TL;DR
A special inspection is third-party verification of critical structural work, such as high-strength concrete, post-installed anchors, welding, masonry, or deep foundations, performed by a qualified agency hired by the owner, as required under IBC Chapter 17. It runs parallel to, not instead of, the municipal inspector's visits, with the agency filing reports to the building official.
What it means
A special inspection is third-party verification of critical structural work, such as high-strength concrete, post-installed anchors, welding, masonry, or deep foundations, performed by a qualified agency hired by the owner, as required under IBC Chapter 17. It runs parallel to, not instead of, the municipal inspector's visits, with the agency filing reports to the building official. On residential projects it appears mainly with engineered retaining walls, helical piers, and structural retrofits where the design engineer specifies it.
Where it sits in the glossary
Special inspection is part of the Permits group inside the ProFix Directory glossary. Browse every term in this category from the glossary index.
Why Ohio homeowners should know it
This is a term Ohio homeowners encounter when reading contractor quotes, hiring paperwork, or inspection reports. Understanding it well enough to ask one good follow-up question is usually all the protection a homeowner needs.
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