CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION HANDBOOK 110204

CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION HANDBOOK(360 FW 4)August 2004DIVISION OF ENGINEERINGU. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS1.0PageINTRODUCTION. 1-11.1 Purpose and Scope . 1-11.2 General. 1-21.3 Guidelines for Construction Inspectors and Field Inspectors . 1-31.4 Authority and Training Requirements for Inspection Personnel . 1-51.5 Preliminary Preparations. 1-61.6 Value Engineering. 1-71.7 Barrier-free Accessibility . 1-72.0FIELD ADMINISTRATION. 2-12.1 General. 2-12.2 Inspector’s Daily Logs . 2-12.3 Project Log Book (Field Diaries - Optional Procedures) . 2-32.4 Photographs and Videotape for Record Purposes. 2-52.5 Project Inspector Files. 2-62.6 Special Reports. 2-62.7 Substantial Completion Reports (Beneficial Occupancy) . 2-82.8 Final Inspection Report. 2-82.9 Final Acceptance Memorandum . 2-82.10 Safety Reports . 2-82.11 As-Built Drawings. 2-82.12 Payment to Contractor . 2-93.0TECHNICAL INSPECTION . 3-13.1 General. 3-13.2 Earthwork, Embankments, Trenching and Grading (CSI Division 2). 3-13.3 Soil Treatment for Termites (CSI Division 2) . 3-63.4 Utilities (CSI Division 2). 3-63.5 Concrete (CSI Division 3). 3-73.6 Lightweight Concrete (CSI Division 3) . 3-11

TABLE OF CONTENTS(continued)Page3.7 Stucco (CSI Division 9). 3-123.8 Masonry (CSI Division 4). 3-143.9 Structural Steel (CSI Division 5) . 3-153.10 Steel Doors and Frames (CSI Division 8) . 3-173.12 Asphalt Shingle Roofs (CSI Division 7) . 3-193.13 Sheet Metal Roofing (CSI Division 7) . 3-203.14 Standing Seam Metal Roof (CSI Division 7) . 3-223.15 Ceramic and Quarry Tile (CSI Division 9). 3-233.16 Resilient Floor Covering/Tile (CSI Division 9) . 3-243.17 Carpentry and Millwork (CSI Division 6). 3-253.18 Insulation Material (CSI Division 7) . 3-313.19 Acoustical Treatment (CSI Division 9) . 3-313.20 Drywall Finish (CSI Division 9). 3-323.21 Glass and Glazing (CSI Division 8) . 3-333.22 Hardware (CSI Division 8). 3-333.23 Painting (CSI Division 9). 3-343.24 Electrical Work - Interior (CSI Division 16). 3-353.25 Electrical Work - Exterior (CSI Division 16) . 3-373.26 Plumbing (CSI Division 15). 3-373.27 Heating, All Types (CSI Division 15) . 3-413.28 Ventilation Systems (CSI Division 15) . 3-473.29 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (CSI Division 15) . 3-493.31 Gas Distribution (CSI Division 15). 3-553.32 Roads (CSI Division 2) . 3-583.33 Bituminous Prime Coat (CSI Division 2). 3-613.34 Hot-Mix Asphaltic Concrete and Bituminous Road Mix Surface Course. 3-62(CSI Division 2). 3-624.0SAFETY. 4-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS(continued)Page4.1 Purpose. 4-14.2 General. 4-14.3 Accident/Incident (Reporting and Investigating) . 4-34.4 Training . 4-34.5 Compliance with Federal, State and Local Laws. 4-44.6 Safety Guidelines. 4-45.0FINAL INSPECTION . 5-15.1 General. 5-15.2 Scheduling the Final Inspection. 5-15.3 Pre-Final Inspection. 5-16.0LABOR RELATIONS. 6-16.1 General. 6-16.2 Labor Standards Interviews . 6-16.3 Violations of Labor Standards Provisions. 6-17.0EXHIBITS . 7-1Exhibit 7.1. Inspector’s Daily Log. 7-1Exhibit 7.2. Punch List. 7-2Exhibit 7.3. Labor Standards Interview Form. . 7-3Exhibit 7.4. Notification Letter about Unsafe Conditions. . 7-4Exhibit 7.5. Time and Materials Report. 7-5Exhibit 7.6. Time and Materials Worksheet. . 7-6Exhibit 7.7. Pre-Construction Safety Checklist. . 7-77.8 Inspector Appointment Letter and Attachments. 7-14Exhibit 7.8. Appointment Letter. . 7-15Attachment 1, Example 1. Framing Background Information and Training. . 7-17Attachment 1, Example 2. Concrete Reinforcement Background Information andTraining. 7-19Attachment 1, Example 3. Earthwork Background Information and Training. . 7-20

TABLE OF CONTENTS(continued)PageAttachment 2, Example 1. Framing Checklist. 7-21Attachment 2, Example 2. Concrete Reinforcement Checklist. 7-22Attachment 2, Example 3. Earthwork Checklist. 7-23Attachment 3. Inspector’s Daily Log Instructions. . 7-25

