1704.3 - Steel construction

The special inspections for steel elements of buildings and structures shall be as required by Section 1704.3 and Table 1704.3.

Exceptions:

1. Special inspection of the steel fabrication process shall not be required where the fabricator does not perform any welding, thermal cutting or heating operation of any kind as part of the fabrication process. In such cases, the fabricator shall be required to submit a detailed procedure for material control that demonstrates the fabricator's ability to maintain suitable records and procedures such that, at any time during the fabrication process, the material specification, grade and mill test reports for the main stress-carrying elements are capable of being determined.

2. The special inspector need not be continuously present during welding of the following items, provided the materials, welding procedures and qualifications of welders are verified prior to the start of the work; periodic inspections are made of the work in progress and a visual inspection of all welds is made prior to completion or prior to shipment of shop welding.

2.1. Single-pass fillet welds not exceeding ⁵/₁₆ inch (7.9 mm) in size.

2.2. Floor and roof deck welding.

2.3. Welded studs when used for structural diaphragm.

2.4. Welded sheet steel for cold-formed steel members.

2.5. Welding of stairs and railing systems.

TABLE 1704.3 REQUIRED VERIFICATION AND INSPECTION OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

VERIFICATION AND INSPECTION	CONTINUOUS	PERIODIC	REFERENCED STANDARDa	IBC REFERENCE
1. Material verification of high-strength bolts, nuts and washers:
a. Identification markings to conform to ASTM standards specified in the approved construction documents.	-	X	AISC 360, Section A3.3 and applicable ASTM material standards
b. Manufacturer's certificate of compliance required.	-	X	-	-
2. Inspection of high-strength bolting:
a. Snug-tight joints.	-	X	AISC 360, Section M2.5	1704.3.3
b. Pretensioned and slip-critical joints using turn-of-nut with matchmarking, twist-off bolt or direct tension indicator methods of installation.	-	X
c. Pretensioned and slip-critical joints using turn-of-nut without matchmarking or calibrated wrench methods of installation.	X	-
3. Material verification of structural steel and cold-formed steel deck:
a. For structural steel, identification markings to conform to AISC 360.	-	X	AISC 360, Section M5.5
b. For other steel, identification markings to conform to ASTM standards specified in the approved construction documents.	-	X	Applicable ASTM material standards
c. Manufacturer's certified test reports.	-	X
4. Material verification of weld filler materials:
a. Identification markings to conform to AWS specification in the approved construction documents.	-	X	AISC 360, Section A3.5 and applicable AWS A5 documents	-
b. Manufacturer's certificate of compliance required.	-	X	-	-
5. Inspection of welding:
a. Structural steel and cold-formed steel deck:
1) Complete and partial joint penetration groove welds.	X	-	AWS D1.1	1704.3.1
2) Multipass fillet welds.	X	-
3) Single-pass fillet welds > 5/16"	X	-
4) Plug and slot welds.	X	-
5) Single-pass fillet welds <= 5/16"	-	X
6) Floor and roof deck welds.	-	X	AWS D1.3
b. Reinforcing steel:	-
1) Verification of weldability of reinforcing steel other than ASTM A 706.		-	X	AWS D1.4 ACI 318:Section 3.5.2
2) Reinforcing steel resisting flexural and axial forces in intermediate and special moment frames, and boundary elements of special structural walls of concrete and shear reinforcement.		X	-
3) Shear reinforcement.		X	-
4) Other reinforcing steel.		-	X
6. Inspection of steel frame joint details for compliance:
a. Details such as bracing and stiffening.	-	X	-	1704.3.2
b. Member locations.	-	X
c. Application of joint details at each connection.	-	X

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm. a. Where applicable, see also Section 1707.1, Special inspection for seismic resistance.

1704.3.1 Welding. Welding inspection and welding inspector qualification shall be in accordance with this section.

1704.3.1.1 Structural steel. Welding inspection and welding inspector qualification for structural steel shall be in accordance with AWS D1.1.

1704.3.1.2 Cold-formed steel. Welding inspection and welding inspector qualification for cold-formed steel floor and roof decks shall be in accordance with AWS D1.3.

1704.3.1.3 Reinforcing steel. Welding inspection and welding inspector qualification for reinforcing steel shall be in accordance with AWS D1.4 and ACI 318.

1704.3.2 Details. The special inspector shall perform an inspection of the steel frame to verify compliance with the details shown on the approved construction documents, such as bracing, stiffening, member locations and proper application of joint details at each connection.

1704.3.3 High-strength bolts. Installation of high-strength bolts shall be inspected in accordance with AISC 360.

1704.3.3.1 General. While the work is in progress, the special inspector shall determine that the requirements for bolts, nuts, washers and paint; bolted parts and installation and tightening in such standards are met. For bolts requiring pretensioning, the special inspector shall observe the preinstallation testing and calibration procedures when such procedures are required by the installation method or by project plans or specifications; determine that all plies of connected materials have been drawn together and properly snugged and monitor the installation of bolts to verify that the selected procedure for installation is properly used to tighten bolts. For joints required to be tightened only to the snug-tight condition, the special inspector need only verify that the connected materials have been drawn together and properly snugged.

1704.3.3.2 Periodic monitoring. Monitoring of bolt installation for pretensioning is permitted to be performed on a periodic basis when using the turn-of-nut method with matchmarking techniques, the direct tension indicator method or the alternate design fastener (twist-off bolt) method. Joints designated as snug tight need be inspected only on a periodic basis.

1704.3.3.3 Continuous monitoring. Monitoring of bolt installation for pretensioning using the calibrated wrench method or the turn-of-nut method without matchmarking shall be performed on a continuous basis.

1704.3.4 Cold-formed steel trusses spanning 60 feet or greater. Where a cold-formed steel truss clear span is 60 feet (18 288 mm) or greater, the special inspector shall verify that the temporary installation restraint/bracing and the permanent individual truss member restraint/bracing are installed in accordance with the approved truss submittal package.

Notes