|
|
Chapter 5
The Inspector's Role
Contents
- This Chapter contains an overview of the Inspector's main role and responsibilities during the drilled shaft construction process.
- A short quiz is provided at the end of the Chapter.
The Inspector is involved in all three phases of the project:
Pre-construction
This would involve the review of the project plans, attending pre-construction meetings and discussing, resolving, and clarifying any questions you may have. These meeting provide the opportunity for all parties to obtain a thorough understanding of the project details and goals.
The Inspector must review, know and understand the project plans.
Construction
The Inspector has numerous responsibilities during the construction phase ranging from verifying the approved equipment is on-site to determining hole cleanliness requirements have been met, just to name a few. Extremely important during this phase is the communication and coordination by the Inspector with the responsible Engineer, who must be kept informed and up to date.
The Inspector must have a thorough understanding of the specifications, special provisions, etc., the project is governed by.
Post Construction
During the post installation phase, the Inspector may be involved in documenting completed drilled shaft construction details, integrity testing and any required reports.
It is extremely important for the Drilled Shaft Inspector understand their role in the drilled shaft construction process. From participating in pre-construction meetings to documenting post installation testing, the Drilled Shaft Inspector is intimately involved and a valuable team player in achieving the results all parties goal- a quality drilled shaft installed in accordance with the plans and specifications. |
|
 |
In accomplishing their duties, the Inspector's main functions are covered below:
- Serve as the Department's Representative
Each drilled shaft project is constructed based upon the approved plans and applicable specifications. The Inspector is to serve as the State's representative and ensure that this occurs.
The Contractor is entitled to be paid for their work, providing it meets the plans and specification requirements, and the Inspector, by documenting the construction, assures all parties get what is expected- The Contractor paid and the State, a quality properly installed drilled shaft.
The Inspector, serving as the "eyes and ears" of the Engineer, generally does not have, nor do they want, the authority to direct the Contractor's work.
Important keys to remember are:
Who you represent
Not to unnecessarily delay or interrupt the Contractor
Remember your common goal
- Be a "Recorder" and a "Reporter"
The Inspector must make accurate, unbiased observations of all important drilled shaft construction events. These events must be documented on the appropriate forms or reports for reporting.
Being a "Recorder" means:
Make accurate, unbiased observations- Don't record "around 2 ½ feet". Measure and record accurately- Don't record "in the PM". Put the correct time, say 2:05 PM.
Regardless of what you have heard or been told about a Contractor or who you represent, you observations are to be unbiased, based upon facts or actual observations. The Inspector inspects based upon a set of plans and specifications- it is either in accordance with or not in accordance with those documents.
Document events completely and consistently- Document events completely; this is part of your obligation to whom you represent. A half report on the volume of concrete placed or just documentation of the rig only and not the tools is unacceptable. Remember, that possibly sometime in the future, when you are on another project, someone may have questions about what occurred on your project and the only real source of information is your documentation.
Be consistent in your documentation and observations. If you start the project by recording the time it takes to drill a shaft, you need to do that on every shaft. Inconsistency draws attention and may bring your documentation into question.
Perform Your Duties Promptly- Prompt performance of your duties is imperative. You should not delay the Contractor. If the bottom of the shaft is ready for inspection, and the Inspector is not there, the Contractor is on standby. May cost the Department money.
More importantly, if you perform your duties promptly, and an out of compliance or questionable event occurs, you can probably notify the Engineer soon enough to make a difference.
Being a "Reporter" means:
Complete Forms and Reports Accurately- Typically standard reports or forms are used, based on local practice, for the recording of drilled shaft construction activities. The Inspector should never go to the jobsite without the current forms or reports. Make sure to provide all the information requested on a form or report, accurately and completely. Incomplete or improperly completed forms or reports can call to question your documentation. As discussed earlier, also be consistent in completing of paperwork. In many locals, there are specifications regarding erasers or changes (i.e., Erasers are not permitted- make corrections by striking through the wrong entry with a single line, initial it, and write the correct entry close by). Know these, if they exist, and follow them.
Keep Forms & Reports Up-to-Date- Do not fall behind on the paperwork. Recalling from memory and deciding to scribble something down on a piece of paper for transfer later is a No, No. What is the absolute best that can happen? You get it right- everything else is a negative. Keep your paperwork current. There may arise a question on something performed the day before and if your paperwork isn't current, how can the situation be resolved.
- Keep the Engineer Informed
The Inspector serves as the eyes and ears of the Engineer. You must keep the Engineer informed so that in the event a situation arises, the Engineer is not blindsided. They are counting on you.
Therefore, it is important that the Inspector develop a rapport with the Engineer and this usually occurs during the pre-construction phase, where the Inspector and Engineer discuss specific project issuers.
Communicate- The Inspector should communicate as often as needed to keep the Engineer informed. In most instances, this is daily. The Engineer will want to know what progress was made that day, were any problems encountered, etc. Remember, they answer to someone too, who might ask them questions.
Coordinate- The Inspector should coordinate any meetings, site visit, etc., with the Engineer.
Notify the Engineer soon enough to make a Difference- As the old saying goes, "it's to late to close the gate after the horses are out". The same holds true in drilled shaft construction, only it's to late after the concrete is placed.
For example, should you observe that the cage is being constructed outside the specifications, don't wait until it is placed in the shaft, or worse yet, the concrete poured. Document, notify the Engineer right away and inform the Contractor. This will allow for the issue to be resolved before the cage is in the ground.
This type of communication can reduce the impact to the project schedule, quality and cost.
I have completed Chapter 5 and am ready to take the Quiz
|
