CHOP | Chapter 2.3.11 | pp. 7

Independent inspection provided by specialist inspection and testing firms is required on most construction projects. The following summarizes the relationship of these specialists with the architect:

• inspection and testing is usually recommended by the architect or the engineers;
  
• these specialists do not supersede the architect’s authority;
  
• these services are ancillary to the architect’s basic construction administration services;
  
• the architect must ensure that he/she is only assisting in the process and does not assume a contractual obligation;
  
• inspection and testing firms undertake tests and issue timely reports, but they do not interpret the results of these tests or issue instructions to the contractor;
  
• interpretations are made by the contractor in the first instance and finally by the architect and the engineering consultants.

Inspection and testing firms are frequently selected by methods typically used for selecting other professionals, that is, by soliciting proposals. The cost of these services is generally paid for by the owner who contracts:

• directly with the inspection agency; or
  
• indirectly through the general contractor.

Inspection and testing services are frequently paid through cash allowances provided for in the construction contract. Sometimes, inspection and testing services are included as a sub-contract. For example, air balancing is frequently a sub-contract of the mechanical contractor. Also, manufacturers' representatives — such as certain roofing membrane manufacturers — commonly inspect the installation of their products by the trades to ensure compliance with their standards.

The following are typical examples of inspection and testing required:

Division 03 — Concrete

• test for air entrainment
  
• slump test
  
• load testing on cylinders
  
• core drilling and testing
  
• inspection of placement of steel reinforcement
  
• X-ray of existing concrete slabs

Division 04 — Masonry

• mortar test and chemical composition
  
• testing of masonry units for compressive strength, absorption, etc.

Division 05 — Metals

• inspection of welds, fabrications, etc.
  
• field inspection
  
• inspection of load-bearing metal stud framing

Division 06 — Wood, Plastics and Composites

• special lumber grading
  

Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection

• building envelope
  
• inspection of fireproofing and firestopping
  
• roofing inspections (installation and cut tests)

Division 09 — Finishes

• flooring and painting inspections
  
  Division 14 — Conveying Equipment
  
  
• elevator testing and certification
  
  Division 21 — Fire Suppression
  
  
• testing and certification of sprinkler systems
  
  Division 23 — Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  
• air balancing
  
  Division 25 — Integrated Automation
  
  
• testing of controls
  
  Division 26 — Electrical
  
  
• testing of emergency lighting and emergency power supply
  
  Division 27 — Communications
  
  
• testing of communications systems
  
  Division 28 — Electronic Safety and Security
  
  
• verification of fire alarm system
  
  Division 31— Earthwork
  
  
• additional geotechnical reports
  
• soil-bearing capacity
  
• approval of backfilling materials
  
• compaction of soils or fill
  
• load tests on, and inspections of, piles and caissons
  
• inspection of underpinning and shoring
  
• inspection of soil stabilization
  
  Testing of complete systems, such as the building envelope, interior air quality, or integrated electrical and communications systems, may also be required.
  

I) Tarion Bulletin 19