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Welcome to the City of Simi Valley, Building and Safety Division.  As a special inspector working in this City, you will be expected to maintain an exceptional level of professionalism.  Part of this professionalism are your duties and responsibilities to the Building Official, project owner, engineer, architect and yourself.

• Purpose of Special Inspection
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Project Owner
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Engineer and Architect
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Contractor
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Building Official
• Duties and Responsibilities of the Special Inspector

PURPOSE OF SPECIAL INSPECTION

Special inspection is the monitoring of the materials and workmanship which are critical to the integrity of the building structure.  It involves the reviewing of all work performed by the contractors and their employees, to assure that the approved plans, specifications, and ordinances are being observed.  The special inspection process is in addition to the regular inspections conducted by city building inspector, site engineer, and architect as part of the periodic structural observations.  The special inspector shall furnish continuous inspections at all times, or as the construction requires their presence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PROJECT OWNER

The project owner, or the engineer or architect acting as the owner's agent, is responsible for the funding of special inspection services that are required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT

The architect and/or engineer's duties and responsibilities related to special inspection activities include the following:

• Identify the need for special inspection services;
• Develop the structural tests, inspection schedule, and acknowledge the testing and inspection agreement;
• Recommend and assist in the selection of special inspectors; and,
• Respond to field discrepancies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CONTRACTOR

The contractor's duties and responsibilities are as follows:

• Is responsible for notifying the special inspector when inspections are needed or required;
• The approved plans shall be accessible to the special inspector at all times; and,
• All special inspection records shall be maintained at the job site and available for review by the building inspector, architect, and engineer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL

The Building Official, or designated representative, are the only ones who have the legal authority to approve, change, or alter any of the provisions of special inspection process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR

The duties and responsibilities of the special inspectors are as follows:

• Acknowledge the testing and inspection agreement, structural test, and inspection schedule, as required;
• Notify the contractor and Building and Safety when present at jobsite;
• Observe all work as stated on the approved plans;
• Separately identify all nonconforming work and notify the engineer/architect and Building Official;
• Provide daily field reports on approved form; and,
• Submit the final report of compliance on approved form.

Along with these requirements, every special inspector working in the City must be approved by the Building Official.  All inspectors are required to provide proof that they meet the minimum qualifications.  This can be achieved by showing proof that they are certified by International Conference of Building Officials, the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, or any pre-approved testing laboratory.

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