Governing Codes and Standards for Masonry Construction and Inspection
Hierarchy
The IBC adopts TMS 402 and TMS 602 by reference; TMS 402 is the design standard and TMS 602 is the construction specification. ASTM standards supply material and test methods. The inspector must know which document controls a given requirement: design strength from TMS 402, workmanship and inspection from TMS 602, and material properties from ASTM.
Key IBC locations
- IBC Chapter 21 covers masonry scope, definitions, unit standards, construction, quality assurance, ASD, strength design, and veneer.
- IBC Chapter 17 covers special inspection and testing; masonry special inspection is triggered by the code and the project statement.
- TMS 602 covers quality assurance, materials, construction, grout, tolerances, and testing.
Worked example
A plan specifies TMS 402 ASD with f'm = 1,500 psi. The inspector finds Type N mortar proposed. TMS 402's design assumed a specific f'm, but the construction specification's mortar type is a separate requirement. The inspector checks the approved drawings and TMS 602 submittals; if Type N was not approved, it is a nonconformance even if the wall might still work structurally.
Traps
- Citing ASTM C90 as the design code.
- Assuming the IBC contains all masonry inspection frequencies; many are in TMS 602 and the project specifications.
- Missing the difference between a code requirement and a project specification requirement.