Per the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), “Special Inspections are conducted during the construction process to verify that work is being done in accordance to approved plans and specifications, and that Special Inspections must be performed by Special Inspectors on behalf of a Special Inspection Agency.”

Okay, but how do I know when a Special Inspector is needed? When do I bring one onto the project?

To understand the DOB’s policies on Special Inspections, let’s look at Chapter 17 of the Building Code. Any component of a building where the design involves professional engineering or architecture services also requires Special Inspections. In other words, if the DOB requires application approval and a permit, a Special Inspector is also required.

Leave it to the professionals

During the design process, the architect and/or engineer determines what components of the proposed work requires Special Inspections. This list of inspections is included in the construction documents and later included on the appropriate Technical Report forms filed with DOB permit applications. This is when the Special Inspector comes into the project.

As soon as construction plans and a list of required inspections are available, the owner should secure a qualified Special Inspector to perform the inspections.

Some important qualifications to verify include the following:

• The inspector works for a registered Special Inspection agency in New York City.
• The inspection agency is registered for the appropriate class of inspections required by the project scope.
• The inspector meets the DOB qualifications for the required inspections.
• The inspector is a third party and is not involved in the project construction.

Don’t forget the TR forms

Prior to applying for a permit, a Special Inspection agency must sign and seal the necessary Technical Report forms to accept responsibility for the required inspections identified by the design applicant.

The sooner the owner can provide potential Special Inspection agencies with the plans and inspection list, the easier it will be to have a Special Inspector ready to sign the Technical Report forms at the time of permitting.

For any additional questions or comments on Special Inspectors please contact Milrose Consultants.