Above Ceiling Inspection Procedure Using Sample/Mock-Up Areas

SC Department of Education - Office of School Facilities
Effective October 2023

Purpose:
In accordance with Section IV of the Memorandum titled “Ongoing Updates to OSF Process & Procedures (DRAFT),” dated September 7, 2023, the OSF will conduct mock-up or designated sections of facility projects for the Above Ceiling inspection in lieu of inspecting the entire school building. The intent of using sample/mock-up inspections for above ceiling inspections are as follows:
1. To improve the efficiency of the Office of School Facilities (OSF) inspections while ensuring compliance with Codes, Standards, and the South Carolina School Facilities Planning and Construction Guide (OSF Guide)
2. To demonstrate / verify that the construction, installation, and work performed is in compliance with the Codes, Standards, and the OSF Guide, for the scope of the inspection.
3. To allow the closure of concealed areas (above ceiling) after the Chapter 1 Inspector has verified compliance for the remaining similar areas without an additional OSF inspection during construction
Design Professionals Responsibility:
1. The Design Professional (DP), either the Architect of Record (AOR) or the Engineer of Record (EOR) on the project, with assistance from the School District, General Contractor (GC), and OSF, must submit a sample / mock-up inspection area(s) plan based on the OSF approved construction drawings.
2. Deficiencies identified in the sample / mock-up areas are assumed to exist throughout all areas associated with this inspection in the entire building(s). The DP and the Chapter 1 inspector must verify that the GC has corrected these deficiencies throughout the entire building. The DP shall review the Chapter 1 Inspection Report for the sample / mock-up areas. Once they approve this report: a. The DP shall submit the Chapter 1 Inspection report to OSF. b. The DP shall submit a letter to OSF indicting all deficiencies have been corrected and the concealed spaces can be closed.
OSF Responsibility:
1. To ensure the sample / mock-up areas are in compliance with currently adopted Codes, Standards, and the OSF Guide.
2. To provide guidance for the area(s) that are appropriate for the sample / mock-up concealed areas.
3. OSF reserves the right during the final inspection to also inspect any concealed areas (above the ceiling) for the installation of systems and components that were not the subject of the sample / mock-up inspection, which primarily focused on the inspection of fire and smoke protection measures.
Important Notes:
1. The sample / mock-up areas will serve as an example for all trades to follow for the entire construction project. OSF may then re-inspect those areas during OSF’s final inspection to ensure compliance throughout.
2. Any code or OSF Guide violations / deficiencies, will be identified for correction, as indicated previously, and require re-inspection by the Chapter 1 Inspector, and subject to re-inspection by OSF during the final inspection.
OSF Requirements:
1. For this sample/mock-up inspection for the selected room(s) and or space(s), work across all disciplines/trades must be completed, inspected by the Chapter 1 Inspector, and already to be closed without additional work being performed above the ceiling.
2. All applicable Chapter 1 and 17 above the ceiling inspections related to fire and smoke protection features must have been completed for the subject areas of inspection prior to requesting the OSF inspection. This includes, but is not limited to, sprayed fire-resistant materials, mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings, and fire-resistant penetrations and joints.
3. In accordance with the OSF Guide, OSF must inspect the following areas above the ceiling prior to the closing of any rated construction and other concealed areas for inspection of fire and smoke protection measures:
  1. One example of each type of room, corridor, or other space as indicated below, that contains fire and/or smoke protection features regulated by Chapter 7 of the applicable building code, and which requires inspection and approval prior to concealment to help ensure that the integrity of the passive fire and smoke protection features is not compromised by unprotected openings, joints, through-penetrations, etc.
  2. Additional rooms or areas shall be added to ensure each applicable unique type of fire or smoke protection measure is represented during the OSF inspection. These shall include the following OSF recommended spaces, at a minimum:
    1. A typical classroom;
    2. One section / intersection of a corridor containing many trades above the ceiling;
    3. Kitchen Area; and,
    4. Other areas as requested / selected by the AOR or EOR (Auditorium, Gym, Press Box, Specialty Classroom (Science Lab, Culinary Arts, Special Education) etc.)
  3. Concealed areas subject to the sample / mock-up inspection and shall include a representation of the installation / construction of all applicable types of fire and smoke protection measures present within concealed areas for the project’s scope to allow verification of applicable IBC Chapter 7 requirements. Examples of these concealed areas consist of, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. Fire Rated Construction (Fire Walls, Fire Barriers, Fire Partitions & Horizontal Assemblies)
    2. Firewalls / rated partition with opening protectives (fire/smoke or combination dampers)
    3. Fire Dampers, Smoke Dampers, combination Fire/smoke Dampers (retaining angles, break away connections, readily accessible Access Panels/Doors)
    4. Fire Sprinkler System (Sprinkler heads, length, and radii of flexible piping, restrain and bracing of branches and main riser, penetration through walls and partitions, hangers and seismic restraints, etc.)
    5. Fire Alram System (devices, raceways, connections and supports)
    6. Other installations, as they may directly or indirectly relate to the inspection of fire and smoke protection measures, may also be subject to the inspection in the identified sample/mock-up areas, consisting of, but not limited to, the following:
      1. Ceiling Grid Installation;
      2. Light Fixtures Installation;
      3. HVAC Supply / Return diffusers and HVAC VAV boxes;
      4. Structural components (roof or floor deck penetrations, beam connections, beam perforations, web-joist, spacing and elements); and,
      5. Roof drain penetrating the roof deck or floor deck. Any/all roof decks and floor decks penetrating above the ceiling.