Special Inspection in the Codes and Standards
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In Practice: Special Inspection in the Codes and Standards
There is plenty of guidance on inspecting masonry
construction in the MSJC Code and Specification and the
International Building Code. Even so, looking at a job
should be the jurisdiction of trained inspectors, people who have
taken classes to understand what is expected for each level of testing,
are familiar with the test methods, and who have passed a certification
test. This ensures that they know enough about masonry construction
to perform inspections effectively and efficiently.
Masonry construction is a proven method but building design and
philosophy are constantly changing. One of the significant changes
affecting new masonry in recent years is that design loads (or the
period over which the loads may act) have been modified. So in a
given region, even though an earthquake is no more likely today
than it was during the past, designers have to consider higher magnitude
(earthquake) forces when designing masonry. This means that buildings
must be designed more robustly even though the likelihood of an
earthquake occurring has not changed.
In many parts of the United States, areas now may be considered
to be at a higher level of risk. Even those areas that have traditionally
been at low risk of seismic activity may require buildings be analyzed
for (or built to resist) some earthquake forces. As a result, where
masonry walls once had little or no reinforcement, they more often
have increased quantities of steel and are partially or fully grouted.
 As
part of this increased focus on reinforced masonry, quality assurance
(QA) programs become more important. Inspection is one of the key
activities in QA programs, so it logically follows that inspection
is more important now than previously. Special inspectors are the
people who have the training and knowledge to look at masonry walls
as they are constructed to assure that they are being built according
to plan. Inspectors are trained to look for unobstucted grout spaces,
how to check the placement of reinforcement, and how to test mortar
and grout. They watch over construction as it proceeds to see that
contractors are doing the right things.
 Trained,
qualified inspectors are needed to implement effective inspection
programs. Two aspects of meeting that need are training and certification
of masonry inspectors. Providers of training programs for masonry
inspectors include various local and regional masonry institutes,
and national or international organizations such as The
Masonry Society (TMS). The International
Codes Council (ICC), publisher of the International Building
Code (IBC), also provides a Structural Masonry Special Inspectors
Certification Exam, which is co-sponsored by TMS. For additional
information on availability of masonry inspection training programs
and the Structural Masonry Special Inspectors Certification Exam,
contact TMS
or ICC.
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for more information on masonry, codes, and standards for buildings.
References
Building Code
Requirements for Masonry Structures and Specification for Masonry
Structures and Commentaries, Masonry Standards Joint Committee,
American Concrete Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers,
The Masonry Society, Boulder, Colorado, 2005.
International
Building Code, International Code Council, Whittier, California,
2003. A newer version,
published in 2006, is also available. (Both versions are likely
to be used for the next several years.)
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