Building inspection is a vital element of maintaining any commercial property, and those performing such inspections may possess experience in facilities management, engineering or architecture among many other trades and professions.
Here are four key points about DBI building inspection.
Inspection of the Exterior
At an exterior building inspection, an inspector will scrutinise all visible components of the structure. They will look out for signs of damage or disrepair such as cracked walls and foundation, rusted hardware, leaky gutters or spillways as a priority – otherwise these problems could pose serious damage and safety risks for building occupants. This process must occur in order to protect building users.
Commercial buildings in Adelaide need to maintain both an inviting exterior and safe environment for employees and visitors alike. An inspector will ensure all entrances are free from obstruction, lighting is working effectively, stairwells are clear of debris or equipment that might hamper evacuation in case of an emergency, and that any structural issues could threaten its integrity and structure.
An inspector will also conduct a complete walkaround of windows and doors to make sure weatherstripping is in good condition and air infiltration is minimalised. They will examine the roof to check for water leaks, missing shingles or damaged areas. Furthermore, an inspection will check landscaping features, driveways, sidewalks and any outside elements for potential problems such as standing water. Ultimately, an inspector should ensure rainwater drains away from buildings without creating standing water issues.
Inspection of the Interior
Building inspectors conduct comprehensive interior building inspections on areas like offices, bathrooms and kitchen spaces to make sure that these spaces adhere to code and do not pose any safety threats. Inspectors might inspect plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, vents and fire protection systems in these spaces to make sure everything is functioning optimally.
DBI building inspect work collaboratively with contractors, architects, engineers and property owners to address code compliance issues and offer guidance throughout construction projects. This may require working both on site and at their office location as well as traveling between sites to conduct inspections. They must be ready to climb ladders, access confined spaces or navigate various construction sites with differing terrain or weather conditions to do this job successfully.
Building inspectors must fill out numerous forms and reports for their work, documenting everything from structural integrity of walls and roof structures to electrical and plumbing fixtures. However, with apps and software becoming more widely used to streamline this process and prevent forms from getting lost while also saving time amending errors more efficiently; reviewing documents on mobile devices also makes reviewing and submitting them much simpler than trying to write everything by hand.
Inspection of the Plumbing
As part of their duties, building inspectors in Adelaide inspect the plumbing in a structure, including water pressure, sewer lines, drains and toilets. If anything doesn’t function correctly it could lead to mold growth, flooding and other serious problems in a structure. They’ll also check to make sure the roof doesn’t leak or cave-in and ruin merchandise or documents stored within.
Inspectors typically analyse a building from multiple perspectives. They examine everything from fire safety hazards, walls and windows, kitchen facilities and HVAC to ensure everything is in working condition – an inspection could potentially expose property damages or place people in harm’s way if its system doesn’t operate as designed, so having reliable and experienced inspectors on hand is essential.
DBI building inspect typically split their time between an office environment, writing reports, and outdoor inspection sites. They may also perform administrative duties like reviewing building plans and permits before issuing permits to build. Furthermore, building inspectors keep detailed records of inspections and code compliance.
Most professionals working in this career typically possess either a high school diploma or equivalent and learn on the job; however, possessing a bachelor’s degree in engineering or architecture may prove useful for advancement in this industry.