HomeMy WebLinkAboutStructural Observation Procedures 2019Page 1 of 1
CITY OF PALM DESERT
Building & Safety Department
73-510 Fred Waring, Palm Desert, CA (760) 776-6420
PROCEDURES FOR STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION
AND SPECIAL INSPECTION
1. Submission of the Inspection and Observation Program
CBC Section 1704 provides that when special inspection or structural observation is required, an Inspection and
Observation Program shall be submitted by the architect or engineer of record for approval prior to issuance of the
building permit.
Information of the program shall be provided on the forms prescribed by each jurisdiction. (See Structural Observation
Program form) The program shall specify the items of work that require special inspection or structural observation,
names of the special inspectors and structural observer of record and stages of construction at which structural
observation is to occur.
All seismic resisting elements of the structural system shall be included in the scope of structural observation, if structural
observation is required per Section 1705.13.3. If structural observation is required it is up to the engineer or architect of
record to designate the structural elements that need to be observed. Nothing should preclude the engineer or architect
of record from including non-seismic resisting elements in the scope of structural observation.
The Inspection and Observation Program shall be made a part of the approved plans, and be placed in a conspicuous
location such as on the first page of the plans or the first page of structural plans. Substitution of special inspectors or
the structural observer subsequent to issuance of the permit may be processed as a revision to the approved plans.
2. The “Structural Observer of Record” and Persons who Perform the Structural Observation
The individual or firm who is responsible for the structural observation may be called the “Structural Observer of Record”
for the project. Per CBC Section 1705.13.3, a structural observer of record must meet all the following three conditions:
a. Be a person or firm registered in California to practice engineering or architecture.
b. Have a direct contractual relationship with the owner to provide the structural observation service.
c. Be either the engineer or architect of record for the structural design, or another engineer or architect designated
by the engineer or architect of record.
The person who actually performs structural observation in the field may be either the Structural Observer of Record or
an engineer or architect under the responsible control of the Structural Observer of Record.
3. Submission of Structural Observation or Special Inspection Reports
The Structural Observer of Record is responsible for submitting the observation report as required by Section 1705.13.3.
The person who actually performs the observation may fill out a draft report, noting any observed deficiencies. The draft
report shall be reviewed, completed, stamped and signed by the Structural Observer of Record, who takes the
responsibility for the report. Whenever a structural observation is performed by someone other than the Structural
Observer of Record, that person’s name and professional registration number shall be identified in the report.
Deficiencies observed must be reported in writing to the owner’s representative, relevant special inspectors, the
contractor and the building official. Whether or not any deficiency is observed, a structural observation report shall be
submitted to the building official at each significant construction stage as designated in the Inspection & Observation
Program. The jurisdiction’s inspection approval at those stages shall not occur before receiving the report. To facilitate
the construction process, an inspector may conditionally approve an inspection based on a draft report prepared by the
structural observed in the field, pending on submission of the report stamped and signed by the Structural Observer of
Record.
1/31/2020