Inspection Services

  • Building Inspections
  • Electrical Inspections
  • Plumbing, Gas, and Mechanical Inspections
  • Fire Safety Inspections
  • Site Inspections

INSPECTION REQUESTS should not be scheduled prior to the completion of the work to be inspected. Inspectors do their best to coordinate their routes as requested for a.m./p.m. preference inspections; however it is not always possible. Due to reduced staffing and budget restraints, if an Inspector shows up any time during the day of the requested inspection and the work is “in progress” or incomplete, a reinspection fee will be assessed and the inspection will need to be rescheduled.

• You must have a contact telephone number for existing houses that allows the Inspector to call prior to arrival for access when needed.


• A Building Inspector will need your approved set of plans, a copy of the recorded Notice of Commencement (“NOC”), a site plan, completed Roofing Affidavit, if applicable, and any other approved engineering that is necessary to give you a complete inspection.


• SAME DAY INSPECTIONS MAY BE SCHEDULED USING BID’S INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM (IVR) UNTIL 4:30 A.M. SIMPLY CALL (850) 471-6640; ENTER YOUR IVR TRACKING NUMBER (located on the bottom of your Permit) AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS. INSPECTION STATUS, CANCELING AND OTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE USING THE IVR SYSTEM; OR SCHEDULE THE INSPECTION ONLINE AT www.myescambia.com UNTIL 6:00 A.M. THAT SAME DAY.


• INSPECTION RESULTS ARE ENTERED IN “REAL TIME” AS SOON AS THE INSPECTOR COMPLETES THE INSPECTION. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.myescambia.com, as well as BID’s easy to use permit application forms, in fill-able format, along with Checklists and Guidelines and many other useful forms.

 

The Inspections Section is responsible for inspecting the project for compliance with current applicable codes and ordinances.  BID is staffed with State of Florida Certified Inspectors.  Inspectors visit job sites, when requested, to determine if construction is progressing according to the plans, in compliance with current applicable codes and ordinances.  All work must be inspected before it can be covered with additional materials.  All projects permitted require a final inspection.  The Inspector will record inspection results on the permit job card posted on the job site.  Inspection results will also be available later in the day from the computer file through this web site.

 

hAVE YOUY HEARD


Permits become null and void if construction is not started or a passing inspection is not recorded within 180 days of issuance.

Permits must be posted in a conspicuous location at the job site and visible from the road, at eye level (5’ high) and protected from inclement weather.


Job location must be either unlocked or inhabited to allow entrance to the Inspector.

Physical address must be posted in accordance with Escambia County Ordinance No. 86-11.

Sanitary facilities, (i.e., a portable toilet or access to established facilities) are required on jobsite at time of inspection.

If you are uncertain about whether an inspection is required, please call the Building Inspections Division at (850) 595-3550.

ALL PERMITS REQUIRE A FINAL INSPECTION.

 

cold service

COLD SERVICE INSPECTIONS

A ‘cold service’ permit is issued when electrical work is required due to electrical failure and must be to an occupied dwelling or building and be attached to an active Power Company account.

When a permit is issued for a ‘cold service’ or electrical change out, the following must be present before an inspection can occur:

 

  • The permit application must be noted that the job is a ‘cold service’;
  • When calling for the final inspection, notify BID’s Customer Service that the inspection is for a ‘cold service’;
  • The job site must be unlocked and, if inhabited, someone must be onsite when the Inspector arrives or the inspection will be failed and may result in assessment of a re-inspection fee.

 

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Gas Inspection Notes:

  • HAVE PLANS AND PERMIT ON JOB SITE.
  • PROPERLY SIZE SYSTEM.  CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL.
  • SHUT OFF VALVES SHALL HAVE READY ACCESS (NOT BEHIND APPLIANCE).
  • NEW SYSTEMS OR ADDITIONS TO EXISTING SYSTEMS MUST BE PRESSURE TESTED.
  • FLEX CONNECTORS SHALL NOT PASS THROUGH APPLICANCE HOUSING.
  • METALLIC PIPE INSTALLED UNDERGROUND MUST BE SLEEVED IN ITS ENTIRETY.
  • VENT PASSING THROUGH CEILING, WALL OR ROOF MUST BE DOUBLE WALL WITH 1” CLEARANCE.
  • VENT MUST TERMINATE A MINIMUM OF12” FOR FLAT ROOF MORE WITH HIGHER PITCH.
  • INDOOR APPLICANCE INDOORS MAY REQUIRE COMBUSTION AIR.
  • REGULATORS MUST BE RATED FOR USE (SEE MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS).
  • NOT ALL ITEMS SOLD AT “HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES” ARE APPROVED UNDER THE CODE.

