SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "Special Inspection Requirements — Types, Triggers, and Qualified Inspectors", "source": "SF Building Inspection Commission Code (SFBICC) Section 1701-1706, CBC Chapter 17, AB-046", "date_structured": "2026-02-26", "authority": "SF Department of Building Inspection", "gap_resolved": "GAP-13", "notes": [ "Special inspections are required in addition to regular DBI inspections for specific construction activities", "Special inspectors must be approved by DBI and are hired/paid by the building owner", "Special inspection reports must be filed with DBI before final inspection approval", "Failure to obtain required special inspections can result in stop-work order and permit revocation", "Statement of Special Inspections (SSI) form required at plan check for projects requiring special inspections" ] }, "when_required": { "general_triggers": [ "Structural steel construction (all welded or bolted connections)", "Cast-in-place concrete (footings, slabs, walls, columns, beams)", "Masonry construction (all types)", "Wood construction with engineered connections (hold-downs, shear walls)", "Soils and foundations (deep foundations, ground improvement)", "Sprayed fire-resistive materials (fireproofing)", "Seismic-force-resisting systems", "Smoke control systems", "Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)", "Special moment frames and braced frames" ], "cost_threshold": "Generally required for projects with structural work regardless of cost", "exemptions": [ "Work of a minor nature per Building Official determination", "Construction using conventional light-frame wood per CBC Section 2308 (some inspections still required)", "Projects where the Building Official determines special inspection is not needed based on scope" ] }, "inspection_types": { "structural_steel": { "category": "Structural Steel", "cbc_section": "1705.2", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Welding (all types: complete joint penetration, partial, fillet)", "High-strength bolt installation (pretensioned and slip-critical)", "Steel fabrication shop operations (when required by engineer of record)", "Steel erection and connection assembly", "Metal deck attachment" ], "qualified_inspector": "AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) for welding; ICC Special Inspector for bolting", "frequency": "Continuous for welding of primary structural members; periodic for bolting", "documentation": "Daily inspection reports, NDT (ultrasonic, radiographic) test results for CJP welds" }, "concrete": { "category": "Concrete Construction", "cbc_section": "1705.3", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Reinforcing steel placement (size, spacing, cover, lap splices, ties)", "Concrete placement (slump testing, air content, temperature)", "Prestressed concrete operations (stressing, grouting)", "Post-installed anchors (adhesive and mechanical)", "Shotcrete placement" ], "qualified_inspector": "ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Level I or ICC Special Inspector", "frequency": "Continuous during concrete placement; periodic for reinforcement inspection", "documentation": "Concrete mix design approval, cylinder break reports (7-day and 28-day), rebar inspection reports" }, "masonry": { "category": "Masonry Construction", "cbc_section": "1705.4", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Mortar and grout proportioning and mixing", "Placement of masonry units", "Reinforcement placement and grouting", "Prestressed masonry", "Masonry veneer anchoring" ], "qualified_inspector": "ICC Special Inspector — Structural Masonry", "frequency": "Continuous for grouting operations; periodic for unit placement", "documentation": "Mortar/grout compressive strength test results, prism test results" }, "wood_construction": { "category": "Wood Construction", "cbc_section": "1705.5", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "High-load diaphragm nailing patterns", "Metal connector hardware installation (hold-downs, straps, ties)", "Engineered wood products installation (glulam, LVL, I-joists)", "Cross-laminated timber (CLT) connections", "Wood shear wall construction" ], "qualified_inspector": "ICC Special Inspector — Structural Wood", "frequency": "Periodic — typically at critical connection points before concealment", "documentation": "Connection verification reports, nail pattern verification" }, "soils_and_foundations": { "category": "Soils and Foundations", "cbc_section": "1705.6", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Soil verification during excavation (bearing capacity confirmation)", "Pile driving (blow counts, penetration depths)", "Drilled shaft / caisson installation", "Grade beam and mat foundation placement", "Soil compaction testing for fill", "Ground improvement (soil nails, micropiles, jet grouting)" ], "qualified_inspector": "Licensed Geotechnical Engineer or Certified Soils Special Inspector", "frequency": "Continuous during pile driving; periodic during excavation and fill", "documentation": "Geotechnical reports, pile driving logs, compaction test results, bearing