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IBC Chapter 17 — Materials, Testing and Inspection

Updated Apr 3, 2026
Establishes standards for materials, quality assurance testing, and inspection requirements for construction.

Chapter 17 of the International Building Code establishes requirements for materials, testing standards, and inspection procedures to ensure quality and compliance during construction. All materials must conform to standards established by organizations including ASTM International, American Institute of Steel Construction, American Concrete Institute, and National Council of the Roofing Contractors Association. Products must bear identifying marks indicating compliance with applicable standards. Third-party certification is required for many materials to verify that manufacturing processes and quality control meet standards. Concrete testing includes slump tests on fresh concrete, compressive strength testing on cylinders cured for 28 days, and acceptance of strength testing at the 50 percent mark of the specified strength. Reinforcement steel must meet specified yield strength and ductility requirements verified through mill test reports and physical testing. Welding of structural steel requires qualification of welders and inspection of welds per AWS D1.1 standards. Bolted connections require inspection to verify proper torque and installation. Masonry construction requires testing of mortar, grout, and masonry units. Wood products are inspected and graded by lumber grading agencies. Roof covering products must demonstrate wind resistance and fire ratings through testing. Gypsum drywall and fireproofing materials must be tested for fire performance. Testing agencies and special inspectors verify that construction conforms to approved plans and specifications. Building officials conduct periodic inspections at construction milestones including foundation, concrete placement, structural frame completion, mechanical systems, and final completion. Testing and inspection reports document compliance.

TAGS
ibcchapter-17materialstestinginspection
DETAILS
section
Chapter 17
category
Materials & Testing
code body
IBC
code year
2021
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