I have discussed the different types of building inspectors available for a building owner to choose from in my previous articles. These are the building inspectors employed by local governments like cities, counties, and states to inspect buildings for sale or rental. There are other types of inspection companies that are also available to provide these services as well. These inspectors generally are not employed by counties or cities but rather by private firms specialising in building construction and repair. The other types of inspectors are generally government employees appointed or hired by the government to perform these inspections.
A building inspector is usually a person who is licensed in one or more fields and is generally qualified in one of three areas qualifying them to make a sound professional judgment concerning whether a building is meeting building code requirements by the code. When considering this, it is crucial to understand that the different fields of expertise include: structural engineering, building science and pest control. If a building inspector meets building code requirements, they will qualify in building science and pest control. These three qualifications are necessary for building inspectors to inspect buildings and ensure they are legally coded. Of course, these professionals are not limited to these specific fields; many perform inspections of all kinds.
One of the standard tests performed by building inspectors Adelaide is to test the roof. It is typically done before the building is sold or leased. For example, if a property has only a single-story roof, the building inspectors will most likely perform a visual inspection to show how the roof is held together. In some cases, the building inspectors will enter the building and assess it based on the ability of the roof to hold its current integrity and strength. Then the code violations will be highlighted, and the customer can determine whether the roof needs to be replaced or repaired.
The structural integrity of the building inspectors usually performs a structural steel analysis and a framing crawl. Using the appropriate equipment will determine the condition of the various beams and joists and the conditions of the underlying soil and rocks. They are trained to identify weak spots and inspect the entire construction site for deficiencies. After the inspection, the inspectors provide a written report detailing the findings and recommend corrective actions that should be taken on the project.
There are several requirements for building inspectors, such as a CRI or building inspector certificate. However, you can get a general contractor’s license without a certificate. It often takes years of experience working on building projects to gain this certification, as specific codes need to be followed. A contractor’s license, however, does come with valuable benefits. One can legally perform inspections without a written report from a professional and legally represent the customer in court if needed. Also, the building inspectors who have obtained this certification can legally serve as a company’s legal representative in situations where disputes arise among the employees.
Many different types of building inspectors inspect construction sites. For example, in Washington D.C. and Virginia, building inspectors inspect dams, bridges, and water storage dams. In other states, building inspectors inspect dams, bridges, and water storage dams located on federally managed lands. Water dams are inspected based on the threat of flooding to residential communities.