verification" }, "welding": { "category": "Welding (Non-Structural)", "cbc_section": "1705.2.1", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Reinforcing bar welding (tack welds prohibited without engineering approval)", "Metal stud welding to structural elements", "Seismic brace welding" ], "qualified_inspector": "AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)", "frequency": "Continuous during welding operations", "documentation": "Welder certifications (WPS/PQR), daily welding inspection reports" }, "fire_resistant_materials": { "category": "Sprayed Fire-Resistive Materials (SFRM)", "cbc_section": "1705.14", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Surface preparation before application", "Application thickness verification", "Density and bond strength testing", "Patching after damage from other trades" ], "qualified_inspector": "ICC Special Inspector — Spray-Applied Fireproofing", "frequency": "Periodic — at start of each application area and random sampling", "documentation": "Thickness measurements, adhesion/cohesion test results, manufacturer compliance" }, "smoke_control": { "category": "Smoke Control Systems", "cbc_section": "1705.18", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Smoke control system installation verification", "Commissioning and functional testing", "Interface with fire alarm system" ], "qualified_inspector": "Qualified mechanical engineer or ICC-certified special inspector", "frequency": "At system commissioning", "documentation": "Commissioning report, test results, system documentation for Fire Department" }, "seismic_systems": { "category": "Seismic-Force-Resisting Systems", "cbc_section": "1705.13", "activities_requiring_inspection": [ "Special moment frame connections", "Buckling-restrained brace installation", "Base isolator installation", "Damper device installation and testing", "Designated seismic system anchorage" ], "qualified_inspector": "Varies by system — typically structural steel or concrete special inspector", "frequency": "Continuous for critical connections; periodic for anchorage", "documentation": "Connection inspection reports, device certification, test results" } }, "who_can_perform": { "approval_authority": "SF Department of Building Inspection (Building Official)", "requirements": [ "Must be approved by DBI prior to performing inspections", "Must hold relevant ICC certification or professional license", "Must demonstrate competency in the specific type of inspection", "Must be independent of the contractor performing the work (conflict of interest prohibition)" ], "common_certifications": [ { "certification": "AWS CWI (Certified Welding Inspector)", "covers": "Structural steel welding, rebar welding" }, { "certification": "ICC Structural Steel and Bolting Special Inspector", "covers": "Structural steel connections, high-strength bolting" }, { "certification": "ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector", "covers": "Concrete placement, reinforcement, post-installed anchors" }, { "certification": "ICC Structural Masonry Special Inspector", "covers": "Masonry construction, grouting" }, { "certification": "ICC Structural Wood Special Inspector", "covers": "Wood connections, shear walls, engineered wood" }, { "certification": "ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician", "covers": "Concrete sampling and testing (cylinders, slump, air)" }, { "certification": "Licensed Geotechnical Engineer (California PE)", "covers": "Soils verification, foundation inspection, pile driving" } ], "hiring": "Owner is responsible for hiring and paying special inspectors. Cost is not part of permit fees.", "liability": "Special inspector is liable for the accuracy of their inspections and reports" }, "statement_of_special_inspections": { "form": "Statement of Special Inspections (SSI)", "when_required": "Must be submitted at plan check for all projects requiring special inspections", "prepared_by": "Registered Design Professional (architect or engineer of record)", "contents": [ "List of all required special inspections by type", "Identification of qualified special inspection agencies", "Schedule of inspections (when in construction sequence)", "Reference to applicable code sections", "Signature of registered design professional" ], "final_report": { "title": "Final Report of Special Inspections", "when_submitted": "Before final inspection by DBI", "must_state": "All required special inspections have been completed and all work was found to be in compliance", "signed_by": "Special inspector(s) and registered design professional" } }, "sf_specific_requirements": { "seismic_retrofit": "Soft-story retrofit (AB-083) and UMB retrofit programs have specific special inspection requirements defined in the retrofit standards", "high_rise": "High-rise buildings (75+ ft) have enhanced special inspection requirements per SFBC amendments", "historic_buildings": "Work on Article 10/11 buildings may require additional inspection coordination with historic preservation staff", "ab_046": "AB-046 provides DBI-specific guidance on special inspection administration and reporting requirements" } }