CC
most contract documents will specify compliance with one code or another. if the contract documents (or perhaps notes on the contract drawings) specify that work be in conformance to a particular code, it would behoove the inspector acting in behalf of the owner or engineer to, at the very least, make note of the nonconformance as it applies to the specified code.
the owner's inspector does not typically direct work but does report to the owner or engineer, good as well as bad.
i try to think of it from the owner's or engineer's point of view; if i am paying for this project or my engineering stamp is on the documents i want it done the way i have specified; and why shouldn't i? it's my bank account or my livelihood that's on the line. if the contractor, who has agreed to perform the work as specified and signed a contract with me, is not conforming to the contract specifications, i want to know! of course i can't be at the site all the time, so i hire a qualified inspector to be my "eyes and ears" and report to me what is happening. just report to me, i will take care of any findings, good or bad, with those that signed a contract with me.
another way i think of it is buying a new vehicle; not cheap these days. if i work out the details with the dealer for a blue truck with all the bells and whistles and he tries to deliver a four door sedan, why should i have to buy that? that's not what i ordered; sell me what i ordered. right?
anyways it does behoove an inspector to report findings, good or bad, to their customer. it goes with the badge and it certainly is not a popularity contest for the inspector. but, someone has to do it to ensure that things get built the way the contract specifies, good or bad, and let the powers to be hammer out the details.
keep up the good work
ziggy