GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ICC EXAM
ACCURATE 100%
Special Inspection (SIM Description) - ANSWER "A quality assurance measure that
ensures critical structural or fire and life safety design features are incorporated into the
construction of the building structure. Special inspection is required to ensure
compliance with the approved construction documents (plans) and standards
referenced in the applicable codes."
David P. Tyree and James D. Bowman's Statement (pg 4) - ANSWER "The purpose of
special inspection is to provide additional evaluation above and beyond inspections
normally performed by the building department in areas of construction where strength,
safety, and construction practices have been determined by the building code, engineer,
or architect of record, or building official to be sufficiently critical to warrant a special
inspector."
When is special inspection required? - ANSWER When the structural frame requires
design by a registered design professional approved by the building official.
What is risk category based on? - ANSWER Risk category is deemed by the IBC and
based on Occupancy type and building use.
Risk Category 1 - ANSWER Agriculture buildings (low occupancy)
Risk Category 2 - ANSWER Most commercial and residential buildings
Risk Category 3 - ANSWER Substantial life safety hazard if failure occurs (K-12
schools, public buildings, detention centers)
Risk Category 4 - ANSWER Essential Facilities (hospitals, police, fire stations,
emergency shelters, national defense, emergency operations centers)
Who is a special inspector? - ANSWER An individual with specialized skills who
observes critical building or structural elements identified in the statement of special
inspections for compliance with plans and specifications - approved by the building
official.
Who is a Building Official? - ANSWER A designated authority (Usually from the city of
county municipality) that enforces special inspections within their jurisdiction.
Who is the Owner? - ANSWER An individual or group that funds the project and owns
the property and structure being built. Owners can also retain an owner's
representative, hired to act on their behalf so they don't have to be involved in day-to-
day affairs on the project.
, Who is a Registered Design Professional? - ANSWER A registered and /or licensed
individual - usually an architect or structural engineer functioning under an architect -
that designs the building and creates the construction documents.
What are construction documents? - ANSWER Refer to the project plans and
specifications. They specify everything needed to construct the building including
materials, project requirements, and special inspections.
Who is the overall Prime? - ANSWER Also what the architect is known as. The role on
the project that means they are ultimately responsible for the design outcome to the
owner, and who hires all the design consultants (structural, mechanical, and electrical
engineers) who design all the building's systems.
What happens when a project goes Design-Build? - ANSWER The Contractor then
becomes the Prime and is in charge of the design as well construction.
What may a building official require of a special inspector? - ANSWER 1. An ICC
certification
2. A resume to keep on record documenting their project experience
3. A formal meeting
4. A personal interview with an oral test you must pass
What is a special inspection considered? - ANSWER a "3rd party quality assurance
service."
What is the 1st required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
1. Notify the special inspector or special inspection agency of a needed inspection in a
timely manner. Most specifications require at least 24 to 48 hours' notice.
What is the 2nd required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? -
ANSWER 2. Provide special inspectors with full access to approved plans/
specifications.
What is the 3rd required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
3. Keep all special inspection reports at the jobsite, available to other inspectors and the
building official for review at any time.
What is the 4th required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
Provide safe and full access for special inspectors to jobsite areas needing inspection.
What is the Statement of Responseability? - ANSWER It is additionally what the
contractor is required to write to the owner, a Statement of Responsibility.
ACCURATE 100%
Special Inspection (SIM Description) - ANSWER "A quality assurance measure that
ensures critical structural or fire and life safety design features are incorporated into the
construction of the building structure. Special inspection is required to ensure
compliance with the approved construction documents (plans) and standards
referenced in the applicable codes."
David P. Tyree and James D. Bowman's Statement (pg 4) - ANSWER "The purpose of
special inspection is to provide additional evaluation above and beyond inspections
normally performed by the building department in areas of construction where strength,
safety, and construction practices have been determined by the building code, engineer,
or architect of record, or building official to be sufficiently critical to warrant a special
inspector."
When is special inspection required? - ANSWER When the structural frame requires
design by a registered design professional approved by the building official.
What is risk category based on? - ANSWER Risk category is deemed by the IBC and
based on Occupancy type and building use.
Risk Category 1 - ANSWER Agriculture buildings (low occupancy)
Risk Category 2 - ANSWER Most commercial and residential buildings
Risk Category 3 - ANSWER Substantial life safety hazard if failure occurs (K-12
schools, public buildings, detention centers)
Risk Category 4 - ANSWER Essential Facilities (hospitals, police, fire stations,
emergency shelters, national defense, emergency operations centers)
Who is a special inspector? - ANSWER An individual with specialized skills who
observes critical building or structural elements identified in the statement of special
inspections for compliance with plans and specifications - approved by the building
official.
Who is a Building Official? - ANSWER A designated authority (Usually from the city of
county municipality) that enforces special inspections within their jurisdiction.
Who is the Owner? - ANSWER An individual or group that funds the project and owns
the property and structure being built. Owners can also retain an owner's
representative, hired to act on their behalf so they don't have to be involved in day-to-
day affairs on the project.
, Who is a Registered Design Professional? - ANSWER A registered and /or licensed
individual - usually an architect or structural engineer functioning under an architect -
that designs the building and creates the construction documents.
What are construction documents? - ANSWER Refer to the project plans and
specifications. They specify everything needed to construct the building including
materials, project requirements, and special inspections.
Who is the overall Prime? - ANSWER Also what the architect is known as. The role on
the project that means they are ultimately responsible for the design outcome to the
owner, and who hires all the design consultants (structural, mechanical, and electrical
engineers) who design all the building's systems.
What happens when a project goes Design-Build? - ANSWER The Contractor then
becomes the Prime and is in charge of the design as well construction.
What may a building official require of a special inspector? - ANSWER 1. An ICC
certification
2. A resume to keep on record documenting their project experience
3. A formal meeting
4. A personal interview with an oral test you must pass
What is a special inspection considered? - ANSWER a "3rd party quality assurance
service."
What is the 1st required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
1. Notify the special inspector or special inspection agency of a needed inspection in a
timely manner. Most specifications require at least 24 to 48 hours' notice.
What is the 2nd required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? -
ANSWER 2. Provide special inspectors with full access to approved plans/
specifications.
What is the 3rd required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
3. Keep all special inspection reports at the jobsite, available to other inspectors and the
building official for review at any time.
What is the 4th required item of the contractor regarding special inspection? - ANSWER
Provide safe and full access for special inspectors to jobsite areas needing inspection.
What is the Statement of Responseability? - ANSWER It is additionally what the
contractor is required to write to the owner, a Statement of Responsibility.
