SECTION 70.24. Criteria for Approval of Third Party Site Inspectors

(a) A person seeking approval as a third party site inspector shall submit a written application to the executive director. The application will include the following information.

(1) A resume that includes the inspector's academic and professional qualifications, experience in related areas, and relevant ICC certifications.

(2) Evidence of current ICC certifications required for approval by the council.

(3) A statement signed by the inspector certifying that:

(A) the inspector's activities pursuant to the discharge of responsibilities as a third party site inspector will not result in financial benefit to the inspector via stock ownership or other financial interests in any producer, supplier, or vendor of products involved other than through standard fees for services rendered;

(B) the inspector will consistently and uniformly implement the policies and determinations of the council with regard to interpretations of the mandatory building codes and rules;

(C) the inspector will enforce the mandatory building codes adopted by the council;

(D) all information contained in the application for approval as a third party site inspector is true, timely, and correct; and

(E) all future changes will be immediately communicated to the department.

(b) The minimum qualifications for a third party site inspector are as follows:

(1) a high school diploma or equivalent;

(2) a minimum of three years experience in building code enforcement, building inspections, or building experience. At least one year of experience shall be in the performance of building inspections;

(3) one of the following energy code certifications: certification as a residential energy inspector/plans examiner, as a commercial energy inspector, or both. The inspector must have a residential energy certification to inspect housing and a commercial energy certification to inspect buildings;

(4) one of the following code certification combinations:

(A) a residential combination inspector as granted by ICC. In lieu of a residential combination inspector the inspector may have one of each of the individual certifications that are needed for certification as a residential combination inspector, commercial combination inspector, or combination inspector. Inspectors with residential inspector certifications may only perform site inspections for industrialized housing complying with the International Residential Code; or

(B) a commercial combination inspector as granted by ICC. In lieu of a commercial combination inspector the inspector may have one of each of the individual certifications that are needed for certification as a commercial combination inspector or a combination inspector. Inspectors with a commercial inspector certification may only perform site inspections for industrialized buildings or site-built REFs; or

(C) a combination inspector as granted by ICC. In lieu of a combination inspector the inspector may have one of each of the individual certifications that are needed for certification as a combination inspector. Inspectors with this certification may perform site inspections for any industrialized housing, buildings, or site-built REFs; and

(5) ICC or NFPA certification as a fire inspector II if the inspector will perform installation inspections of industrialized housing or buildings over 75 feet in height.

Source Note: The provisions of this §70.24 adopted to be effective January 1, 2010, 34 TexReg 9409; amended to be effective March 15, 2020, 45 TexReg 1674