Section 1702: New Materials
2018 Philadelphia Building Code (Chapter 17: Special Inspections and Tests)
1702.1 General
New building materials, equipment, appliances, systems or methods of construction not provided for in this code, and any material of questioned suitability proposed for use in the construction of a building or structure, shall be subjected to the tests prescribed in this chapter and in the approved rules to determine character, quality and limitations of use.
💡 Special Inspector's Commentary
Construction technology is constantly evolving, and Section 1702 is the gateway for bringing innovation into the city. When developers propose proprietary structural systems, advanced composite materials, or untested deep foundation methods that fall outside prescriptive code limits, the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) requires definitive proof of safety.
As a premier Philadelphia Structural Engineer, Viking Engineers assists project teams in navigating this approval process. We oversee the required testing protocols, verify duly authenticated research reports (such as ICC-ES Evaluation Reports), and perform the rigorous Special Inspections necessary to ensure that "alternative materials" perform exactly as engineered in the field.