Chapter 19.15
INSPECTIONS AND SPECIAL PLAN REVIEW
Sections:
19.15.030 Required inspections.
19.15.040 Inspection requests.
19.15.050 Special inspections.
19.15.070 Special plan review.
19.15.090 Time for completion.
19.15.010 Purpose.
This chapter is intended to provide the applicant with a general understanding of the process through which City and third party inspections will occur throughout the construction process, from permit issuance to final inspection. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the City with sufficient advance notice of inspections and access to those areas that require inspection. The order and magnitude of inspections may vary by project, but close communication between the City and the applicant is essential. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 301)
19.15.020 General.
A. Work performed under the authority of these standards shall be done to the satisfaction of the Public Works Department and in accordance with construction plans stamped “Approved for Construction” by the City of Ferndale. Except for emergency repairs and regularly scheduled maintenance, ditch cleaning, mowing and bank stabilization; no work may be started until such plans are approved. Any revision to such plans shall be approved by the Public Works Director before being implemented. A set of “as-built” drawings on the latest version of PDF and AutoCad will be required at the completion of the project, prior to final acceptance. The as-built drawing shall include accurate depictions of the as-built roadways as well as City (water, sewer, stormwater) and private utilities.
B. The Public Works Director shall have authority to appoint designees as necessary to review and inspect the work and they shall exercise such authority as the Public Works Director may delegate. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 302)
19.15.030 Required inspections.
A. Inspections Required – Construction Process. Inspections are required on all development, road and drainage construction and work performed within the City right-of-way as well as the installation of private stormwater systems and public water and sewer lines within existing or proposed easements. Inspections will be completed under the control of the Public Works Director, his/her designated inspectors or by other inspectors as deemed necessary by him/her. Depending on the type of work, any or all of the following inspections may be required in the sequence shown.
The inspection sequence listed below is intended to describe the general order of construction. The City and the project applicant will discuss the specific order of inspections based on the approved construction drawings and the requirements of individual projects. If the applicant believes that the inspection sequence indicated below does not fit the requirements of their project, s/he should identify this proposed change at the preconstruction meeting. The inspection process is flexible but depends upon close coordination between the project applicant and inspectors for the City.
1. Preconstruction Meeting. Unless waived by the Public Works Director, a preconstruction meeting shall take place immediately prior to issuance of permits authorizing work for the project. In some cases, the Public Works Director may require recurring meetings during construction. The preconstruction meeting is intended to identify any points of emphasis or concern on the part of either the City or the applicant related to the proposed construction, to identify the sequencing and specific method of inspections, and to share other information relevant to the project.
2. Land Disturbance Permit Issued – Notice to Proceed. Immediately following the preconstruction meeting, the applicant may purchase the land disturbance permit associated with the project. The applicant must also sign an acknowledgement of requirements set forth by the preconstruction agenda document as well as the approved plans and specifications.
3. Erosion Control Inspection. Prior to the start of construction, and continuing throughout construction until construction completion and final site stabilization.
4. Roadway Construction. Inspections may occur periodically during construction in order to verify:
a. Survey staking.
b. Subgrade depth and condition (geotechnical verification required).
c. Depth and elevation of ballast (geotechnical compaction required).
d. Depth and elevation of crushed rock before pavement.
5. Sidewalk Construction. Inspections may occur periodically during construction in order to verify:
a. Subgrade (geotechnical verification required).
b. Depth of ballast (geotechnical compaction required).
c. Depth of drain rock.
d. Concrete/mix design.
e. Slope percentage and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
6. Sewer. Inspections may occur periodically during construction in order to verify:
a. Survey staking.
b. Set of structures.
c. Verification of invert elevations.
d. Pipe size and type.
e. Line and grade of pipes.
f. Grout and channel.
g. Bedding and backfill.
h. Trench compaction (geotechnical compaction required).
i. Sewer pressure (five pounds for 15 minutes).
j. Sewer camera.
7. Stormwater. Stormwater inspections described by this section represent those necessary for permanent stormwater infrastructure and are separate from the erosion control inspections described above, which focus on temporary measures necessary to prevent erosion. Inspections may occur periodically during construction.
a. Survey staking.
b. Installation of structures.
c. Verification of invert elevations.
d. Pipe size and type.
e. Line and grade of pipes.
f. Grout inside and outside of structures.
g. Bedding and backfill.
h. Trench compaction (geotechnical compaction required).
i. A stormwater maintenance plan must be submitted to the City for review and approval at project completion, including an as-built drawing of the privately maintained stormwater conveyance system located outside of the City right-of-way.
8. Water. Inspections may occur periodically during construction in order to verify:
a. Survey staking.
b. Alignment and depth of pipe.
c. Connection and verification of valve and water service locations.
d. Water service and hydrant assembly.
e. Size and verify thrust blocking.
f. Bedding and backfill (geotechnical compaction required for trenches).
g. Oversee pressure test on entire system (225 pounds for 15 minutes).
h. Coordinate bacterial testing with waste water treatment plant operators.
i. Final connection to City water mains.
9. Paving. Inspections may occur periodically during construction in order to verify:
a. Depths of lifts.
b. Use of tack.
c. Compaction (geotechnical compaction required).
d. Tonnage.
e. Proper placement practices.
10. Final. The following inspections and reviews must be completed prior to the City’s verification of project completeness:
a. Reinspection of all infrastructure, reinspection of lines and structures.
b. Survey/monumentation.
c. Roads/sidewalk condition.
d. Verification that punch list items have been completed.
e. Review of as-builts, easements, and plat information.
f. Recommend substantial completion to Public Works Director and Community Development Department.
g. Review maintenance bond submittal.
h. Confirm full payment of development review accounts and issue refunds, if necessary.
