Masonry Magazine January 2001 Page. 27
MSJC CODE TABLE 1.14.1.1 - Level 1 Quality Assurance
| MINIMUM TESTS & SUBMITTALS | MINIMUM INSPECTION |
|---|---|
| Certificates for materials used in masonry construction indicating compliance with the contract documents | Verify compliance with the approved submittals |
MSJC CODE TABLE 1.14.1.2 - Level 2 Quality Assurance
| MINIMUM TESTS & SUBMITTALS | MINIMUM INSPECTION |
|---|---|
| Certificates for materials used in masonry construction indicating compliance with the contract documents
Verification of f prior to construction, except where specifically exempted by this Code | As masonry construction begins, verify the following are in compliance:
• proportions of site-prepared mortar
• construction of mortar joints
• location of reinforcement and connectors
Prior to grouting, verify the following are in compliance:
• grout space
• placement of reinforcement & connectors
• proportions of site-prepared grout
• construction of mortar joints
Verify grout placement is in compliance
Observe preparation of grout specimens, mortar specimens, and/or prisms
Verify compliance with the required inspection provisions of the contract documents and the approved submittals |
MSJC CODE TABLE 1.14.1.3 - Level 3 Quality Assurance
| MINIMUM TESTS & SUBMITTALS | MINIMUM INSPECTION |
|---|---|
| Certificates for materials used in masonry construction indi- cating compliance with the contract documents
Verification of f
• prior to construction
• every 5000 sq. ft (464.5 m²) during construction
Verification of proportions of materials in mortar and grout as delivered to the site | From the beginning of masonry constrution and continuously during construction of masonry, verify the following are in compliance:
• proportions of site-mixed mortar & grout
• placing of masonry units & construction of mortar joints
• placement of reinforcement & connectors
• grout space prior to grouting
• placement of grout
Observe preparation of grout specimens, mortar specimens, and/or prisms
Verify compliance with the required inspection provisions of the contract docu ments and the approved submittals. |
Let's discuss the confusing things first. The IBC separates testing and submittal requirements from the inspection requirements. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 testing and submittal requirements are provided in IBC Tables 1708.1.1, 1708.1.2, and 1708.1.4, respectively, and are not shown in this article since they are nearly identical to "Minimum Tests and Submittals" provisions (left column) of the MSJC tables. The inspection requirements are shown in IBC 1704.5, and here is where confusion can occur.
The IBC elected to drop the Level 1 inspection requirements from the MSJC because they were considered so minor. They, therefore renumbered, the remaining requirements so that the Level 2 Inspection in the MSJC became the basis for the Level 1 IBC Inspection Requirements. Similarly, the Level 3 MSJC Inspection requirements became the basis for the Level 2 IBC Inspection requirements. Unfortunately, the different designations have created great confusion as to which Level 1 or 2 provisions are being required. There has been some consideration of redesignating the inspection levels to eliminate the confusion, but until that happens it is critically important to clearly state whether the inspection level is to conform to the MSJC requirements or the IBC requirements. And remember, the confusion is made worse, because by deleting the lowest level of inspection, a project complying with the IBC may require Level 2 Testing, but Level 1 Inspection.
While the Level 1 IBC requirements closely parallels Level 2 MSJC Requirements there are some important differences. The IBC has added some very useful reference criteria so that inspectors, contractors and engineers can quickly find out more about the items to be inspected. These references are quite handy, and we would hope that the MSJC consider similar modifications. Unfortunately it does appear that some references in the IBC tables are in error as they refer to the 1995 MSJC, not the 1999 MSJC. The authors have shown proposed revisions to the tables in strikeout/ underline format. Readers are advised however, to review these references themselves to verify they are appropriate.
The IBC also added columns to describe the frequency of inspection to try to clarify the terms continuous and periodic inspection that have been used in many areas. Now it is very clear that continuous does not imply that the inspector must be on the job site every moment during the masonry construction process, but rather continuously during specific tasks, i.e. during the placement of the grout. By contrast, the inspector only needs to periodically observe many tasks such as the construction of mortar joints. Again, this is very helpful in defining the extent to which inspection must be provided, and it helps reduce the cost of inspection since the inspector often does not need to be on the jobsite fulltime.
The last major difference between the IBC Inspection Requirements and the MSJC Inspection Requirements occurs with the IBC requirement for inspection during the cold and hot weather construction.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Inspection is becoming more common across the country due to new requirements in the MSJC and the IBC. When providing or requiring this inspection, it is critically important to indicate which set of inspection provisions are being used. The levels of inspection between the MSJC and IBC, while similar, are quite different, and those differences must be recognized.
Inspection helps ensure that masonry will be constructed properly.