Checklist for Commercial Building Inspections

When you own a commercial building, you have follow certain rules and regulations for your building to remain up-to-code, safe, and in compliance with multiple municipalities, departments, and regulatory systems. Inspections are required and necessary parts of building management and safety. It’s best to do a walkthrough yourself beforehand to prepare yourself for the real deal. We provide a checklist for commercial building inspections.

Fire safety

When you think about fire safety for your commercial building, it’s important to think beyond your assets. While, ideally, you’d want to keep as many assets unharmed as possible, it’s important to prioritize your building’s visitors and your staff. Some main points to look for when inspecting your building include:

• Exit lights: Lights labeled with the word “exit” can help guide building patrons to safety in the event of an emergency.
• Emergency exit doors: Unblocked doors marked solely for escape in the case of emergency are crucial for safety during fires and other emergencies.
• Fire extinguishers: These should be spaced conveniently throughout the building in case of a smaller fire, such as a microwave fire.
• Sprinklers: These should be tested regularly and placed at regulation height. You can check the recommended heights with your local fire department.
• Evacuation routes and plans: Your building should have clearly communicated routes from each point in the building showing the best method of escape. These should be clearly posted throughout your building.
• Emergency lighting: Lights that turn on during emergencies are essential to help guide the way for people attempting to leave the building.

Hazards

There are many hazards that can threaten the overall safety of commercial buildings. Hazards common to commercial buildings, especially those used for industrial purposes, are listed below.

• Corrosion: There are many different types of corrosion and their issues that can affect your building in different ways; they lead to expensive repairs and potentially devastating disasters if not addressed promptly.
• Asbestos: Checking your ceilings for asbestos can save you tons in potential lawsuits and will protect those who work in your commercial property every day. These tests can be done simply on your own or by professionals.

Electrical safety

Electrical safety can often aid in fire safety as well. Electrical hazards can often turn into fires, and may even result in explosions on some occasions. These threaten those in your building and the building itself. Some common electrical safety issues you can check for include:

• Extension cords: These are not a permanent solution to a lack of outlets. Make sure your building has a minimal amount of extension cords and only utilizes them temporarily.
• Electrical circuit panels: These should be checked for any signs of outdatedness. An outdated circuit panel can lead to short circuiting, and it could potentially cause fires if overused.