1.0INTRODUCTION1.1Purpose and ScopeThe purpose of this Handbook is to provide instruction and guidance to the ContractingOfficer’s Representative (COR), Construction Inspector (CI), and Field Inspector (FI) intheir daily activities. It may also be used as a guide in matters not covered by contractspecifications, regulations, and other directives. However, it does not replace or modifyany of the clauses or provisions of a construction contract. The term COR/CI/FI in thisHandbook refers to the individual(s) responsible for ensuring Contractor compliance withcontract terms and conditions.Project inspection is provided to ensure that the Contractor’s work complies with thecontract requirements. Many details of construction are not specifically covered in thespecifications and are optional with the Contractor. The COR/CI/FI must verify thatproper practices are followed and guard against use of unsatisfactory materials or faultymethods.Inspection is one of the most important elements of construction and contractadministration. Good engineering design and properly prepared plans and specificationsare essential for a quality end product. However, ensuring that specifications anddrawings are adhered to depends largely on the COR/CI/FI. This is especially true oflarger, more complex projects such as general building construction, which involvesfield-made products whose quality is dependent on use of satisfactory materials andworkmanship.The frequency and method by which a construction project is inspected by theCOR/CI/FI depends upon the project’s complexity and the construction codes (seeSection 4.5). However, the lack of project inspections due to personnel or fundinglimitations does not relieve the contractor of compliance with applicable standards/requirements at all times. This Handbook has been prepared to guide inspection activitiesfrom initial assignment of the COR/CI/FI through completion of the project.In FY 2003, a multi-regional, interdisciplinary team studied the field inspection processand developed further guidance and training resources for inspectors at field stations toensure high quality construction of Service facilities. Subsequently, Director’s Order 171,Field Station Support of Construction, provided guidance on using field station personnelas inspectors in support of construction projects. These procedures have beenincorporated in the August 2004 update of this Handbook. The term “Field Inspector(FI)” refers to field station personnel who serve as construction representatives andperform inspection and observation activities on behalf of a Regional Contracting Officeror construction project manager. The FI’s duties and responsibilities are specified inHandbook Section 1.2 and the training requirements for FI’s are specified in Section 1.4.The training materials referenced (see the Division of Engineering intranet site at1-1

http://sii.fws.gov/r9eng) will help to ensure a higher quality of completed constructionprojects. In addition, detailed guidance and procedures for inspection of generalearthwork, concrete form construction, and framing projects have been provided inapplicable sections of Chapter 3.1.2GeneralDetailed definitions of the Contracting Officer (CO), Contracting Officer’sRepresentative (COR), Construction Inspector (CI ) and Field Inspector (FI) are found in360 FW 4. The CO officially appoints a Service employee as the COR, also called theproject manager, to accept or reject a construction contractor’s work and to providetechnical/administrative project support throughout the contract administration process.The CI is a professionally trained Service employee (or contracted inspector) who servesas the Government’s inspector or site representative on large complex projects (e.g.,visitor centers, large dikes, and dams) to ensure that all construction complies withcontract requirements. On smaller, straightforward projects, the COR/CI may direct fieldstation personnel to observe and monitor construction activities. These designatedpersonnel are referred to as FI’s and perform inspections on such construction activitiesas building framing, concrete work, and earthwork/excavation. The CO appoints the CIand FI in writing before construction begins.A.Responsibilities and Duties1.The COR/CI/FI is responsible for:a.Ensuring that all construction activities comply with contractrequirements and work is performed in accordance with goodconstruction practices.b.Verifying that materials and equipment incorporated into theproject meet contract requirements.c.Monitoring contract labor requirements.d.Providing adequate and accurate reports.e.Ensuring that applicable construction safety standards are met.f.Verifying that approved Contractor submittals are available beforework is performed.g.Verifying that actual construction progress agrees with approvedprogress schedules.1-2

1.3h.Notifying the Historic Preservation Officer immediately ifunanticipated archeological materials are encountered duringconstruction so that appropriate action may be taken to preservesuch materials.i.Monitoring contract compliance with appropriate FederalAcquisition Regulations (FAR).2.The project COR from the responsible Engineering Office acts as liaisonamong the CI/FI, the Engineering Office (or architectural/engineeringfirm) and the CO. Due to this single channel of communication, all otherofficial reporting between the field and other sections can be eliminated.3.No Service employee may instruct the Contractor, or the Contractor’semployee regarding how or when to perform work required by thecontract. The COR/CI/FI are responsible for ensuring that the Service getswhat it contracted for, but are not responsible for directing the work of theContractor.4.Only the CO is authorized to modify the contract. Such changes will beaccomplished by a written modification from the CO. The CI/FI isresponsible for notifying the COR immediately if an unauthorizedemployee orders a change in the contract. As a means of expeditingchanges and precluding possible delays, the CO may verbally direct theContractor to proceed with a change pending issuance of a formal writtenmodification.Guidelines for Construction Inspectors and Field InspectorsA.Following are guidelines that apply to duties and responsibilities of theCOR/CI/FI:1.Know the plans and specifications, and enforce them.2.Know the specific instructions given by the CO or the COR.3.When relieving another Inspector, check on the status of work and anyspecial instructions. Pass on pertinent and current information to the CI/FIsucceeding you.4.Report promptly to the COR any conditions that differ from those inproject plans and specifications.5.Report all unsafe practices to the COR and advise immediately of anyaccidents.1-3