Best Practices for Project Management, Design, and Construction of ...

Section 4: Inspector of Record Best Practices
Introduction
The actions of the Inspector of Record (IOR) on a project are based on the requirements outlined
in Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR).
The IOR is interviewed and approved for each project by the design professional of record as
appropriate and works under the direction of the Architect of Record (AOR) and/or the Engineer of
Record (EOR) (see Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 7, Section 7-145 of the CCR); is employed by the
hospital governing board or authority; and is then approved for the project and monitored
by OSHPD for competence and adequately ensuring compliance (see Title 24, Section
7-213 of the CCR).
When questions arise the IOR should consult the owner and the AOR and/or the EOR. The
appropriate OSHPD personnel associated with the project, including the Compliance Officer
(CO), Fire Life Safety Officer (FLSO), District Structural Engineer (DSE), and the Regional
Compliance Officer (RCO) should be consulted as needed.
It takes much more than simply having an OSHPD certification to be an OSHPD inspector.
Complex hospital construction requires the right kind of inspector with the right kind of
background for the project to be constructed. Inspectors help make a project successful by doing
their job properly and effectively without ever compromising their position. This chapter gives a
general description of the duties and responsibilities, with insight to the best practices for the IOR
along with an overview of the necessary working relationships required for a successful project.
Conduct
In recognition of the responsibility of their position, the IORs should observe the following rules
governing their personal conduct:
• Be patient, tactful, and respectful.
• Have no personal connection with any individual, either directly or indirectly, and do not
accept a loan, gift, or gratuity from any individual, contractor, subcontractor, group,
company, corporation, or public body that is in any way responsible for compliance with
the terms and conditions of the contract.
• Never suggest or recommend for construction employment any particular person or
persons or subcontractors. Nor should an IOR suggest or recommend the purchase of any
specific material or product except insofar as the specifications may require.
• Do not give directions or instructions to the contractor or any subcontractor involving any
change in the work other than to stop the work if it is not covered by or constructed in
accordance with the approved documents. (Only OSHPD, not the IOR, can stop work.)
(OSHPD Best Practices) Page 57 DRAFT FINAL, Sept. 2011