What
do you check during a building inspection?
On this page you will find listings for a few of the
building inspection types. The items, though not all
inclusive, are listed to illustrate the types of things
that are checked. Because each project is different,
your inspector may inspect only those items listed
for a particular inspection, or may look for things
that are not on the list. When in doubt about what
the inspector will check, ask them before they visit
your site.
The building inspectors are the "eyes and ears"
of the County's Building Official in the field. It
is their responsibility to ensure that each building
constructed, each addition built, and every renovation
completed complies with all applicable codes. For
that reason, our inspectors are responsible for identifying
and reporting any problem they may find, whether it
is in their field or not.
The Basics
Every time an inspector arrives at a job site for
an inspection, there are some basic things that are
checked. You may consider the things on this list
"housekeeping" issues, that are fundamental
requirements which, by themselves, can be cause for
rejection. Once you have complied with "the basics",
what other types of things will we be looking for?
• Verify that approved plans are on the job-site.
• Verify that the building card is properly
posted and protected from the elements.
• Verify that the "Notice of Commencement"
is posted.
• Verify that the configuration of the structure
matches the plans.
• Verify proper sanitary facilities are on-site.
• Verify proper setbacks from all property lines
and/or from adjacent structures.
1. Footing Inspection
• Verify depth and width of footings. (Ditches
must be square, clean, and dry.)
• Verify that step downs are properly headered
off.
• Verify that grade stakes are correct.
• Verify steel configuration and size match
approved plans. (NOTE: Minimum 3" clearance sides
and bottom. Steel shall be free of foreign matter
and securely tied. Minimum lap 25".)
• Verify finish floor height to determine if
vertical steel will be required. (NOTE: Stem walls
5 blocks high or higher require footing and stem walls
to be designed and sealed by a registered architect
or engineer.)
• Verfy that interior area of future fill for
slab is free of all organic matter and is ready for
fill dirt.
2. Slab Inspection
• Verify that compaction of fill dirt is correct.
(NOTE: Footings on fill dirt require compaction report.)
• Verify that termite treatment has been done
and sign is posted.
• Verify that proper vapor barrier is in place.
• Verify that rough inspections for any plumbing,
mechanical, and electrical under slab work have passed
and appropriate stickers are in place.
• If stem walls exceed 4 1/2 blocks, approved
sealed drawings by a registered architect are required.
• Verify that depth of concrete will not be
less than 3 1/2" at any place in slab.
• Verify that any required grade beams are in
place. (NOTE: Grade beam footings that do not extend
to natural grade require compaction test.)
3. Monolithic Slab Inspection
• Verify depth and width of footing (ditches
must be square, clean, and dry.)
• Verify that wire mesh is in place and lapped
properly. If fiber mesh is to be used, inspector will
make a notation on the blue card and in the computer.
4. Framing Inspection
• Review windload calculations for specific
requirements, then verify: Sole plate attachments
are in place, Correct stud spacing, Correct header
sizes.
• Glass in hazardous locations is correct. (i.e.,
24" radius from door edge in closed position.)
• Required second means of escape are in place
and correct.
• Required plumbing stack-out, gas, mechanical,
and electrical inspections are completed and tagged
properly.
• Top plate penetrations are properly sealed
with an approved material.
• Attic access is correct, minimum 22 1/2"
X 36". (NOTE: Entire attic must be accessible.
A vaulted ceiling may necessitate an additional access.)
• Fire blocking is in place. (i.e., vaulted
ceilings, furred down areas, etc.)
• Supports for beams, trusses, headers, etc.
are addequate.
• Proper hurricane clips and truss hangers are
in place.
• Required connectors from sole plate to stud
and stud to top plate are installed per windload calculations.
• Gable wind braces are in place.
• Required truss bracing is in place per manufacturer's
design and required windload calculations.
• Over-roof rafters and trusses are blocked
and strapped properly to trusses below deck line.
• Collar ties are in place where required and
properly spaced.
• Garage door header is properly designed and
installed per approved design.
vExterior sheathing is nailed and installed per windload
requirements.
• Roof Sheathing is nailed and installed per
windload requirements.
• Brick ties, where applicable, are installed
properly.
Proper weatherproofing on all exterior walls and openings
has been done per requirements of specific exterior
wall finish.
5. Roofing Inspection
•
Verify all types of roof coverings are installed on
proper roof slopes.
• Verify that nails and fasteners are installed
appropriately for the roofing system.
• Verify all roofs are flashed and sealed at
all valleys, rakes, penetrations, and all vertical
projections.
• Verify that type of roofing material meets
code requirements. |
