What is an Example Workflow for an Inspection?

MeyerFire University | FX103.06

By Aaron Johnson

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FX103 SERIES

​FX103 SERIES | SITE VISITS FOR INSPECTORS & INSURERS

1. What is the Goal of an Onsite Inspection?​
2. What Tools are Helpful to Conduct Onsite Inspections?
3. Why Are Inspections Important?
4. What Checklists Exist for Inspectors?
5. What Software Exists for Inspectors?
6. What is an Example Workflow for an Inspection?
7. How to Handle Being the "Bad Guy"?
8. How to Inspect for General Conditions?
9. How to Inspect for Sprinkler Design Criteria?
10. How to Inspect for Sprinkler Orientations?
11. How to Inspect for Sprinkler Obstructions?
12. How to Inspect for Sprinkler Temperature?
13. How to Inspect for Hangers?

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TRANSCRIPT

What is an example workflow for an inspection?

INTRODUCTION 

The typical workflow for any inspection consists of three components - research, inspect, and follow-up. Based on the inspection type, the activities for each of these may look a little bit different, but this three part workflow is applicable to any inspection type. 

RESEARCH

The model workflow starts with research. This is about being prepared, as the inspector, to go out and conduct the best, the most thorough, and the most code compliant inspection. Based on the inspection type, the research may look a little bit different.  

If this is a periodic inspection of an existing building, the research may include, pulling up the past inspections on the property, looking for any past or recent violations or complaints, seeing if there are any new permits since the last visit, and understanding the occupancy type and knowing the applicable codes. 

If this is a new fire protection system install, the research may include, reviewing the plans and permit, reviewing the types and functions of the system installed and the manufacturers recommendations, and reviewing the code or standard guidelines for the proper acceptance testing methods and requirements.  

If this is a new construction inspection, the research may include, reviewing the plans and permit, understanding the “new” occupancy type code requirements, examining the cut sheets or detail sheets, looking up any information on any new or alternative construction materials or methods. 

Though it may look different, research is the first part of any inspection workflow.

INSPECTION

The second part of the workflow is the inspection. The inspector goes on-site to conduct the inspection. This part of the inspectors workflow can be broken down into a few other parts, or sub-workflows.  

The inspection starts with the arrival and greeting. The inspector gets to the site and he meets and connect with the person who scheduled the inspection, or the contractor, of the owner of the facility. Then the inspector will rely on their knowledge, skills, abilities, and prior research to conduct the inspection. At the end, the inspector will review their findings with the owner, contractor, or other representative.  

The inspector will review what was found, any deficiencies, any other issues that may have been noted, or items that need to be updated, repaired, followed-up on. Finally, the inspector will input the data. Those inspection results, deficiencies, notes, are written down or entered into a computer, a tablet, or phone.

FOLLOW-UP

The final part of the workflow for an inspection is the follow-up.  In the follow-up phase the inspector will look up any issues or concerns that may have been observed and answer any questions that may have come up. Sometimes, an inspector may be seeing something for the first time. A contractor may have a question, or may have explained a material, or process, or something else, in a way that the inspector was unfamiliar with.  

The follow-up stage is when the inspector will go back to their office and review the notes that were written down, those questions they were going to look into, confirm the correct application of the code and the deficiency correction method. The inspector is also going to update his calendar with any re-inspection dates that may have been agreed upon.  

It's important in this final stage of the workflow, follow up, that any e-mails or phone calls,  that were promised are sent and made. If the inspector says they are going to follow-up and get back to the person, they must do that. It is critically important to actually do the follow-up. There are so many people in all career fields that actually do not do that, they don't return those calls, they don’t follow-up with that email, and that makes the biggest difference. Often times, all it takes to excel is to do what you said you would do, and communicate what you said you would communicate, in a timely fashion.

SUMMARY

The typical workflow for any inspection should consist of these three components - research, inspect, and follow-up. In a lot of ways this workflow is a continuous cycle, until the end of a project, or change of business. The original research, inspection, and follow-up will beget a whole new round of research, re-inspections, and perhaps additional follow-up. 

I'm Aaron Johnson this is Meyer Fire University.