Boeing plant inspectors on call

Boeing Co. has run into countless obstacles in trying to build those 787 Dreamliner jets.

But one issue hasn't seemed to cross its path: getting North Charleston building inspectors to approve construction at the $750 million plant at Charleston International Airport.

North Charleston building director Darbis Briggman said his staff of 10 inspectors are on call 24 hours a day for the project's general contractor, BE&K/Turner Joint Venture. He estimates they visit the site every other day.

And that's in addition to the inspections done by an outside engineering company: S&ME Inc.

Briggman said local building codes allow third-party specialists to inspect and sign off on parts of a structure that are beyond the city's scope of knowledge.

The extra cost is assumed by the company, not the city.

Outside inspectors have had to examine about 75 percent of the building's frame, such as some of the welding work and bolt patterns. City staffers have been called on to approve more basic construction work, such as the foundation and drywall.

Reach Katy Stech at 937-5549.