Under what condition are special inspections not required according to the code?

Special inspections are a critical component of ensuring that construction complies with design specifications and applicable building codes. When work is performed by an approved fabricator, the code generally allows for the omission of special inspections because approved fabricators have demonstrated their ability to comply with quality assurance and control measures. This approval stems from a rigorous evaluation process, confirming that the fabricator has the necessary quality management systems in place. As a result, the confidence in the fabricator’s work reduces the need for additional oversight, which is why special inspections are not mandated in such situations.

The other conditions listed entail scenarios where the level of oversight and assurance may not meet the required standards, which is why special inspections may still be necessary in those cases. For instance, unapproved fabricators lack the demonstrated quality control, the work being conducted onsite may have unique challenges that need monitoring, and the absence of welding does not automatically lessen the complexity or necessity for inspections in steel structures.