Special Inspections for Building Enclosures
Special Inspections are a required part of the construction process, especially for building enclosures. Unlike regular inspections, they’re mandated by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and essential to securing a Certificate of Occupancy. They’re also a critical safety net: if something goes wrong down the line, the Special Inspection record helps track when, how, and why it happened.
CANY is an IAS-accredited Special Inspection Agency, qualified to inspect wall panels, curtain walls, masonry, veneers, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), and combustible exterior wall coverings. We take our role seriously, providing impartial, experienced oversight with a focus on clear communication and collaboration.
This service supports:
Building owners and developers
Architects and enclosure consultants
Contractors, construction managers and manufacturers
Want to discuss Special Inspections for your project?
Why Special Inspections for Building Enclosures Matters
Building enclosures involve multiple systems that need to come together in the right sequence, with approved materials, and to exacting standards. That’s where Special Inspections make a real difference.
What’s at Risk?
Construction missteps can lead to:
Substitution of non-approved materials
Incorrect installation or detailing
Work performed out of sequence
These issues can compromise performance and delay DOB closeout.
How Special Inspections Help
Special Inspections create a record of performance throughout the project. When done well, they don’t just check a box, they help identify risk, resolve issues early, and move the project toward a smoother sign-off.
CANY’s Involvement
CANY takes a hands-on, practical approach to Special Inspections. We're not just flagging-up problems, we're here to help the project succeed.
We review all relevant documentation and coordinate with the full project team to clarify what’s required under the Special Inspection scope. Our focus is on identifying non-conforming work early and resolving it before it becomes a bigger issue.
As an accredited Special Inspection Agency with the IAS and NYC DOB, we take our obligations seriously. It sharpens our technical expertise, strengthens our work as enclosure consultants, and supports professional development by offering valuable mentoring opportunities across our team.
All supplemental special inspectors are qualified project managers, working under licensed architects and engineers.
What to expect:
Step 1: Review project documents, approved materials, and scope of required inspections
Step 2: Coordinate early with the team to clarify expectations
Step 3: Conduct field inspections throughout construction
Step 4: Document and flag any non-conforming work
Step 5: Work with contractors to close out issues
Step 6: Final sign-off and submission of TR-1 to DOB
Key Benefits
Why Choose CANY for Special Inspections?
Accredited by NYC DOB and the International Accreditation Service
Inspection scope includes masonry, wall panels, curtain walls, veneers and more
Proactive, collaborative approach to keep projects on track
Experienced inspectors with field-tested knowledge
Clear, consistent documentation throughout
Full support from kickoff to TR-1 sign-off
FAQ
What’s the difference between a Building Enclosure Inspection and a Special Inspection?
Special Inspections are DOB-mandated and tied to code compliance. Building Enclosure Inspections are broader and focused on performance and design intent.
When should Special Inspections start?
Ideally, before the first system is installed—so we can ensure required approvals are in place prior to commencement of work and track compliance throughout. We’re happy to get involved earlier to support planning.
Who coordinates Special Inspections?
Typically the building owner or construction manager, but we work with all parties to make the process straightforward.
What if a problem is found?
We document the issue, share it with the project team, and work toward a practical solution to keep things moving.
