For which type of welds is the special inspector not required to be continuously present?

The correct choice indicates that special inspector presence is not continuously required for single-pass fillet welds not exceeding 5/16 inch. In structural steel work, continuous inspection by a special inspector is usually mandated for welds to ensure quality and adherence to standards. However, for smaller, simpler welds such as single-pass fillet welds that do not exceed a specific size threshold—a common rule of thumb is 5/16 inch—the inspection requirements can be less stringent. This is based on the assumption that smaller welds have lower structural implications and are more straightforward to execute correctly.

So, for single-pass fillet welds under this size, the code often allows for less rigorous oversight because the potential for defects is lower compared to larger or more complex welds, thus permitting certain flexibility in inspection practices. This principle helps streamline the inspection process in contexts where the risk is deemed manageable.