The construction industry has to adhere to stringent regulations, building codes, and international laws. Failure to meet the compliance needs can put an ongoing project on halt or force the government to demolish the building with immediate effect. One such regulation that every construction project has to pass is the building safety inspection. It can be done during the construction phase or post-completion when the property will be handed over to the owners. In fact, buyers often request a thorough check of the buildings during resell events.
Truth be told, the main purpose of building safety inspections is not just to ensure adherence to the construction standards but also to verify if the property is in good condition for further use or not. Since safety inspections have become a common phenomenon, construction companies, real estate agents, and property owners must know the ins and outs. Only then they will be able to ensure the construction project can be completed seamlessly with no hurdle or the investments in a real estate property won’t go down the drain.
Types of Building Safety Inspections
There are different types of building safety inspection methods being carried out across the construction industry. It’s imperative to know these classifications and what they entail before conducting one. At least, then you will be prepared to deal with the reports and make any further modifications in the construction project or the MEP systems.
With this being said, we have briefly explained the five major classifications of building safety inspection that you should be aware of.
- Pre-purchase inspection: As the name implies, a pre-purchase inspection process will help buyers know the potential problems in a property and assist them in making a well-informed decision. For instance, the pre-purchase inspection report usually lists all the repairs and renovations that have to be made to make the building habitable or usable.
- Electrical and plumbing inspection: Every building needs to undergo a thorough check for the electrical and plumbing systems. From checking if the water supply is blocked or running smoothly to verifying the electrical protections of outlets and main circuit boards, this inspection process identifies the gaps in the electrical and plumbing infrastructures of different properties.
- Structural inspection: When it comes to structural inspection, professionals check the safety and strength of various structures involved in the property, like the foundation, frames made of wood, steel, or any other material, pillars, windows, doors, and many more. They also verify if the walls or roofs are subjected to mold infestation, appropriateness of ventilation, and several other such parameters related to the overall structural integrity and strength.
- Environmental inspection: One of the major types of building safety inspections is environmental inspection where it is checked if the property has any negative impact on nature or not. For instance, professionals check if the paints done on the wall have lead or not, which can threaten life by lead poisoning. They also verify if the roofs have asbestos in them since it has been considered one of the most harmful substances for the respiratory system.
Key Components Assessed During Inspections
Every building safety inspection report will highlight a few components of any property, be it a residential villa or a commercial space. With this being said, below we have mentioned the main elements that are checked in a comprehensive safety inspection routine.
- Structural integrity and durability of the foundation and frames
- MEP or Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems
- Fire safety systems including positioning of extinguishers, fire escapes, firewalls, and many more
- Quality and compliance of the building materials, including roofing shingles, wall paints, concrete, aggregate, resin flooring, and many more
- Energy efficiency standards being followed along with the compliance adherence to eco-friendly and sustainability rules and regulations
- Regulatory compliance of the building with the international building code, municipal laws, and other legal matters
The Inspection Process
The entire building safety inspection process can be segregated into multiple phases, where each needs to be executed chronologically. Below we have described the entire process of inspecting building safety in brief for your better understanding.
- Scheduling and notification: First of all, a notice will be sent to the building owner or property manager about the upcoming building safety inspection where all the details, like date, time, and other parameters will be mentioned. It is their responsibility to make the necessary preparations, especially for accessing the properties.
- Pre-inspection preparation: The most important step of the inspection process is to arrange the documents regarding the property, maintenance reports, renovations and repairs, and other such events before the actual check begins. Also, all the sites should be freed and made accessible so that they won’t create a hindrance for the building inspectors.
- On-site inspection: Every licensed building inspector uses a specific checklist depending on special requests and the type of inspection to be conducted. For instance, if the initial request made was for structural inspection, professionals will put more focus on assessing the strength and structural integrity of the roofs, floors, foundations, frames, and other such parts.
- Documentation and reporting: Once the building safety inspection is over, the inspector will curate a detailed report, highlighting any findings, assessment of the property’s safety and structural integrity, and any corrective measure that has to be taken at the earliest.
Common Issues Identified
Some of the major issues which are mostly identified and detected during building safety inspections are:
- Water leaking from the roof
- Issues with the plumbing system
- Inappropriate electrical safety
- Increased vibrations in the frames
- Cracks in windows and doors
- Improper ventilation in the attic or basement
- Mold infestation in the walls along with dampness
- Blocked fire escapes
- Problems with the built-in HVC systems
- Clutters in the kitchen area that could risk the safety
Role of Building Inspectors
Building inspectors play a crucial role in conducting building safety inspection for any property within a community or a state, depending on the permit of their professional license. They thoroughly inspect the properties for any significant damage, hidden issues, underlying problems with the MEP systems, and several other parameters. Once the inspection is conducted, they will prepare a full-fledged report, highlighting the major issues with the properties and also describing their initial findings. The reports on building safety inspections are considered to be paramount for buyers, real estate agents, and even construction companies since they can make well-informed decisions about investing in the property.
Benefits of Regular Building Safety Inspections
It’s important to understand the benefits of conducting regular building safety inspection so that you can avoid facing any compliance or legal issues later on once the inspection report is submitted.
- Regular inspections can highlight any damage that needs to be addressed immediately.
- Issues like blocked drainage or improper electrical safety can be detected at an early stage, thereby reducing disruptions in daily life.
- Building inspection conducted regularly offers a sense of security and peace to the occupants,
- Property owners and managers can stay compliant with different regulations and international building standards by following the reports of building safety inspection.
Conclusion
Now that we have highlighted the ins and outs of building safety inspection, including the process, classifications, importance, and other details, you won’t have to worry about being in the dark for too long. With this brief illustration, you can easily determine if a regular or periodic inspection will be better for your property in terms of resale value, compliance with legal standards, and other such parameters or not.
FAQs
What is a building safety inspection?
In textbook terms, building safety inspection is a process where professionals will check the property for its structural integrity, potential issues with the MEP system, underlying safety hazards, and other such details.
Why are building inspections important?
Inspecting buildings is crucial for the safety of the occupants, maintaining the high resale value, preventing any major accident, and remaining compliant with the international building codes.
What are the main areas checked during an inspection?
The main areas that are usually included in building safety inspection are the living area, roof, exterior walls, garages, basement and attic, and kitchen.
How often should buildings be inspected?
Although it’s better to conduct regular inspections for any building, one can also arrange for periodic inspection depending on the necessity.