If no evaluation report for a new product exists, who must contact the manufacturer directly for approval information?

The correct choice is that the building official and special inspector must contact the manufacturer directly for approval information when no evaluation report for a new product exists. This situation arises because both the building official and the special inspector have specific roles in ensuring that construction materials and products meet applicable codes and standards.

The building official is responsible for enforcing building codes and must verify that materials used in construction comply with these codes. When there is no evaluation report available, reaching out directly to the manufacturer helps the building official gather necessary information about the product's compliance, performance characteristics, and approvals to ensure that safety and regulatory standards are upheld.

The special inspector also plays a crucial role in monitoring the quality and safety of construction processes. By contacting the manufacturer, the special inspector can confirm product details to ensure that they meet the specified requirements during the inspection process.

In contrast, the other roles, such as the owner, contractor, or project manager, may not have the same level of authority or responsibility regarding compliance verification and code enforcement. Their focus is generally more on the overall project execution and management rather than direct verification of product compliance with building standards.