Section 7 – Construction inspections

Construction inspection overview
ASU permitted projects are subject to inspection to monitor compliance with accepted building codes, ASU’s Project Guidelines, approved plans and contract documents. Contractors are responsible for in-house quality control and required to do their own quality control walkthrough prior to requesting a construction inspection.

Inspection requests

Approved Building Permit and plans shall be available for review at the construction site.
Construction for which a Building Permit is required shall be subject to inspection.
Construction work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.
Inspections shall be requested by the contractor during construction and when the work is complete.
Work that is not approved shall be corrected and re-inspected before construction may continue to the next stage.

Request an inspection:

Submit an inspection request and provide the following information:

Building Permit number.
Requestor’s name, email and phone number
Inspection request date.
Building number, name or site location and room number.
Work order number or project number.
Project manager name and phone number.
Type of inspection requested.

Construction Inspections requested before 2 p.m. will be scheduled for the next business day. Construction inspections requested after 2 p.m. will be scheduled for two business days from the date requested.

Construction inspections

A range of construction inspection types are itemized on the permit card issued at the time the permit application and documentation are approved. Inspection types include demo, footing/foundation/rebar, underground drain/sewer/stormwater, underground domestic water, a variation of electrical, wall, above ceiling and final inspections.

Inspection Ticket

An Inspection Ticket shall be issued for each inspection request and shall indicate whether the inspection is approved or not approved. Upon inspection approval, construction work may continue to the next stage.

Re-inspections

If the inspection is not approved, the Construction Inspector shall issue an Inspection Ticket citing the deficiencies. The contractor must correct the non-compliant work and call for a re-inspection. Upon re-inspection approval, construction work may continue to the next stage.

Inspection concerns

Frequent deficiencies noted during inspections:

Firestop product not applied by qualified personnel.
Panel boards without a main breaker.
Sanitary sewer, drains and vents without FM 1680 Class 1, ASTM C-1540, four band clamps.
The following unacceptable materials used during construction require replacement: aluminum wound transformers, MC cable or similar product, conduit smaller than three-fourths of an inch, die-cast fittings, aluminum wiring, ABS or PVC soil/vent piping.

For additional information, see ASU Project Guidelines.

Stop Work Order

A Stop Work Order shall be issued for construction work that is not permitted and for construction work being performed in a manner that is unsafe. The Stop Work Order shall state the reason for the order and the conditions under which the cited work will be permitted to resume.

Special Inspection

The owner or registered design professional in responsible charge acting as owner’s agent shall engage one or more Special Inspectors to provide inspections during construction on the types of work listed in the International Building Code, under Section 1704, Special Inspections. When required, a Special Inspection is in addition to, not in lieu of, periodic Building Safety inspections by ASU Construction Inspectors. The Special Inspection shall be conducted by a qualified Special Inspector certified to inspect a particular type of construction or operation requiring a Special Inspection.

The Design Professional or responsible party in charge of the Special Inspection shall submit reports as required and maintain records on site that are accessible to the ASU Construction Inspectors for periodic review. The Special Inspection Certificate shall be posted with the ASU Construction Inspection Permit Card at the construction site.

Inspections of construction sites covered under AZPDES Construction General Permit AZG2020-001

ASU’s Erosion, Sediment Control and Grading Policy describes the stormwater inspection and enforcement process. All university construction projects are inspected at four milestones:

Placement of erosion and sediment control measures
Sediment control measures relocated or revised
Final grading complete
Final landscaping

According to the policy, any construction work that is not approved must be corrected and re-inspected before construction may continue to the next stage. Enforcement mechanisms include Stop Work Order and revocation of the Building Permit. Final payment is withheld until the final inspection is successfully completed. ASU also maintains the right to report serious violations to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for prosecution and possible fines.

Final Code Inspection

All required inspections must be conducted and construction approved before permanent occupancy will be allowed. A Final Code Inspection is required when building construction is completed to the requirements of the approved plans, specifications and approved building codes. Utility clearances, when required, must be obtained before a Final Code Inspection is approved.

Types of inspections

ADA Inspection

The Inspector will check for compliance with the 2010 ADA Guidelines.

Construction Inspection

The Final Code Inspection shall be approved if there are no violations of code, ASU Project Guidelines or other conditions. The Construction Inspector performing the Final Code Inspection shall remove the Inspection Permit Card from the project site and return it to Construction Support Services for record retention.

Electrical Inspection

New panel boards, switchgears, transformers and disconnects may not be energized until inspected.
The panel must be wired before the Final Inspection. If not, another Electrical Inspection shall be requested before the Final Inspection.
Upon passing inspection, new construction projects will be issued a green tag. An Electrical Clearance will be prepared for the utility company – if project is not on the ASU grid.

Fire Alarm and Fire Sprinkler Inspection - 480-965-1823

Final A.F.E.S., Fire Alarm – ASU Fire Marshal’s Office will inspect fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems. The contractor that designs and installs the fire protection system will provide plans to the ASU Fire Marshal’s Office. The contractor will schedule a certification “acceptance” test – usually a random 10 percent test. If everything passes, a green tag and report will be issued.
Fire Alarm System – Call ASU Electric Shop for a fire system pre-acceptance test. A 100 percent fire alarm and emergency power test to ensure all life-safety systems and components will be performed in the contractor’s presence. ASU’s Electric Shop will email the test results to ASU’s Fire Marshal. ASUFMO will conduct a minimum of 10 percent acceptance testing representing the State Fire Marshal’s Office per agreement.
Fire Protection Equipment – ASU FMO will inspect, bar code and tag fire extinguishers.
Rough A.F.E.S. Piping – Call ASU FMO for inspections on vertical piping, overhead piping, hangers and spacing. These items must be inspected and accepted prior to covering ceiling or walls. A 200-pound hydrostatic pressure test must be conducted on new fire sprinkler installation.
Underground Fire Line – Call ASU FMO for a pressure test before the line is buried on new below ground fire lines. The line flush must be witnessed before tie in to the riser.

Food Safety and Health Inspection - 480-965-6853

For inspections on new and remodeled food facilities and swimming pools at ASU campuses.

Caution about Drywells on ASU Campuses

Storm drains and drywells are used solely to receive stormwater runoff and are regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Storm drains and drywells in the vicinity of construction sites will be inspected during construction activity. Dumping construction materials into drywells and storm drains during and after construction activity is prohibited. If dumping of prohibited materials should occur, an ADEQ investigation may take place and penalties may apply. For additional details, visit websites: A.R.S. 49-241 and A.R.S. 49-262.

For information about ASU’s Erosion, Sediment Control and Grading Policy, visit ASU Stormwater Management.

Send questions about ASU’s Stormwater Management Program.