Inspection, Testing, and Plan Review
This domain tests the inspection and plan-review process: completeness of documents, sequence of rough-in and final inspections, required tests, witness procedures, correction notices, and verification of clearances and access.
Core rules
- Plan review checks scope, occupancy, equipment schedules, capacities, combustion air, venting, duct design, piping, clearances, structural support, access, and firestopping. Missing information should be requested before approval.
- Rough-in inspection occurs before concealment of ducts, piping, venting, and fire dampers. Final inspection verifies equipment, controls, labeling, clearances, access, and completed tests.
- Required tests may include duct leakage, piping pressure tests, hydronic hydrostatic tests, refrigerant evacuation or leak tests, and gas piping leak tests. Test records should identify medium, pressure, duration, and result.
- Inspectors may require removal of concealment that prevents verification. Approved access panels and labeled valves help avoid destructive inspection.
- Correction notices must be specific and tied to the code or listing issue. Re-inspection verifies the correction, not just the contractor's statement.
Worked example
A duct system is installed above a hard ceiling before inspection, and the fire damper at a rated wall is covered with no access panel. The inspector cannot verify the damper or duct sealing. The correct response is to require an approved access opening and expose enough work to verify the installation. The final inspection should not be approved until the damper and access are verified.
Traps
Approving plans with missing venting or combustion-air details; allowing concealment before rough-in; accepting verbal test results without records; and missing access panels for dampers or valves.