Dade County Building Code (1935)

building-inspection-protocol

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descriptionMandatory inspection stages, concrete testing protocols, and oversight requirements in the 1935 Miami building code.

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Building Inspection Protocol

The building-inspection-protocol outlines the mandatory procedures for inspecting building construction in Miami, ensuring compliance with the 1935-miami-dade-building-code. This protocol is designed to verify structural integrity and safety at critical stages of construction, including specific requirements for reinforced concrete quality and testing.

Inspection Stages

According to Sec. 204, the building-inspector must conduct inspections at specific intervals. Work cannot proceed beyond each stage without written approval:

  1. Foundation Inspection: Conducted after trenches are excavated, forms erected, and materials delivered (p. 26).
  2. Frame Inspection: Conducted after the roof, framing, fireblocking, bracing, and pipes are complete (p. 26).
  3. Stucco Inspection: Conducted after lathing and backing are in place but before stucco application (p. 26).
  4. Final Inspection: Conducted when the building is completed and ready for occupancy, preceding the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (p. 26).

Registered Inspectors

For Type I buildings or structures with complicated designs, the code requires the employment of a registered-inspector (p. 27). This inspector must:

  • Be approved and registered with the Building Inspector.
  • Pay a 5,000 surety bond (p. 27).
  • Remain constantly on site during construction.
  • Report on material strength, progress, and any deviations from the code (p. 28).
  • Obtain a Certificate of Compliance from the Building Inspector to terminate their duties (p. 28).

Reinforced Concrete Oversight and Testing

Chapter 26 of the code introduces rigorous oversight for reinforced-concrete-design. The building-inspector or their authorized representative has the right to require reasonable tests of concrete to determine if materials and methods produce the necessary quality (p. 170). Specimens for these tests must be taken at the place of deposit, cured, and tested in accordance with the “Standard Method of Making Compression Tests of Concrete” (Serial Designation: C 39-27) of the american-society-for-testing-materials (p. 170).

Load Tests

The Building Inspector may order load tests on any portion of a completed structure if there is reasonable doubt as to its adequacy. Such tests are not required for concrete less than 60 days old. The test load must equal one and one-half times the live load plus one-half of the dead load, left in position for 24 hours. The structure fails if it does not recover at least 75 percent of the maximum deflection within 24 hours after load removal (p. 170).

Inspection Records

All concrete work must be inspected by the Architect or Engineer responsible for the design or a competent representative. A record must be kept covering the quantity and quality of materials, mixing and placing of concrete, and placement of reinforcing steel. This record must also include progress details and temperatures if they fall below 40°F. These records are available for inspection by the Building Inspector at all times and must be preserved for two years after the structure’s acceptance (p. 170-171).

Material and Quality Testing

Tests must be made on any material entering concrete construction when there is reasonable doubt as to its suitability. Results of all tests must be kept on file in the Building Inspector’s office for two years (p. 170). For concrete quality, the water-cement ratio is a critical factor. If preliminary tests are not made, the water-cement ratio must not exceed values specified in the code for assumed strengths (p. 172). If established by test, the water-cement ratio must correspond to a strength 15 percent higher than the minimum ultimate strength called for on the plans (p. 173).

Enforcement and Compliance

The protocol is enforced through the code-enforcement-mechanisms, which grant the Building Inspector the power to stop work or condemn unsafe structures (p. 29). Inspections are critical for issuing the city-of-miami’s Certificate of Occupancy, which is required before any building can be used (p. 28).

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p25_44

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p45_64

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p85_104

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p145_164

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p165_184

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p185_204

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p205_224

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p325_344

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p345_364

See also: 1935-Miami-Dade-Building-Code_p365_375

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