Question about Site Inspection
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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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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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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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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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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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
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I see what the comments above are saying, but there are 2 inspections the architect preforms per the B101. please see excerpt from AHPP pg 731 (and read that chapter/ section for more great details on CA procedure / duties & responsibilities of each party during construction.)
"It is important that the owner understand the significance of observations versus
inspections. Observations are made of the work by the architect during the
course of the construction phase to review the work and report its progress and
conformance to the owner. Two inspections are made on the project, one to determine
substantial completion and one to determine final completion. Only substantial
completion is certified by the architect, and final completion is documented
only by the architect’s issuance of the final certificate for payment. The certification
of the final contractor’s application for payment is not a certification of final completion
because the architect is not responsible for the completion or conformance
of the work." - pg 731 AHPP
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