ICC Masonry Inspector S2 cheat sheet

Mortar Types (ASTM C270): M = highest compressive strength, used for below-grade and severe exposure; S = moderate-high, typical for structural and lateral-load walls; N = general-purpose above-grade veneer; O = low-strength, non-load-bearing interior; K = lowest, rarely permitted.

Mortar cement (ASTM C1329) Types M, S, N must not be confused with portland cement Types I-V (ASTM C150); mortar cement may contain limestone and has air-content limits different from masonry cement.

Masonry cement (ASTM C91) Types M, S, N are preblended with plasticizers; field mixing with portland cement produces 'mortar cement blends' whose proportions must follow the mortar cement manufacturer's instructions, not Table 1 of C270.

Mortar proportion specification (C270 Table 1) is by volume of portland cement : lime : sand; property specification requires testing of compressive strength, water retention, and air content instead.

Grout (ASTM C476) fine grout requires all sand passing a 3/8 in. sieve; coarse grout permits up to 50% of aggregate passing 1/2 in. Grout slump for fine grout is typically 8-11 in. and coarse 8-11 in. when pumped.

CMU ASTM C90 load-bearing units have minimum net-area compressive strength 1,900 psi (average of 3 units); C129 non-load-bearing units require 1,000 psi minimum. Absorption and dimensional tolerances differ.

Clay brick ASTM C216 (facing) and C652 (hollow brick) grade SW for severe weathering, MW for moderate, NW for negligible. Grade SW requires 24-hour cold water absorption ≤ 6% and saturation coefficient ≤ 0.78.

Anchor bolts: TMS 402/602 requires 1/2 in. minimum diameter, embedment of at least 4 in. into grout, and a minimum edge distance of 1-3/4 in. from the face of the wall for bolts in the center of a grouted cell.

Wall ties and anchors: joint reinforcement must be lapped at least 6 in. or per manufacturer; ties in veneer must have at least 1 in. embedment into mortar and 5/8 in. clearance from the exterior face for corrosion protection.

Plan review must verify the construction documents show: foundation and wall sizes, reinforcement size and spacing, grout placement sequence, mortar type, unit compressive strength, and lateral support details.

Special inspection requirements: TMS 402/602 Chapter 6 (or IBC Chapter 17) requires special inspection for masonry when f'm > 1,500 psi, when the structure is in Seismic Design Category C or higher, or when required by the building official.

Permit application submittals typically include a sealed drawing set, structural calculations, geotechnical report for foundation design, and a statement of special inspections (IBC 107.1 and 1704).

Code path: IBC 2021 Section 2101 adopts TMS 402/602-16 by reference; the designer must state whether the design uses allowable stress (ASD) or strength design (SD).

Deferred submittals for masonry (e.g., engineered truss lintels, post-installed anchors) must be listed on the construction documents with the responsible design professional identified.

Fire-resistance ratings for masonry walls are determined per IBC Table 721.1(2) or by listing; plan review must verify the required rating matches the assembly's equivalent thickness and grout fill.

Energy code (IECC) compliance for masonry walls is typically shown via U-factor tables (IECC Table C402.1.4) or COMcheck; verify continuous insulation and thermal bridging details on the plans.

Plan review checklist items: wall height-to-thickness ratio (h/t) limits per TMS 402 Section 5.5.3, allowable stresses for the specified f'm, and reinforcement details for shear walls including boundary elements.

When a plan lacks required information, the building official may issue a permit with conditions or return the plan; IBC 107.3.4 permits the official to require additional data for unusual design.

Pre-construction meeting and verification: confirm approved submittals, mix designs, unit test reports, and the special inspection schedule before masonry begins.

Mortar and grout sampling: ASTM C780 covers sampling and testing of mortar for compressive strength (2 in. cubes) and consistency; grout is tested per ASTM C1019 using prisms of the masonry units it will fill.

Prism testing: ASTM C1314 masonry prisms determine f'm for the as-built assembly; a minimum of three prisms per set, and the compressive strength is the average with no individual below 75% of the average.

Unit verification: sample CMU per ASTM C140 for compressive strength, absorption, and dimensions; brick per ASTM C67 for absorption and saturation coefficient.

Grout placement inspection: verify grout lift heights (typically 5 ft or 8 ft maximum depending on method), consolidation by puddling or vibration, and that cleanouts are installed at the bottom of grouted cells.

Reinforcement inspection: verify bar size, spacing, lap lengths (Class A = 30 db, Class B = 48 db for tension laps), and cover before grouting; bars must be held in position with ties or positioners.

Flashing and weepholes: verify flashing laps (minimum 6 in. for sheet metal), end dams, and weepholes at 24 in. on center maximum in the head joint above the flashing.

Grout pour inspection: verify the grout slump (8-11 in.), pour height, and that the grout is not dropped more than 5 ft without a tremie; verify that cold joints are properly prepared.

Post-tensioned masonry: verify tendon placement, anchorage, stressing records, and elongation measurements; stressing must be witnessed and recorded by the special inspector.

Authority: the building official enforces the adopted code; the special inspector reports to the building official and the registered design professional, not to the contractor.

Special inspection reports must be filed within 24 hours of the inspection and must state whether the work is in conformance; discrepancies require immediate notification.

Stop-work authority: the building official may issue a stop-work order (IBC 115) for work that is unsafe or not in accordance with the approved plans; the order must be in writing.

Certificate of occupancy (IBC 111) requires that all special inspection final reports, testing reports, and final inspections be complete and accepted by the building official.

Violations and penalties: IBC 113 allows the building official to serve notice of violation and assess penalties; the notice must specify the code section and required corrective action.

Appeals: a decision of the building official may be appealed to the board of appeals within the time specified by the local ordinance, typically 30 days; the appeal must be in writing and state the specific code interpretation at issue.

Contractor licensing: masonry contractors must hold a state or local license; the inspector verifies license and insurance before work begins and documents it in the inspection file.

Record retention: inspection records, test reports, and approved plans must be retained for the period specified by the jurisdiction, commonly the life of the building or a set number of years.

Conflicts of interest: the special inspector must be independent of the contractor and may not inspect work they installed; independence is a code requirement, not just an ethical guideline.