Mechanical Inspection Notes:

  • HAVE PLANS AND PERMIT ON JOB SITE.
  • OUTDOOR UNITS MUST BE INSTALLED TO MEET WINDLOAD REQUIREMENT FOR AREA.
  • REFRIGERATION AND CONDENSATE LINES THAT PASS THROUGH AN OUTSIDE WALL MUST BE SEALED WATERTIGHT.
  • FLEX DUCT MUST BE SUPPORTED NOT MORE THAN 5’ WITH STRAPPING 1½” OR GREATER.
  • APPLICANCES INSTALLED IN ATTICS SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN 6’ FROM ACCESS.
  • MINIMUM ACCESS OPENING 20” x 30” BUT LESS THAN SIZE OF APPLIANCE.
  • A LEVEL AREA NOT LESS THAN 30” x 30” DEEP ON SERVICE SIDE OF APPLIANCE.
  • FIBROUS DUCT BOARD SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED SMACNA OR NAIMA STANDARDS.
  • DUCT AND SUPPLY BOOTS MUST BE SEALED TO UL 181 STANDARDS.
  • APPLIANCE CHANGE OUTS IN EXISTING BUILDINGS MAY BE DONE TO MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS; ALL NEW WORK MUST BE INSTALLED TO CURRENT CODE.
  • RETURN AIR PLENUMS SHALL BE SEALED 100% AIRTIGHT.
  • AIR HANDLING UNITS THAT PRODUCE CONDENSATIONS SHALL HAVE A SECONDARY DRAIN OR FLOAT SWITCH TO PREVENT FLOODING.
  • NOT ALL ITEMS SOLD AT “HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES” ARE APPROVED UNDER THE CODE.

Plumbing Inspections Notes:

  • HAVE PLANS AND PERMIT ON JOB SITE.
  • PROPERLY TEST SYSTEMS; WATER ON D.W.V. AND SEWER PRESSURE TEST WATER SYSTEM
  • PROPER FALL ON D.W.V. SYSTEM, (i.e., 1/8 TO 1/4 INCHES PER FOOT).
  • USE PURPLE PRIMER ON ALL PVC PIPE AND FITTINGS AND GLUE MADE FOR TYPE OF PIPE
  • DO NOT USE GLUE JOINTS TO CONNECT DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLASTIC PIPE OR FITTINGS.
  • NEVER USE PVC PIPE IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
  • ASTM 2729 SEWER PIPE IS NOT AN APPROVED PIPE.
  • PIPE IN THE GROUND MUST BE UNCOVERED AND WRITING TURNED UP FOR INSPECTION.
  • PROTECT PIPES IN WALL WITH NAIL PLATES – 2” ABOVE BOTTOME PLATE; 2: BELOW TOP PLATE.
  • WATER PIPES IN ATTICS AND CRAWL SPACES MUST BE INSULATED.
  • DO NOT USE WATER TYPE (PRESSURE) FITTINGS IN A SANITARY SYSTEM.
  • TUB AND SHOWER VALVES MUST BE ANTI-SCALD AND PROPERLY SECURED.
  • NOT ALL ITEMS SOLD AT “HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES” ARE APPROVED UNDER THE CODE.

WARNING:  IF YOU, AS A HOMEOWNER, ARE ASKED TO PULL A PERMIT, CONTACT THE BUILDING INSPECTIONS DIVISIONS AT (850) 595-3565 TO VERIFY THE INDIVIDUAL IS A LICENSED CONTRACTOR.  THE PERMIT HOLDER HAS TOTAL RESPONSIBILITILY.