What is a Building Inspection and why does it Matter?

 A Building Inspection is the process of determining if an organization is compliant with certain laws and regulations. Buildings contain a variety of items that need to be regularly inspected for safety and compliance.
What is the purpose of a building inspection?

is a two-fold objective. Safety and compliance. Compliance (whether to a policy or regulation) is driven by safety. Employees are more productive when a company adheres to regulations and policies. They are working in a safe environment, which does not put their health or wellbeing at risk. Compliance is good for everyone.

Who is responsible for a commercial building's inspection?

is typically conducted by a certified inspector or a maintenance supervisor . Take a look at each of their different functions.

    A city or county employs building inspectors. They inspect constructions, repairs, and alterations that are covered by active building permits. Building inspectors will enforce building codes and rules including those pertaining to safety, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and energy. Building inspectors are required to be certified. This is usually done by the International Code Council. Inspectors make sure that your building is free of defects, dangers or violations.
    Maintenance managers are more focused on internal inspections. The walk-throughs are conducted to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly. The maintenance manager will create a workorder for his or her team to fix an asset that is not working properly or inefficiently. The maintenance manager is responsible for providing appropriate documentation to inspectors (typically through a compliance software). This will show that routine maintenance was performed on machinery.

What are the benefits of conducting inspections for my organization?

The inspections not only ensure compliance with the codes but also highlight any potential hazards or risks within your building. Inspections also help determine which repairs and upgrades to prioritize when planning capital projects. Your organization can benefit in four different ways from regular internal inspections.

    Inspections can help you identify hazards (both existing and potential). Your maintenance team will conduct a physical safety audit to determine if there are any risks in your building for visitors, employees, or occupants. Your facilities team can determine the effectiveness of current measures by conducting regular visual inspections.
    building inspections melbourne can help your safety team identify the root causes of safety hazards.
    Safety and security are taken very seriously by facility directors and their staff. Maintenance teams can use frequent inspections to detect risks before inspectors arrive and take steps towards mitigation.
    Inspections reveal that corrective measures are needed to rectify compliance issues.
    Corrective actions may include adjusting company policies or reviewing safety procedures. They could also involve wearing extra personal protective equipment, talking to employees about their safety concerns, or modifying the safety policy. Inspections can help you gain insight into your company's daily operations and what changes could be made to improve safety.
    Inspections can help you track your progress in risk reduction and control.
    Inspection reports can be used to prove your progress as an organization, and that you have taken action in response to any red flags raised during an inspection. Consistent evaluation leads to greater progress in safety and compliance.