Structural Steel Inspection

TMG provides special inspection of structural steel, welding, and bolted connections under the International Building Code (IBC), Chapter 17, and the project's Statement of Special Inspections (SSI) — in the shop during fabrication and in the field during erection. Each report anchors its findings to a specific code clause, with photo evidence and drawing references, under the SCWI / ICC MSI / ASNT Level III credential line.

TMG's role on a project is observation and reporting. Authority to accept or reject work rests with the owner or the owner's designated representative. TMG does not direct contractor means, methods, or sequencing.

What does IBC Chapter 17 special inspection cover for steel?

IBC Section 1705.2 requires special inspection of structural steel construction in accordance with the quality assurance provisions of AISC 360 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, Chapter N. In practice, that scope covers verification of fabricator and erector documents, material identification against mill test reports, weld inspection before / during / after welding, high-strength bolting inspection, and inspection of steel elements of composite construction. The project's SSI, prepared by the registered design professional, defines which items apply and whether each is periodic or continuous. TMG reviews the SSI at the proposal stage and prices the inspection program against it, so the owner sees the scope before fabrication begins.

Shop inspection during fabrication

Fabrication-shop inspection covers fit-up and joint preparation, in-process and completed welds against AWS D1.1 — Structural Welding Code – Steel, Table 8.1, bolt-hole quality, member geometry and camber against the shop drawings, and surface preparation and coating checks where included in the SSI. Where the fabricator is AISC-certified and the AHJ has approved reduced shop inspection under IBC Section 1704.2.5.1, TMG documents that approval and adjusts the program accordingly — shop-inspection dollars go where the code actually calls for them.

Field inspection during erection

Field-erection inspection covers member placement against the erection drawings, field-welded connections — moment frames, field splices, embedded plates, and connections at braced frames — anchor rods and embedments, and metal deck attachment where included in the SSI. Observations are reported per visit, with discrepancies identified in writing and routed to the Engineer of Record (EOR) for resolution.

High-strength bolting inspection

Bolted-connection inspection follows the RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts — pre-installation verification testing (including Skidmore-Wilhelm calibration, for which TMG carries current certification), snug-tight verification, and pretensioned and slip-critical installation by turn-of-nut, direct tension indicator, or twist-off bolt methods, as the connection design requires. Faying-surface condition and bolt, nut, and washer markings are checked against the approved submittals.

Who hires the special inspector?

Under IBC Section 1704.2, the owner — or the registered design professional in responsible charge acting as the owner's agent — employs the special inspector. The special inspector answers to the owner and the building official, not to the contractor whose work is being observed. That independence is the point of the requirement, and it is how TMG engages: retained by owners, engineers, and their agents, with reports distributed to the owner, the EOR, and the AHJ as the project directs.

Related NDT on structural steel

Where the SSI or AISC 341 seismic provisions call for nondestructive testing — ultrasonic testing of complete-joint- penetration groove welds is the common case — TMG performs UT, MT, and PT in-house under ASNT SNT-TC-1A, with ASNT Level III oversight on UT and MT. One firm covers the visual inspection and the NDT, so scheduling and reporting stay coordinated. See nondestructive testing for method details.

Engagement

Special-inspection programs are priced by day rate, per-visit call-out fee, or Time-and-Materials, tied to the fabrication and erection schedule. Fixed-fee scopes are available for bounded work — single shop visits and finite bolting or welding campaigns. TMG serves Florida and the Southeast. See welding consulting, frequently asked questions, or the contact page to request a proposal.