet that lists all the inspections the building inspector will inspect and approve before the contractor can go for the next step in construction. For example, rebars have to installed by contractor, and be inspected and approved by AHJ before concrete is poured.

  Special inspector is a third-party that contractor need to hire separately per the construction documents’ requirements. For example, structural plans may call for a few special inspections.

  Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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  Wenqi Huang November 02, 2020 03:17

  Thank you so much Gang!

   

  So AHJ is the one issue the certificate of occupancy right? Will the owner receive this at the substantial completion? Or before that?

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  Gang Chen November 02, 2020 06:30

  This link may help:

  https://www.levelset.com/blog/certificate-of-occupancy/

  Gang Chen, Author, Architect, LEED AP BD+C (GreenExamEducation.com)

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  Mark Baker November 07, 2020 17:12

  I cringed when I saw you asking about "Architect's site INSPECTION."

  As Gang noted, the Architect is NOT an INSPECTOR.

  The architect is an OBSERVER.  The architect reports what they observed.

  If there was anything unsafe at the time of observation, the architect should point it out to the contractor and owner, but can not require or instruct anyone to do anythng about it.  That would bring on LIABILITY.

  Just wanted to EMPHASIZE the above point

  Mark

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