11. Reinspections. The majority of the civil inspections described above are intended to occur periodically throughout the construction process, reflecting the methods of construction described within the approved civil plans and the preconstruction meeting. However, the City reserves the right to charge an additional fee to be deducted from the development review account in those cases when the project inspector must return to the site repeatedly to address the same issue, or when punch list items are not resolved in a timely fashion.
12. Inspection Fees. Inspection fees are included in the development review account deposited with the City, and are charged based on the staff time associated with the inspection process. The applicant must preserve adequate funding within the development review account during the construction process, and the City reserves the right to cease inspections should the development review account be depleted.
13. Structural Inspections. At critical stages of foundation, placement and assembly of components, and final completion and test, as directed by the Public Works Director and in coordination with the Building Official.
14. Inspections of Private Streets. The City will conduct inspections related to the installation of water distribution, sewer collection and stormwater conveyance systems located outside City rights-of-way associated with private development. The City will also inspect private streets in order to confirm compliance with minimal dimensional requirements. The City will not inspect private streets for section depth, including ballast, compaction, or tonnage. The City will rely on qualified professionals hired by the applicant to certify that the private streets have met established construction methods and practices in writing.
B. Work performed on private property requires project certification by the engineer of record on forms provided by the City, prior to project acceptance. The engineer of record will be required to identify an inspection schedule to be carried out by themselves or a qualified designee, including geotechnical support for project certification. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 303)
19.15.040 Inspection requests.
Although in some cases City inspectors may be familiar with project time frames, the developer shall not assume that inspections will occur. Whenever possible, notify the Public Works Director’s office at least 24 hours in advance of each required inspection. Work conducted with the necessary inspection(s) may result in a requirement for special inspection or testing to certify that the work has been performed correctly. The Public Works Director shall determine the need for special testing. The developer shall be responsible for paying the costs of such testing and certification. The Public Works Director may require that no further work be conducted until the testing is completed and any necessary corrections are made. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 304)
19.15.050 Special inspections.
When these standards require, or when the Public Works Director determines that the work being performed requires quality control inspection and/or materials sampling and testing, the developer or agency performing the work shall be required to furnish a qualified inspector(s) and arrange for materials sampling and testing as appropriate. All inspection work performed shall be coordinated with the Public Works Director or his/her representative. The Public Works Director shall determine the frequency and magnitude of materials sampling and testing. The Public Works Director shall also determine whether the testing and sampling shall be performed by City personnel or by a private testing laboratory. Certified test reports shall be furnished for all tests performed by private testing laboratories. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 305)
19.15.060 Asbestos control.
Asbestos containing material (ACM) may be encountered during a construction project in the form of asbestos cement pipe, pipe insulation, or as insulation in a structure that is being demolished. It can be found in pipe for water or sewer mains, electrical conduits, drainage pipe, and vent pipes, etc. Normal breakage and crushing of the material can cause an asbestos fiber release which presents a serious respiratory hazard. It is imperative that asbestos fiber release be controlled. Citations by the City or other regulatory agencies may include substantial fines.
Only employees certified by Washington State as a certified asbestos worker may work on ACM during construction, demolition, repair, maintenance, renovation, salvage, or disposal of ACM.
The contractor shall have all asbestos removed from the site and properly disposed of by a state-licensed asbestos contractor in accordance with the practices specified by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), the Whatcom County Solid Waste Division, and all other pertinent state and local regulations. See also WAC 296-62-077. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 306)
19.15.070 Special plan review.
Any additional review of plans caused by changes in the project design shall be considered special plan review and shall be charged at the hourly rate contained in the fee ordinance depending on the disciplines or section doing the review and according to their hourly rates. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 307)
19.15.080 Fees.
All costs incurred by City, City’s Engineer, or third party consultants for the City shall be borne by applicant.
A. Land Clearing, Filling or Grading Permits. Fees for fill and grade permits shall be as set forth by ordinance as contained in the City’s current fee schedule.
B. Plan Review and Inspection Fees. The applicant shall deposit fees necessary for the City’s review of plans and subsequent inspections as described by the current fee schedule for development review. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 308)
19.15.090 Time for completion.
Projects subject to the inspections identified in this chapter will remain in good standing with the City and relevant permits issued, based on the timely completion of required inspections.
A. A permit holder maintains the permit in active status by engaging in construction activity within 180 calendar days of issuance of permits authorizing construction activity, and within 180 calendar days of each approved inspection thereafter. Construction activity is evidenced by the City’s approval of necessary inspections upon request of the permit holder, or the permit holder’s exhibition of a good faith effort to substantially comply with the required elements of inspection approval.
B. If the work described in any permit has commenced but necessary inspections have not been approved or substantial compliance has not been shown in accordance with subsection (A) of this section for a period of 180 calendar days from the date of issuance of the permit and from the last prior inspection or verified activity/progress, the work under said permit is considered suspended or abandoned and said permit automatically expires, and becomes null and void.
C. Extension requests may be granted at the discretion and latitude of the Public Works Director; provided, that the extension request is made in writing within 180 days from the date of the last approved activity. The first extension shall not require a fee; however, second and additional requests shall be assessed a fee according to the current adopted fee code.
1. The Director may consider ongoing construction activity authorized by other permits within the overall development as a factor in granting an extension request. As an example, a land disturbance permit may be relied on to initiate and complete construction activity on a site, with construction activity related to an authorized building permit occurring in the middle of the process.
D. In general, all construction activity (including all required inspection) must be completed within 18 months of permit issuance.
E. The City reserves the right to suspend inspections in those cases when the development review account associated with the project has been exhausted and has not been replenished within 30 days of the City’s written request for more funds. (Ord. 2007 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1999 § 2 (Exh. 2), 2017; Ord. 1978 § 1 (Exh. 3), 2016. DS § 309)