California Supplemental (CSE) Practice Exam

In the special inspections process, who is primarily responsible for providing a list of required inspections?

1. The contractor

2. The architect

3. The structural engineer

4. The building inspector

The correct answer is: The structural engineer

The structural engineer holds primary responsibility for providing a list of required inspections in the special inspections process. This is because the structural engineer's expertise is crucial in identifying which components of the construction require oversight to ensure they meet structural safety standards and comply with the design specifications. The structural engineer typically evaluates the complexities of the structural system and determines the specific aspects that necessitate special inspection, which might include items like specific welds, concrete placements, or any other critical construction procedures that need extra scrutiny. This list becomes part of the construction documents, ensuring all parties understand what requires special attention during the inspection process. While architects and contractors play vital roles in the overall construction process—contributing to design and executing the work, respectively—it is the structural engineer who specifically identifies and outlines the necessary inspections based on structural design criteria. The building inspector does not typically generate this list, as their role is more about assessing compliance and safety as construction progresses rather than determining the specifics of what should be inspected.