Commercial building inspectors Melbourne conduct visual and walk-through surveys of properties. They also review any necessary paperwork associated with them.
Responsibilities of facility managers include overseeing major systems like electrical, plumbing and HVAC to ensure they are running in peak condition, while checking for safety risks such as fire risks.
Exterior
Commercial building inspectors must understand the nuances associated with inspecting different types of properties, so it's not unusual for one inspector to have some residential experience (or vice versa). Building connections within their industry is also key to helping gain clients and build out a team of specialists consultants.
Prior to conducting their walk-through survey portion of an inspection, commercial inspectors must conduct sufficient research. This may involve reviewing documents such as past inspection reports, building permits and code violation notices, as well as interviewing available personnel such as building managers and tenants.
An essential task of commercial inspectors is identifying those with the greatest knowledge about the condition of a property, so they may be interviewed during a walk-through survey. Furthermore, an inspector should review all primary parking structures and surfaces associated with it as part of his evaluation process.
Interior
Commercial inspectors conduct interior property inspections to make sure it complies with local building codes. This may involve inspecting bathrooms, walls, offices and floors to assess any safety-related risks present; as well as reviewing documents related to the property such as construction permits or certificates of occupancy.
Regular commercial property inspections can help owners address issues before they become costly repairs. A commercial inspector might detect a small roof leak which, left untreated, can become an even greater concern over time.
Commercial inspectors frequently work in collaboration with builders and engineers in assessing a property. When selecting one for yourself, make sure they possess both strong credentials as well as relevant experience to suit your needs - this could save both time and money in the long run.
Safety
An expert commercial building inspector is equipped to spot potential dangers that often go overlooked, including fire safety systems, water sprinklers and alarms as well as ventilation systems.
Inspectors can also check for contaminants such as contaminated water, unsafe electrical wiring and structural deficiencies. Depending on the scope and client needs of an inspection, inspectors may hire specialist consultants for specific areas of concern.
An initial walk-through survey is designed to allow a commercial inspector to become acquainted with the layout and characteristics of the building they will be inspecting before creating a strategy for their inspection process. They then start taking notes and looking out for potential issues before compiling this information into their PCR (property condition report).
Zoning
Commercial property inspections often require more in-depth work than their residential counterparts, including strip malls, motels, offices, warehouses and factories that rely on complex systems for their operation. A building inspector with knowledge of these systems will be best equipped to conduct a more in-depth examination.
Building inspectors typically inspect the interiors of commercial spaces to make sure they meet local standards for walls, kitchen areas, bathroom facilities and other elements. They may also check for potential hazards and safety risks while taking note of any areas requiring renovation.
Building inspectors often visit construction sites several times to make sure builders are following building plans correctly and not violating local codes. Based on what they discover, inspectors may even have the power to issue fines against violators - especially if their violations render the property unsafe for human habitation or work.