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Statement of Special Inspections (SSI): what it must include, plus a free template

Direct answer: A Statement of Special Inspections is the document that lists every special inspection and test a project needs. It also says whether each one is continuous or periodic and which agency will do it. Under the IBC, the registered design professional (RDP) in responsible charge prepares it, and the applicant submits it as a condition of getting the permit (IBC 2024 §1704.2.3 and §1704.3). Section 1704.3.1 sets six required contents, which the template below follows field by field.

Code text note: section numbers below are from the 2024 IBC (ICC official, Chapter 17; readable text via UpCodes, IBC 2024 Ch. 17). Your jurisdiction may enforce an older edition or a local amendment, and item numbers shift between editions. For example, San José's 2019 CBC form puts wind at §1705.11 (City of San José Form #345), while IBC 2024 uses §1705.12. Always use the form your building department publishes.

What is a Statement of Special Inspections?

A special inspection is "inspection of construction requiring the expertise of an approved special inspector in order to ensure compliance with this code and the approved construction documents" (IBC 2024 Ch. 2 definitions). The Statement of Special Inspections is the project-specific list of those inspections and tests. It is built from IBC §1705 and the construction documents.

These special inspections are in addition to the building official's own inspections under IBC Section 110 (IBC 2024 §1704.2).

Who prepares, submits, and pays for it

RoleDutySource
RDP in responsible chargePrepares the SSI where §1705 requires special inspections or tests. A qualified person approved by the building official may prepare it for work not designed by an RDP.IBC 2024 §1704.3
ApplicantSubmits the SSI as a condition for permit issuanceIBC 2024 §1704.2.3
Owner or owner's authorized agent (not the contractor)Employs the approved agencies and identifies them to the building official. The contractor may employ them only where the contractor is also the owner.IBC 2024 §1704.2
Contractor building a wind- or seismic-force-resisting system or component listed in the SSISubmits a written statement of responsibility to the building official and owner before starting that workIBC 2024 §1704.4
Approved agencyKeeps records and sends reports to the building official and the RDP. Flags discrepancies to the contractor right away. Submits a final report.IBC 2024 §1704.2.4

When an SSI is not required

IBC 2024 §1704.2.3 exempts portions of structures built under the cold-formed steel light-frame provisions (§2206.1.2) or the conventional light-frame provisions (§2308). Section 1704.2 also lets the building official waive special inspections for "construction of a minor nature," and for Group U occupancies accessory to a residential occupancy unless the official requires them (source).

The six things every SSI must identify (IBC §1704.3.1)

Per IBC 2024 §1704.3.1, the statement shall identify:

  1. The materials, systems, components and work that require special inspections or tests.
  2. The type and extent of each special inspection.
  3. The type and extent of each test.
  4. Additional special inspections or tests for seismic or wind resistance per §§1705.12, 1705.13 and 1705.14.
  5. For each special inspection, whether it is continuous, periodic, or follows the notation in the referenced standard.
  6. Deferred submittal items that need a supplemental statement of special inspections.

Two more rules apply when wind or seismic inspections are triggered:

Continuous vs. periodic

TermIBC definitionSource
Continuous special inspectionThe special inspector "is present continuously when and where the work to be inspected is being performed."IBC 2024 Ch. 2
Periodic special inspectionThe special inspector "is intermittently present where the work to be inspected has been or is being performed."IBC 2024 Ch. 2

How to prepare a Statement of Special Inspections (step by step)

  1. Confirm the code edition and the local form. Many jurisdictions require their own SSI form. Examples: Philadelphia SI-001, San José Form #345, SF DBI form. NYC uses DOB forms (the TR1); see the NYC guide. Who signs each city form, and when it is due, is in the special inspection forms guide.
  2. Walk §1705 against the construction documents. Go through steel (§1705.2), concrete (§1705.3), masonry (§1705.4), wood (§1705.5), soils (§1705.6), deep foundations (§§1705.7–1705.10), fabricated items (§1705.11), and then the fire-protection and envelope items (§§1705.15–1705.20) (IBC 2024 §1705).
  3. Check the wind and seismic triggers. IBC 2024 §1705.12 requires wind special inspections in wind Exposure Category B where the basic design wind speed V is 150 mph or more, and in Exposure C or D where V is 140 mph or more. Seismic triggers are in §§1705.13–1705.14 (source).
  4. Fill in one row per inspection or test. For each row, enter the item, the code section, the referenced standard, continuous or periodic, and the agency. The code tables already give continuous/periodic for many items. For example, IBC Table 1705.3 item 6 (fabricating strength specimens and running slump, air content, and temperature) is continuous, under ASTM C31, ASTM C172, and ACI 318 26.5 and 26.12.
  5. List deferred submittals that will need a supplemental statement, such as items designed later by delegated engineers (§1704.3.1 item 6).
  6. Decide on structural observation. §1704.6.1 requires structural observation for Risk Category III or IV, for high-rise buildings, for Seismic Design Category E structures over two stories, and wherever the RDP or building official requires it (source).
  7. Collect signatures and submit with the permit application. Get the contractor statements of responsibility (§1704.4) before the wind- or seismic-resisting work starts.
  8. Agree on reporting cadence and the final report. Reports go out "at frequencies required by the approved construction documents or building official." The final report is due "at a point in time agreed upon prior to the start of work" (§1704.2.4).

Free Statement of Special Inspections template

Download: Statement of Special Inspections template (CSV). It opens in Excel or Google Sheets. The rows below are the field list. The CSV also pre-fills sample schedule rows from IBC 2024 Tables 1705.3 and 1705.6. Delete the rows that don't apply.

