CCI CCI Quality Control & Assurance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Special Inspection program as defined by the International Building Code?
- To provide independent verification of critical structural and material elements beyond normal code inspections (Correct answer)
- To replace the local building department's inspection schedule
- To verify that subcontractors hold valid licenses
- To document construction progress for the project owner
Correct answer: To provide independent verification of critical structural and material elements beyond normal code inspections
Special Inspections under IBC Chapter 17 provide an independent quality assurance layer for critical elements such as high-strength concrete, structural steel, and soils.
Question 2: What document outlines the specific tests, inspections, and qualifications required for Special Inspections on an IBC project?
- Statement of Special Inspections (SSI) (Correct answer)
- Project specification book Division 1
- Building permit application
- Geotechnical investigation report
Correct answer: Statement of Special Inspections (SSI)
The Statement of Special Inspections is a project-specific document prepared by the design professional that lists all required special inspections and inspector qualifications.
Question 3: What is the difference between continuous and periodic special inspection?
- Continuous inspection requires the inspector to be present at all times during an operation; periodic allows spot checks at defined intervals (Correct answer)
- Continuous inspection applies only to concrete; periodic applies to structural steel
- Periodic inspection is more stringent than continuous inspection
- There is no practical difference between the two designations
Correct answer: Continuous inspection requires the inspector to be present at all times during an operation; periodic allows spot checks at defined intervals
Continuous inspection requires full-time presence during the work being inspected, while periodic inspection allows the inspector to visit and observe at prescribed intervals.
Question 4: What is the inspector's responsibility when a nonconforming condition is discovered during quality control inspection?
- Document the deficiency and issue a nonconformance report, then notify the responsible party and engineer of record (Correct answer)
- Immediately stop all work on the entire project
- Correct the deficiency directly without informing others
- Only report nonconformances at the end of the project
Correct answer: Document the deficiency and issue a nonconformance report, then notify the responsible party and engineer of record
The inspector must document and report nonconformances promptly to allow the engineer of record to evaluate and disposition the deficiency before work continues.
Question 5: Which of the following is the most important characteristic of a quality control inspection record?
- It must be contemporaneous, accurate, and signed by the inspector who performed the inspection (Correct answer)
- It must be typed and formatted in the project's official template
- It must be submitted monthly regardless of inspection frequency
- It only needs to record failing items, not passing inspections
Correct answer: It must be contemporaneous, accurate, and signed by the inspector who performed the inspection
Inspection records must be made at the time of inspection (contemporaneous) and signed by the inspector to be legally defensible and reliable documentation.
Question 6: When reviewing mix design submittals for high-strength concrete, what minimum compressive strength documentation must the inspector verify is included?
- Field or trial batch test data demonstrating the mix achieves the required f'c with required statistical confidence (Correct answer)
- Only the water-cement ratio listed on the mix design
- The concrete supplier's verbal assurance of strength
- A stamped approval from the concrete truck driver
Correct answer: Field or trial batch test data demonstrating the mix achieves the required f'c with required statistical confidence
ACI 318 and IBC require mix design submittals to include test data showing the proposed mix achieves the specified strength with the required statistical margin of safety.
CCI CCI Quality Control & Assurance 1
What is the primary purpose of a Special Inspection program as defined by the International Building Code?