INSPECTIONS

[A]109.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the designated inspector and the code official, and such construction or work shall remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes. Neither the code official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection. [A]109.2 Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the code official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings and sites for which an application has been filed. [A]109.3 Required inspections. The designated inspector and the code official, on notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Sections 820 109.3.1 through 109.3.10. [A]109.3.1 Footing or foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready-mixed in accordance with ASTM C94, the concrete need not be on the job. [A]109.3.2 Concrete slab or under-floor inspection. Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories, and other ancillary equipment items are in place but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor. [A]109.3.3 Lowest floor elevation. For additions and substantial improvements to .existing buildings in flood hazard areas, on placement of the lowest floor, including basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation documentation required in the Puerto Rico Building Code shall be submitted to the code official. [A]109.3.4 Frame inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, framing, fire blocking, and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys, and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes, and ducts are approved. [A]109.3.5 Lath or gypsum board inspection. Lath and gypsum board inspections shall be made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, is in place but before any plastering is applied or before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Exception: Gypsum board that is not part of a fireresistance-rated assembly or a shear assembly. [A]109.3.6 Weather-exposed balcony and walking surface waterproofing. Where the scope of work involves balconies or other elevated walking surfaces exposed to water from direct or blowing rain, snow or irrigation, and the structural framing is protected by an impervious moisture barrier, all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system shall not be concealed until inspected and approved. Exception: Where special inspections are provided in accordance with Section 1705.1.1, Item 3, of the Puerto Rico Building Code. [A]109.3.7 Fire and smoke-resistant penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved. [A]109.3.8 Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in Sections 109.2 through 109.3.7, the code official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any 821 construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the building enforcement agencies. [A]109.3.9 Special inspections. Special inspections shall be required in accordance with the Puerto Rico Building Code. [A]109.3.10 Final inspection. The final inspection shall be made after work required by the building permit is completed. [A]109.4 Inspection agencies. The code official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided that such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability, as established by the Joint Regulation. [A]109.5 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the code official and the designated inspector when work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for any inspections of such work that are required by this code. [A]109.6 Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the code official. The code official and/or the designated inspector, on notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed or shall notify the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the code official.