Part A — Project and parties

FieldWhat to enterCode basis
Project name / address / permit or plan-check no.As on the permit application—
Code edition enforcede.g., "2024 IBC as adopted by ___"Local adoption
Owner or owner's authorized agentThe party that employs the agencies§1704.2
RDP in responsible charge (name, license, seal)The preparer of the statement§1704.3
Approved agency(ies) and testing lab(s)Name, contact, scope, accreditation§1704.2, §1704.2.1
Special inspector qualification documentationSubmitted before construction starts§1704.2.1
Report distribution and frequencyBuilding official + RDP, at agreed frequency§1704.2.4
Final report timingAgreed before work starts§1704.2.4

Part B — Schedule of special inspections and tests (one row per item)

ColumnExample (from IBC 2024 Table 1705.3, item 6)
Material / system / workCast-in-place concrete
IBC section / table item§1705.3, Table 1705.3 item 6
Inspection or test (type and extent)Fabricate strength specimens; slump, air content and temperature tests before placement
Continuous / Periodic / per standardContinuous
Referenced standardASTM C31, ASTM C172, ACI 318 26.5, 26.12
Agency / lab[agency name]
Spec section (project manual)e.g., 03 30 00
Notes—

Part C — Wind, seismic, deferred submittals, structural observation

FieldCode basis
Main windforce-resisting systems and wind-resisting components subject to SI§1704.3.3, §1705.12
Seismic force-resisting systems and designated seismic systems subject to SI§1704.3.2, §1705.13
Seismic tests / certificates of compliance§1705.14, §1704.5
Deferred submittal items requiring a supplemental SSI§1704.3.1(6)
Structural observation required? (Y/N, reason, observer)§1704.6, §1704.6.1
Contractor statement(s) of responsibility received§1704.4

Part D — Signatures

The RDP in responsible charge prepares the statement, and the applicant submits it. Local forms often add more signatures. San José's Form #345 has signature lines for the RDP, the owner, the contractor, the testing agency, and the building official (source). Philadelphia requires the DPRC-SI to sign and seal the form (L&I Special Inspections Program 2023).

Common SSI mistakes to avoid

MistakeWhy it mattersSource
Having the contractor hire the special inspectorThe owner or owner's agent (other than the contractor) employs approved agencies, unless the contractor is the owner§1704.2
Leaving out continuous/periodic designationsRequired content under §1704.3.1 item 5§1704.3.1
Forgetting deferred submittalsEach one needs a supplemental statement§1704.3.1
Covering work before it's inspectedWork must remain accessible and exposed until the special inspections or tests are complete§1704.2.2
Using the model-code form where the city has its ownCities such as Philadelphia, San José and San Francisco publish their own formsPhiladelphia SI-001, San José Form #345, SF DBI form; city forms guide

Where the SSI meets the GC's quality plan

The SSI belongs to the owner and RDP. The general contractor's QC team still has to schedule the work around it, give notice to inspectors, and close out every line. The USACE/NAVFAC guide spec, for example, tells the contractor to "coordinate scheduled work with Special Inspections required by… the Statement of Special Inspections" in its QC plan (UFGS 01 45 00). Most teams do this in an inspection and test plan (ITP); see our ITP guide and template.

FAQ

What is a statement of special inspections?

It is the project-specific list of required special inspections and tests. For each one it states the type and extent, whether it is continuous or periodic, and which approved agency performs it. The RDP in responsible charge prepares it, and it is submitted as a condition of the building permit (IBC 2024 §§1704.2.3, 1704.3).

Who signs the statement of special inspections?

Under the IBC, the registered design professional in responsible charge prepares it and the applicant submits it. Local forms often add signatures: San José's form also has lines for the owner, contractor, testing agency and building official (Form #345).

Who pays for special inspections, the owner or the contractor?

The IBC requires the owner or the owner's authorized agent, other than the contractor, to employ the approved agencies. A contractor may do so only when it is also the owner (IBC 2024 §1704.2).

What is the difference between continuous and periodic special inspection?

In continuous inspection, the inspector is present the whole time the work is performed. In periodic inspection, the inspector is there intermittently (IBC 2024 Ch. 2).

What will most likely require a special inspection?

The work types in IBC §1705: structural steel, concrete, masonry, certain wood construction, soils, deep foundations, fabricated items, wind- and seismic-resisting systems where triggered, sprayed fire-resistive materials (SFRM), intumescent fire-resistive materials, EIFS, fire-resistant penetrations and joints, smoke control, and sealing of mass timber (IBC 2024 §1705).

Is a statement of special inspections required for a house?

Generally no, for portions built under the conventional light-frame provisions of §2308 or the cold-formed steel light-frame provisions of §2206.1.2 (IBC 2024 §1704.2.3). Engineered elements and local rules can still trigger it, so check with your building department.

Turn the spec into the inspection plan your SSI depends on

SpecProven reads the project manual, splits it by CSI section, and drafts each field test as a plan line with its standard, frequency, acceptance criteria, and source paragraph. When a section is silent on a usual IBC Chapter 17 special inspection, it adds a note (how it works). It does not write or sign your Statement of Special Inspections; that remains the RDP's document. After the plan is built, SpecProven matches incoming inspection reports to the plan lines they prove. A paid pilot is $2,900 to start and covers four projects, then $500 per project per month after the four included. See pricing.

Sources