General Principal of Inspection

  • It is necessary to ascertain that the supplies of material made are the same as they are shown.

  • The Inspecting Officer should visit the various suppliers, inspect the quality and specifications of material with reference to the requirements.

  • Generally, material is inspected at the place of Construction site.

  • Exact nature of inspection standards should be decided before the supplies start coming on the site.

  • Inspection must be carried out promptly. Delay in pointing out the defects increases the cost.

  •  Inspection conducted should be such as to result in certain degree of control.

  • No substandard material should be used and it should not be allowed to reach the final stage.







Function of Inspection Department

It is the responsibility of the Engineer-in-Charge of Construction work to inspect the work.

Inspection at source

It is always advantageous to check the material at source so that no defective material is brought to the work site.

Inspection during the execution

It is useful to inspect the work when it is in progress, instead of inspecting the same after completion. It is always convenient to have an independent inspecting policy as it creates quality consciousness among the workers. Independent inspection should be carried out during the execution of the work.
Inspection of completed job

Before issuing the certificate of completion of construction work to the contractor, it is necessary that there should be a thorough inspection of various components of the construction work.

Inspection of Equipment and Construction Machinery

There are two types in this respect

·        Direct purchased construction machinery from suppliers.

·        By transfer from other projects or departments.


In case of direct purchase, the inspection must be carried out jointly by the representative of the supplying firm and the workshop organisation of construction work. It is necessary to take the actual trials of the supplied machinery in order to ascertain that it functions properly. In case of departmental transfer, joint inspection by the representative of the two departments is suitable.