Building Inspection

Before a building can be occupied by people, it must go through a rigorous building inspection.  This inspection is designed to be certain that the building is safe for people to live in, work in, and shop in.  Much like a traditional home inspection, a building inspection is performed by a certified, licensed inspector who has been trained to know exactly what to look for.  This inspector is also up to date on the latest code guidelines, so they are certain the building meets the minimal safety standards.  Some of the elements of a building inspection include checking the electrical components/wiring, heating and air conditioning, structure (ensuring it is structurally sound), fire escape routs, indoor air quality, and lots more.  All of these checks are in place to make sure that a building is safe for all who inhabit it.  Many times, a large building inspection may take several inspectors to complete, since construction companies are usually on deadlines to get their buildings completed, and construction is not considered finished until it passes inspection.

A building inspection must be performed by qualified individuals who know what to look for.  They must have a license and present it whenever performing an inspection.  Different inspections may fall under different rules and regulations.  For example, some codes may be specific to one particular region, while others may be national.  It depends on the level of the building inspection and which element is being looked at, in most cases.  Once a building inspection is finished and the builder has “passed”, the building can then be open to the public or ready for a homeowner to occupy, depending on the type of building.  Luckily these standards and practices are there to help protect the public from potential injury or even loss of life in extreme cases.