ICC General Requirements Practice Exam

Who establishes the special inspection program for a construction project?

1. The contractor

2. The registered design professional

3. The building department

4. The project owner

The correct answer is: The building department

The building department is responsible for establishing the special inspection program for a construction project. This program is crucial for ensuring that the construction complies with the building codes and regulations established by the jurisdiction. The building department typically sets the requirements for inspections based on the complexity and risks associated with the project, outlining which work requires special inspection and indicating qualified inspectors to carry out these responsibilities. In this context, while other parties—such as the contractor, the registered design professional, and the project owner—play important roles in the construction process, they do not have the authority to establish the special inspection program. The contractor is primarily responsible for executing the work on-site, the registered design professional is mainly involved in the design and may suggest aspects related to inspections, and the project owner has a stake in the project but does not dictate the specifics of inspection criteria. The overarching authority of the building department ensures adherence to safety and compliance standards, making it the correct entity to establish the special inspection program.