Why Are Inspections Important?

MeyerFire University | FX103.03

By Aaron Johnson

< PREVIOUS

NEXT >

RESOURCES

FX103 SERIES

RESOURCES

NOTES

• Notes Page [PDF]​

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?

---

TEST YOURSELF

---

TRANSCRIPT

Why are inspections important? 

There are three types of inspections - the rough in, the final and what we will call the unscheduled inspection. 

A rough-in inspection is conducted before the building or system installation is completed the building components are still apart, before the building is quote closed up. The rough-in lets the inspector see what's going on before everything gets hidden by the walls, ceiling, or floor. Wiring, pipes, hanger supports, internal fire rated components, underground piping can be witnessed and viewed before they are covered up.   

Why is the rough-in inspection important?  

The rough-in inspection ensures compliance with installation codes and standards- alarm components, electrical wiring, sprinkler piping, building compartmentation - ensuring that all are built correctly and installed according to the code and permitted set of drawings. 

A rough-in inspection also allows the inspector and the contractor to spot problems at an early stage of the project and make any corrections. identifying issues at this early stage allows for corrections and repairs to be made more cost-effectively and efficiently. If, during a fire sprinkler rough-in inspection or underground it's much easier to fix a sprinkler pipe that isn't holding properly or for a sprinkler head that isn't it properly attached or a hanger that needs to be moved or relocated or to properly brace that underground piping - it's much easier to do that and make that repair before the ceiling gets installed over that sprinkler pipes and a leak occurs down the road or the underground gets covered up by dirt and a major blow out happens - it's much cheaper safer and more efficient to catch these kinds of problems and address them at the early rough-in inspection stage 

The second type of inspection is the final inspection. This final inspection confirms that the system is installed to code, installed according to the plans that were submitted and approved, and that the system will function properly. Ultimately, the final inspection ensures the safety of the building and its occupants. 

A third type of inspection, my personal favorite, is the unscheduled inspection or what we could even refer to as the pop in inspection. when I was a kid growing up my dad was a pastor and we would go out and do something he called calling on people. We would go door-to-door through the neighborhoods around the church knock on doors. We would introduce ourselves,  tell people who we were and  what we were about. We would find out what kind of needs they may have and how we may help.  And we would invite them to church. 

As I became an adult I took this concept that I learned from my father into my job as an inspector. As I would drive through my jurisdiction, and where projects where going on,  I made it a point to stop by and talk to those contractors, “I know I'm not here to to do an inspection, nothings scheduled, just stopping in to see how is everything going, how is the project progressing. Do you have any questions for me? Are there any issues you may be running into that I can help with? Do you need anything from me?” 

I would walk through the site, if I saw something, I would investigate further. I could learn and understand what was happening, and being built, or if I recognized a potential code conflict or issue we could address at the time and make necessary adjustments. These inspections are important for building relationships, learning what is in a building within your community, and to assist in early identification of potential issues. 

So, why are inspections important? The simple answer is that they are important because they ensure the safety of the building and occupants through properly installed systems and constructed building components. 

I'm Aaron Johnson, this is MeyerFire University.