Construction Quality Assurance on Mass Timber Projects: Inspection and Observation

Quality assurance for mass timber projects involves many considerations, which can create a learning curve for teams new to these materials. For example, in addition to code-required inspections that apply to almost any project, mass timber projects benefit from other types of inspections—but it can be challenging to find information on what they entail. While inspection standards and methods have long been codified for other structural materials (including other types of wood construction), mass timber is relatively new to the United States. And although mass timber projects are subject to many of the existing inspection requirements, the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) was the first version to include requirements specific to these materials. 

The intent of this paper is to present considerations that help building owners and AEC teams develop inspection and observation plans for their mass timber projects. Topics include: 

• Inspections performed by the building official, or Authority Having Jurisdiction 
• Special inspections 
• Structural observations 
• Communicating special inspection and structural observation requirements  
• Required inspections for timber buildings 
• Preconstruction meetings 
• Other mass timber site observations and inspections 
• Off-site inspections  
• Example special inspections for a mass timber project 

Collaboration between the designers of record and construction team, and design team awareness of construction activities, is useful for managing a project’s risk. A thorough approach to inspections and observations will help to ensure that the constructed building complies with structural, fire, life safety, and other requirements of the building code while conforming to the project CDs.