TR1 & TR8 special and progress inspections in New York City
The NYC Building Code requires the owner to retain a Special Inspection Agency to inspect the work during construction (BC 1704.1), and the agency must be independent of the contractors whose work it inspects (BC 1704.1.1.2). The city also requires progress inspections to confirm that the project is built to the Energy Conservation Code (1 RCNY 5000-01). The first set is listed on the TR1 and the second on the TR8.
Grant Engineering performs both. We are an accredited Class 1 Special Inspection Agency (IAS SIA-340-NY), the class the city requires for new major buildings (1 RCNY 101-06). We perform the full range of TR1 inspections listed below, and on major buildings the inspections on our accredited scope. We inspect the work, report on it, and sign off the TR1 and TR8 so your project can close out.
TR1 special inspections
All structural TR1s, including but not limited to:
- Structural steel: welding (BC 1705.2.1)
- Structural steel: details (BC 1705.2.2)
- Structural steel: high-strength bolting (BC 1705.2.3)
- Cold-formed steel construction (BC 1705.2.6)
- Concrete: cast-in-place (BC 1705.3)
- Masonry (BC 1705.4)
- Structural wood framing (BC 1705.5)
- Post-installed anchors (BC 1705.37)
- Structural stability of existing buildings (BC 1705.25.1)
All geotechnical and foundation TR1s, including but not limited to:
- Subsurface investigations: borings and test pits (BC 1705.6, TR4)
- Subgrade inspection (BC 1705.6)
- Deep foundation elements (BC 1705.7, TR5)
- Helical piles (BC 1705.9, TR5H)
- Excavations: sheeting, shoring and bracing (BC 1705.25.3)
- Underpinning and alternate methods of support (BC 1705.25.4, BC 1817.10)
All fire-protection and fire-resistant construction TR1s, including but not limited to:
- Sprayed fire-resistant materials (BC 1705.14)
- Mastic and intumescent fire-resistant coatings (BC 1705.15)
- Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS)
- Fire-resistant penetrations and joints, or firestopping (BC 1705.17)
- Smoke control systems (BC 1705.18)
- Sprinkler systems (BC 1705.29)
- Standpipe systems (BC 1705.30)
All mechanical TR1s, including but not limited to:
- Mechanical systems (BC 1705.21)
- Heating systems (BC 1705.31)
Site and general TR1s, including but not limited to:
- Tenant protection plan compliance (BC 1705.26)
- Storm water drainage systems (BC 1705.27)
TR1 progress inspections, including but not limited to:
- Footings and foundations
- Fire-resistance-rated construction
- Flood zone compliance
- Public assembly emergency lighting
TR8 energy code compliance progress inspections
All Energy Code Compliance (ECC) TR8s for the building envelope, including but not limited to:
- Protection of exposed foundation insulation
- Insulation placement and R-values
- Fenestration and door U-factor and product ratings
- Fenestration air leakage and fenestration areas
- Air barrier: visual inspection and testing
- Vestibules
All ECC TR8s for mechanical and service water heating systems, including but not limited to:
- HVAC-R and service water heating equipment
- HVAC-R and service water heating system controls
- Piping design and insulation
- Duct leakage testing, insulation and design
- Shutoff dampers
- Ventilation and air distribution systems
- Fireplaces
All ECC TR8s for lighting and power, including but not limited to:
- Lighting in dwelling units
- Interior and exterior lighting power
- Lighting controls
- Metering
- Electrical motors and elevators
Other ECC TR8s
- Maintenance information
- Permanent certificate
- Electric vehicle service equipment
Common questions
Who hires the special inspector?
The owner (BC 1704.1).
What is the difference between TR1 and TR8?
TR1 covers special inspections under Chapter 17 of the Building Code, such as structure, foundations and fire-resistant construction. TR8 covers compliance with the Energy Conservation Code. Many projects need both, and one agency can perform both.
When should I call?
Before the work starts. The required inspections are listed on the TR1 and TR8 when the job is filed, and each one has to be seen at the right stage of construction. Work may not be covered until the required inspection has been made (1 RCNY 5000-01(g)(7)). Foundation insulation, for example, is inspected before backfill.
Which energy code applies to my project?
Applications filed through March 29, 2026 fall under the 2020 NYC Energy Conservation Code. Applications filed on or after March 30, 2026 fall under the 2025 code.
What do I receive?
A report for each inspection, a record of any item that does not conform to the approved drawings, and the signed TR1 and TR8 when the inspections are complete.
What if something fails?
We tell the contractor and the design team what does not conform. Our project managers also have design experience and can help the design applicant resolve it.
Code references
NYC Building Code Chapter 17, Special Inspections and Tests: Sections 1704.1 and 1705. 1 RCNY 101-06, Special Inspectors and Special Inspection Agencies. 1 RCNY 5000-01, subdivision (h), Tables I (residential) and II (commercial). DOB TR8 form. NYC Energy Conservation Code, DOB. IAS accreditation SIA-340-NY.
Related services
Geotechnical investigations and reports · Foundation and excavation design · Construction monitoring
Request a proposal
Send us the TR1 and TR8, or the approved drawings, and we will price the inspections your job needs.