continued until all stains and dirt are removed. The facing should then be rinsed thoroughly with clean water. Do not permit the use of wire brushes, abrasives, or metal tools because they may damage the surface, the color, the edges, and the joints.

CONCRETE FINISHES

Concrete floor finishes may be either integral with or placed separately from the structural slab and may have coloring pigment or hardening agents incorporated. You must be sure that materials and workmanship conform to the requirements specified for the type required in the project specifications. You must make sure that color pigment or integral hardener is added following the specifications or approved manufacturer's instructions.

If the finish is to be placed integrally, you must see that it is applied within the specified time limit, and to do this, you must ascertain whether the number of qualified finishers is adequate to keep pace with the rate of placing of the floor slab or that this rate is decreased.

When a separate finish is required, you must ensure that the surface of the slab is well-roughened, thoroughly cleaned of all loose material, and brushed with neat cement grout immediately before the finish is placed. Furthermore, be sure that the finishing concrete is placed at the driest practicable consistency to minimize shrinkage; that the dusting on of cement to absorb excess water is not permitted; and that the surface is floated to a true, even surface, level or slightly pitched as specified, and is troweled smooth without voids, exposed aggregate, or other visual defects. However, you should ensure that troweling is not continued to excess because checking, crazing, and excessive dusting of the finished floor may result.

Make certain that the surface is cured as directed and for the time specified. Then also make certain that surface hardening treatments, if required, are applied after the surface is thoroughly cured, using approved chemicals of the type and in the amounts specified.

Painting of concrete, stucco, and similar surfaces is done primarily for decorative purposes or for dampproofing walls. Paints usually are of white portland cement base with color but may be of an oil base. In an inspection of painting, you must be sure that the materials conform to the project specification or the referenced standard specifications. You must also determine whether surfaces are clean and free from dust, efflorescence, and other contamination and whether they are adequately cured. When portland cement paint is used, be certain that the surface is thoroughly wetted. If oil-based paints are used, ensure that the surface is thoroughly cured, pretreated as specified, and thoroughly dry.

STEEL-FRAMED CONSTRUCTION

Steel construction is used principally on shop buildings requiring relatively long-span construction and on multistory buildings for comparatively light occupancy. In most cases, factory inspection of material, fabrication, and shop assembly will have been made. The inspector must make certain that the steelwork as delivered is correctly identified, sorted, handled, and stored.

Steel Floor Framing

In the construction industry today, steel-framed systems continue to gain popularity. The material used most often is light-gauge galvanized steel. The steel floor framing methods are similar to the wood-framed systems and the two are interchangeable.

As the inspector, you must give special attention to the alignment and plumbing of columns and posts. Joists, beams (usually wide-flanged), and girders must be level and set at the prescribed distance below the finished floor. You must ensure that all steel is held and adequately braced by clips, brackets, ties, and anchors until the steel can be riveted or welded. The inspector must be certain that adequate erection bolts are used to hold all joining surfaces tightly together at joints and to hold the assembled steel in alignment. You must also make sure that mismatched holes are drilled or reamed and not drifted.

On welded work, the inspector must ensure the following:

That suitable electrodes are used, as specified.

That all base metal at welds is cleaned, brought into correct position, and clamped or backed up as necessary.

That welds are made in the approved sequence to minimize internal stresses and distortion.

That welds are of satisfactory quality, length, and size.

That the parent metal is not damaged.