The work of construction inspector is to evaluate streets, highways, buildings, water systems, sewer, bridges, dams, and other structures. Construction inspectors insure their alteration, construction or repair act in accordance with zoning regulations, ordinances, building codes, and contract specifications. Career in building construction field is a lucrative job option that offers high remuneration.
Job Prospects
A construction inspector has to carry out a number of tasks. Building standards and building codes are the means by which construction is regulated in the US for safety and health of the people. International Code Council (ICC) has published construction codes and national model buildings. Some localities have supplementary codes and ordinances that modify to the national model codes.
Construction inspectors make an initial assessment during the first stage of construction and take notes of additional assessment throughout the construction project. Nonetheless, no assessment is exactly the same. In localities where particular types of natural disasters or severe weather like hurricanes or earthquakes are more common, a construction inspector has to examine compliance with additional safety regulations modified to defend occupants and structures during those events.
The construction field incorporates a number of inspectors. These inspectors inspect the general safety and structural quality of buildings. Some inspectors may specialize in reinforced concrete structures or structural steel. The list of these inspectors is given below.
Before construction starts, the responsibility of a plan examiner is to determine whether the plan for building or other structure meet the terms of building codes and they are suited with environmental and engineering demands of the building sites. An inspector visits the construction site before the foundation is laid to ensure positioning, condition of the soil and depth of the footings.
Consequently, they return to the workplace to inspect the foundation and give necessary suggestions to the workers. These inspectors make out the estimate based upon the type and structure of the site. After completion of the project, inspectors make a final and comprehensive inspection.
Apart from the structural characteristics, fire safety is the prime concern of a building inspector. Their responsibility is to inspect structure's alarms, fire sprinklers, fire exits, and smoke control systems. Inspectors evaluate the content of the building, type of construction, risks posed by adjacent buildings, and capability of fire protection equipments.
Electrical Inspector
The work of electrical inspector is to assess the installation of electrical systems and equipments to ensure that they operate properly and abide by electrical standards and codes. Electrical inspectors visit construction site to inspect existing and new sound and security systems, lighting, wiring, generating equipments, and motors. They also scrutinize the fitting of the electrical wiring for air-conditioning and heating systems, appliances, and other related sections.
Home inspectors
Home inspectors execute assessment of previously owned or newly built homes, town homes, condominiums, apartments, manufactured homes, and sometimes, commercial buildings. The prospective home buyers may employ home inspectors to examine and report the conditions of home systems, structures, and components. Generally, home inspectors are employed either as a contingency to a sales contract or before the purchase offer on a home.
Apart from assessing structural quality, home inspectors examine all home features and systems comprising of foundation, roofing, exterior, interiors, heating, plumbing, electrical, and cooling systems. At times, homeowners employ inspectors for evaluation of their home's condition.
Mechanical Inspectors
The job of mechanical inspector is to inspect the setting of the mechanical components of air-conditioning equipments, commercial kitchen appliances, heating equipments, oil-fired appliances, gas-fired appliances, oil piping, gas, butane, and gasoline appliances. Some mechanical inspectors specialize in ventilating or boilers equipments.
Plumbing Inspectors
The work of plumbing inspectors is to inspect plumbing systems such as water supply and distribution systems, private disposal systems, vent lines, drain, plumbing traps, and fixtures.
Public Works Inspectors
These inspectors ensure the state, federal, and local government construction of drain and water systems, streets, highways, dams, and bridges to detailed contract specifications. They fill operations and inspect excavation, concrete pouring and mixing, placement of forms for concrete, grading operations, and asphalt paving.
They record the materials and work to compute the contract payment. These inspectors may specialize in structural steel, highways, ditches, and reinforced concrete. Some specialize in dredging operations required for dams, harbors, and bridges.
Work Environment
Building and construction inspectors work together. However, some may be assigned complex and large projects as they tend to specialize in different realms of construction. They spend ample amount of time in examining construction worksite. They also spend time in a site office answering letters, reviewing blueprints, writing reports, telephone calls, and scheduling inspections.
Educational Qualification
The educational requirement may vary significantly for construction inspectors. Building and construction inspectors must have thorough knowledge of construction materials. In some states, building and construction inspectors are required to attain a special certification or license. Some employers seek candidates holding high school diploma. Candidates who studied architecture or engineering or have a degree from junior or community college with courses in home inspection, building inspection, drafting, construction technology, and mathematics are preferred.