New Construction Inspection Unit

The New Construction Inspection Unit inspects all new, altered or renovated residential and commercial construction for minimum compliance of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Inspection disciplines include: Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical. Multiple project specific inspection programs are available to assist customers: Traditional, Third-party and Special-inspections.

Supervisor
Pete Mensinger
703.746.4210
pete.mensinger@alexandriava.gov

Staff Directory

Hours of Operation:  Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Minimum Required Inspections (per USBC) 
• Scheduling Inspections
• Procedures for a Successful Inspection
• Obtaining Inspection Results
• Third-Party Inspection Program
• Special Inspection Program

Minimum Required Inspections (per USBC):  

1. Inspection of footing excavations and reinforcement material (steel reinforcement) for concrete footings prior to placement of concrete
2. Inspection of foundation systems during phases of construction necessary to assure compliance with the Virginia USBC
3. Inspection of preparatory work prior to placement of concrete
4. Inspection of structural members and fasteners prior to concealment
5. Inspection of electrical, mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing materials, equipment and systems prior to concealment
6. Inspection of energy conservation materials (insulation) prior to concealment
7. Final inspection (once all work is complete)

Note:

• The permit holder/property owner is responsible for requesting all required inspections
• Each issued permit must receive an approved final inspection
• Third-party inspections are not permitted, unless approved by the building official prior to permit issuance
• Photographs taken prior to concealing the work will not be an accepted alternative to the above required inspections

Scheduling Inspections

Call the ACCESS automated system, 703.838.4900, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  With this system you can schedule, reschedule and cancel inspections.
You can also obtain results once an inspection has been completed.  Note - to use ACCESS, you will need is a touch-tone phone and the project permit number.  If ACCESS is unavailable, please call 703.746.4200 for assistance during business hours.

Procedures for a Successful Inspection

1.  Verify your scheduled inspection

• Daily Inspection Viewer
• Verify the inspection type and date scheduled
• Name and phone number of the assigned inspector
• Inspection results
• Permit Tracker
  • View permit history, including scheduled inspections
    Note:  this is not 'real-time' and some information may not be indicated

2.  Coordinate scheduled inspection time-frames

• Remote Start Program allow the customer the ability to coordinate inspection time-frames with the assign inspector
  Note: inspectors may not be able to give a definitive arrival time for the scheduled inspection due to daily workloads and types of scheduled inspections 

3.  Provide the required minimum inspection documents at the project location:

• Approved plans
• Posted construction address
• Posted permits
  

Obtaining Inspection Results

• Use Daily Inspection Viewer to view completed inspection results
• Call the ACCESS automated system, 703.838.4900, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If ACCESS is unavailable, please call 703.746.4200 for assistance during business hours. Note - to use ACCESS  you will need is a touch-tone phone and the project permit number. 

Third-Party Inspection Program  

Third-party inspections are those minimum inspections required by the USBC, Refer to Minimum Required Inspections (per USBC), but as an alternative to city inspectors conducted by an approved third-party inspector(s) acting as the building official’s agent. Qualified third-party agent(s) must submit sufficient documentation, prior to permit issuance, demonstrating each inspector’s competence and qualifications in each intended construction discipline. The building official reviews and approves agents on a discretionary basis.

• Third Party Inspection Procedures 

Special Inspection Program

Special Inspections are inspections required by the 2006 IBC, sec. 1704 “Special Inspections”.  These inspections require special competence, qualifications and expertise in a specific construction discipline (examples: steel welded connections, post-tensioned concrete, approved proprietary systems). Prior to permit issuance, Qualified special inspector(s) must submit sufficient documentation (Statement of Special Inspections and Inspector(s) qualification resume(s), demonstrating each inspector’s competence and qualifications in each intended construction or operation discipline. The building official reviews and approves agents on a discretionary basis.

• Special Inspections Guidelines & Procedures