Residential Building Inspector B1General Administration, Legal, and EnforcementMedium
A residential building inspector issues a Stop Work Order (SWO) on a new single-family residence due to significant deviations from the approved plans found during a framing inspection. What is the immediate legal effect of this SWO on the construction site?
- AOnly the general contractor is prohibited from working; subcontractors may continue.
- BOnly the work related to the identified deviation must cease, while other trades can continue.
- CAll construction activity on the project, including all trades, must immediately stop.
- DThe contractor must submit revised plans within 24 hours but can continue non-structural work.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. All construction activity on the project, including all trades, must immediately stop.
A Stop Work Order, by its nature, demands an immediate cessation of all construction activities on the affected project to prevent further violations or hazardous conditions until the issues are resolved and the order is lifted.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A SWO applies to all personnel and trades working on the project, not just the general contractor.
- B. This is incorrect; a SWO typically applies to all work on the project to ensure full compliance before recommencing.
- D. Submission of revised plans is a step towards lifting the SWO, but work cannot continue until the order is officially lifted.
Stop Work Order Effect
A Stop Work Order (SWO) mandates the immediate cessation of all construction activities on a specified project until the identified violations or unsafe conditions are resolved and the order is officially lifted by the building official.
- Cessation of all work.
- Applies to all trades and personnel.
- Work cannot resume until lifted.
Memory trick: SWO means 'Stop Whatsoever Operations!'