Special Inspection and Construction Quality

International building code (IBC) adopted by the building departments of States and Cities have mandated performance of quality inspections adhering to the Subchapter 17, Special Inspections. When QA/QC services are correctly planned and implemented, they can protect all involved parties from costly mistakes, accelerate the construction process, and reduce future maintenance costs.

DESI is NYC DOB approved and A2LA accredited (Certificate No. 4048.01) Class I – Special Inspection Agency operating in compliance with ASTM E329 and ISO 17020 standards. DESI provides the design/planning/construction team and the owner with critical information required to ensure the quality of the construction and code compliance using certified professionals with expertise in construction materials and testing.

Our qualified staff with diverse construction experience and knowledge review project drawings and specifications, schedule and fee estimates, and applicable laws and health and safety requirements to get familiarized with the project scope, budget, and requirements. We are also able to identify potential risks and rewards and make necessary recommendations to reduce risks. Our SI staff serve as a liaison between the owner, designer, and contractor assisting in ensuring the construction projects are completed adhering to the specifications and drawings. DESI has been supporting various Infrastructure projects of bridges and tunnels, Roadways, Railroad, Subway, water/sewer, waterfront structures, treatment plants, etc., working closely with the owners as well as project management consultants (PMC).

DESI provides construction material testing and consulting services utilizing its accredited North Brunswick, NJ laboratory. Distinct Engineering Solutions’ North Brunswick, NJ laboratory is accredited by the AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP) for soil, concrete, masonry, and quality management systems. You can view our current accreditation status in the official AASHTO Accreditation Directory

DESI is prequalified/approved by several NY City and State Agencies and is providing engineering services on projects for NYCDDC, NYC DEP, NYSCA, NYCHA, NYC EDC; NYC DOT, DASNY, NYSDOL, PANYNJ, MTA Capital Constructions, MTA NYCT, MTA Metro-North, MTA LIRR; NJ Turnpike Authority, NJ DOT, NJ SDA, etc.

We provide broad Special Inspection and Construction Administration services in the following areas:

  • Concrete – Cast-in-place, Precast & Pre-stressed
  • Concrete Lab Testing
  • Construction Documents and Specs
  • Construction Inspection
  • Construction Management
  • Construction Oversight
  • Energy Code Compliance
  • Engineering Support
  • Excavation – Sheeting, Shoring and Bracing
  • Exterior Insulation & Finish Systems (EIFS)
  • Fire Proofing & Fire Stopping
  • Fuel Oil Storage & Fuel Oil Piping Systems
  • Heating, Sprinkler, & Standpipe Systems
  • Masonry & Chimney
  • Mechanical & Smoke Control Systems
  • Mechanical Demolition
  • Non-Destructive Testing of Structural Steel
  • On site Storm water drain. Disp./Detent install (drywell)
  • Percolation Testing for private sewage disp. (septic)
  • Pile Foundations and Drilled Pier Installation
  • Pile Integrity Testing
  • Pre-Construction Survey
  • Project coordination and Tracking
  • Review of bid documents and qualifications
  • Rock Anchor and Bolt Testing
  • Seismic Isolation Systems
  • Soil Nails and Anchors
  • Soil Percolation Testing for storm water system (drywell)
  • Soil Testing (Gradation, Atterberg Limits, Proctor, Consolidation, etc.)
  • Soils – Site Preparation Fill Placement, In-place Density
  • Sprayed Fire-resistant Materials
  • Static and Dynamic Load Testing
  • Structural Cold-formed Steel
  • Structural Stability – Existing Building
  • Structural Steel – Erection & High-Strength Bolting
  • Underpinning, Pier Foundations
  • Verification of on-site health and safety measures
  • Wall panels, curtain walls, and veneers
  • Welding: Steel, High pressure Steam Piping, High pressure Gas Piping

MTA-CC/NYCT – Subway 7 Line Extension-Site K and L, Manhattan, NY

Metropolitan Transportation Authority / New York City Transit had undertaken an infrastructure redevelopment plan for NYC to improve the subway system along the west side of Manhattan. CCA-Halmar JV and Scalamandre Oliveira JV were contracted for the construction of a Ventilation Building Facilities (Site L and K) and reconstruction of 11th Avenue between West 35th and 36th Streets (Site K). DESI provided construction inspection services for support of excavation construction, tie-back anchor testing, rebar, grout and mortar, and concrete inspections; foundation subgrade verification, fill placement, firestopping, steel bolting, and seismic clips inspection; building exterior wall and veneer, pressure grouting, steel welding, steel fabrication facility inspections, and etc. Furthermore DESI performed pre- and post-construction surveys, vibration, air, and noise monitoring, and environmental management.

Construction Management Services in Connection with Progress and Special Inspection

DESI was retained by the New York City School Construction Authority (NYSCA) to provide Special Inspection services for more than 30 schools throughout the Bronx. As an ISO/ASTM compliant Class 1 Inspection Agency in the City of New York, DESI’s experienced professional personnel provided the client with the highest quality, total coordination, and control of project costs and schedules from inception to completion. Special Inspection services for NYSCA include the performance of concrete, masonry, and rebar inspections on existing and new school sites and steel bolting and welding inspections in boiler rooms of existing schools in 24 hour shifts to repair faulty boiler units; and masonry inspections.

PANYNJ – Goethals Bridge Replacement

PANYNJ – Goethals Bridge Replacement
Kiewit Weeks Massman JV (KWM) retained DESI to perform Quality Control services and provide oversight of work performed by KWM. DESI provided qualified quality control personnel for concrete, rebar, and steel inspections.
Strength testing for concrete and grout, as well as gradations and proctor (standard and modified) tests for soils, were performed through DESI’s in-house and partner laboratories.
Additional project services included soil compaction field inspections, concrete water penetration testing, Schmidt hammer testing, and concrete chloride penetration testing, all conducted in accordance with project specifications.