Contractors should understand the process of rebar inspection , whether the inspection is done by their own forces or by an inspector re p resenting the owner or building official. The goal of inspection or quality – control programs is to ensure that contract documents and building
codes are followed. The programs also ensure structural safety and architectural aesthetic compliance.
Inspection and testing do not add quality to the product, but only confirm whether it meets the established criteria. Quality during construction is achieved mostly by the contractor’ s
quality-assurance program, involving workers and field supervisors. The Contractor inspectors are separate from the inspectors mandated by the owner or local building department.
The contractor’s quality-control inspection helps assure that the finished construction meets the owner’s requirements. Inspections by the material producer and supplier assure that products meet material specifications.
Inspectors should be familiar with the project contract documents (especially structural and rebar placing drawings) and building code req u i rements, and have access to material standards and re f e rences, codes, and industry manuals or reports for rebar inspection .
The inspection program should be established at a pre – construction conference. The size or complexity of the project determines the scope of the inspection program. This meeting should be attended by representatives of outside inspection agencies, the general contractor’s superintendent, concrete subcontractor’s superintendent, the supplier’s representative, the iron worker foreman, and others, such as the architect, engineer, or engineer’ s site re p resentative. At the meeting, a checklist of procedures and minimum requirements for inspection acceptance should be established.
ails within the prescribed tolerances; and approval of rebar placing. Approvals of rebar material may be made on the basis of mill tests performed by the manufacturer for each heat from which the bars used originated. If samples are to be taken for independent strength tests, measurements of deformations,bending tests, and minimum weight, the routine samples may be best secured at the mill or the fabrication shop before fabrication. Occasionally, samples for check tests are taken in the field; but in this case, provision should be made for extra lengths of
bars to be shipped and for schedules for the completion of such tests before the material is required for placing. Sampling at the point of fabrication, before fabrication, is recommended.
References:
- BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION HANDBOOK for Frederick S. Merritt & Jonathan T. Ricketts