Construction inspections explained
Inspections required for new construction
Updated: Friday, 02 Aug 2013, 6:56 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 02 Aug 2013, 4:50 PM EDT
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) – The City of Terre Haute has condemned the building that collapsed Wednesday , injuring two construction workers. The City now wants some conditions met before construction of Moe’s Southwest Grill can resume.
“We have notified the contractor and told them before they can proceed and before we can lift the condemnation, we need a plan, their plan for moving forward,” said City Engineer, Chuck Ennis.
Once the plan is approved, construction can resume. At what point in the construction process remains to be seen. Ennis says it’s possible the contractor may be required to tear down the walls already built, and go from there.
On Wednesday, the Terre Haute Fire Department told us crews were installing a truss system when the accident happened, bringing down the entire structure.
That prompted us to ask Ennis about inspections on the project. He said the project had passed two initial inspections, but construction had not yet reached the point a third inspection was required.
“We did a footing inspection, and we also did an inspection of the underground materials,” Ennis said. “The plumbing and electrical was brought in below grade, under the floor. They were in the process of framing when the accident happened.”
Meanwhile, OSHA paid a visit to the site Thursday to begin its own investigation into the accident. Its inspectors will determine whether the contractor followed its guidelines for safe construction.
In other words, this investigation is far from over, meaning the aftermath of the accident is all we’ll see here for the time being.
The designs for all commercial and apartment buildings must first receive state approval before local building permits can be purchased.
All construction projects in Terre Haute undergo a total of five inspections before they receive what’s called a Certificate of Occupancy.
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