Commercial Building - Footing

• Determine if the soil has the minimum bearing capacity as designed. Check geotechnical test results.
• Verify that the soil in the area of the footings is consistent (No soft spots, color changes, exposed strata, debris, or water).
• Verify that weather conditions are suitable for placing concrete or that proper precautions are used to adjust for adverse conditions.
• Compare actual dimensions with those on approved drawings.
• Determine if the bottom of the footing is below the frost line; unless otherwise protected (30" below finished grade).
• Verify that the ground wire or horizontal ground rod is in place where applicable.
• Verify that reinforcement steel is placed in accordance with approved drawings.
• Verify that approved dowels are in place where required.
• Prior approval must first be obtained when professional third party inspectors are used. Submit the engineer's certification to the Building Inspections office as soon as possible. All engineer's certificatiions shall list the building address, permit number and have the engineer's original stamp and signature. Fax # 410-313-1861.

Commercial Building - Slabs

• Determine if the required base material is four inches thick and consists of clean, graded sand, gravel, crushed stone or crushed slag.
• Determine if a vapor retarder is provided and that it is a 6 mil visqueen vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than six inches and placed at the bottom of the slab.
• Determine if the slab thickness and reinforcement is in accordance with design criteria and compares favorably to approved plans.
• Verify that the concrete mix will result in a compressive strength equal to the design criteria. (Check Delivery Tickets)
• Verify that required and approved perimeter slab insulation is installed properly.
• Verify that all requirements to the approved plans have been met.

Commercial Building - Framing

• Compare joists species, grade, size, clear span and spacing of the joists with design specifications, approved drawings, codes, and manufacturers details.
• Compare headers and girders species, grade, size, clear span and spacing of the joists with design specifications, approved drawings, codes, and manufacturers details.
• Determine if the length of the bearing point is at least 1½ inches if the supporting element is wood or metal, or at least 5 inches if masonry.
• Determine if the joists are supported by an approved and properly installed joist header or ledger strips at least 2 inches by 2 inches, where joists are framed into the side of a wood beam or girder.
• Verify that there are no notches in the middle 1/3 of any joist span.
• Verify that notches on the ends of the joist do not exceed ¼ the depth of the joist.
• Verify that notches between the ends and middle 1/3 of the span do not exceed 1/6 the depth of the joist.
• If the top notches in the ceiling joists exceed 1/6 of the joist depth, then verify that they are located no further than the joist depth from the face of the support and that they do not exceed 1/3 of the joist depth.
• Verify that notches are not longer than 1/3 of the joist depth.
• Verify that the tension side of the member is four inches or greater in nominal thickness and is not notched, except at the ends of the member.
• Check that there are no bored holes within two inches of the top or bottom of the joist.
• Confirm that the diameters of bored holes do not exceed 1/3 of the depth of the joist.
• Check that there are no holes within two inches of another hole or notch. Determine if the joists are toe nailed to the sills or girders with at least 3-8d nails.
• If posts are used to support beams and girders, then determine if positive connections are installed.
• Determine if the joists parallel to the bearing walls above are doubled OR an equivalent beam is used as a minimum.
• Determine if the header span is greater than four feet. If so, then the header is to be at least doubled.
• Determine if approved joist hangers are used to connect the header and trimmer joists for header joist spans greater than six feet.
• Determine if the ends of the joists NOT over an intermediate support, are laterally supported by full-depth, 2-inch thick solid blocking, a header, band or rim joist, or to adjoining stud.
• Ensure that 6' - 8' minimum headroom exists in all stairways.
• Verify that floor penetrations are properly fire safed with approved materials.
• Verify that spray on fire protection for structural steel members is applied completely.
• Verify that exterior wall veneer balloon framing is properly fire stopped.
• Verify that interior shaft walls are configured per the approved plan.
• Verify that Plumbing, Electrical and Fire Protection rough-in inspections have been approved. 

Commercial Building - Final

Exterior Inspections

• Ensure that the bold, readily visible, street address is posted. Numbers/letters should be 6 inches minimum in height.
• Verify exits are properly identified with exit signs and have required hand / guardrails.
• Verify Handicapped accessibility is properly installed (correct slope) and identified; signs have minimum 7 foot clearance from ground.
• Collect all required structural certifications as enumerated on Plan Reviews approval letter.
• Ensure that sediment control measures are protecting adjoining properties.
• Ensure that the finished grade, down spouts, and splash blocks are directed away from the building.
• Determine that the lot improvements, i.e., paving, walks, storm water facilities, entrance culverts, landscaping, miscellaneous structures, etc., are in substantial compliance with the permit documents.
• Determine that the building is sealed against moisture penetration, i.e., painting, caulking and flashings.
• Determine that chimneys and flues are terminated in accordance with applicable codes and manufacturers instructions.
• Ensure that approved window screens are in place, where applicable.
• Ensure that no emergency vehicles or private homeowner access to the new building is hindered by construction materials or equipment.

Interior Inspections

• Ensure that all required inspection approvals have been secured, i.e., Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, Fire Protection and Grading (when applicable).
• Verify floor levels in stair towers are properly identified.
• Ensure that the basement is DRY.
• Determine that handrails and guardrails are installed, where required, at the proper elevations with the required maximum picket/dowel spacing, and that the handrails have the proper handgrip sections, are continuous and are terminated correctly.
• Ensure that there are interconnected, approved battery backup smoke alarms in each sleeping room, outside of each area in the vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the dwelling, including the basement (when applicable).
• Determine that safety glazing is installed in all hazardous locations including hinged, fixed, sliding and storm doors, in fixed panels adjacent to doors, along walking areas (except when horizontal bar is used), in showers and tub enclosures and any glazing less than 60 inches above a drain inlet of a shower or tub.
• Ensure that the insulation package has been completed in all spaces including crawl spaces, basements, and attics.
• Ensure that 6'8" minimum headroom still exists in all stairways.

Residential Building - Footing

• Determine if the soil has a minimum bearing capacity of 2000 psf or if the footing is designed to engineering standards.
• Verify that the soil in the area of the footings is consistent (No soft spots, color changes, exposed strata, debris, or water).
• Verify that weather conditions are suitable for placing concrete or that proper precautions are used to adjust for adverse conditions.
• Compare actual dimensions with those on approved drawings.
• Determine if the bottom of the footing is below the frost line; unless otherwise protected (30" below finished grade).
• Verify that the ground wire or horizontal ground rod is in place where applicable.
• Verify that reinforcement steel is placed in accordance with approved drawings.
• Verify that approved dowels are in place where poured foundation walls are used.
• Prior approval must first be obtained when professional third party inspectors are used. Submit the engineer's certification to the Building Inspections office as soon as possible. All engineer's certifications shall list the building address, permit number and have the engineer's original stamp and signature. Fax # 410-313-1861.

Residential Building - Slabs

• Determine if the required base material is four inches thick and consists of clean, graded sand, gravel, crushed stone or crushed slag.
• Determine if a vapor retarder is provided except for slabs located in a detached garage, utility building, or unheated accessory structure.
• If a vapor retarder is required, then determine if it is a 6 mil visqueen vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than six inches and placed at the bottom of the slab.
• Determine if the slab is a minimum of 3½ inches thick.
• Verify that interior concretes compressive strength at 28 days is at least 2,500 psi and 3,000 psi air entrained, when exposed to weather conditions. (Check delivery tickets)
• Check and note how the radon depressurization method will be vented: Gas tight “T” into aggregate or through the sealed sump cover.
• Verify that required and approved perimeter slab insulation is installed properly. 

Residential Building - Framing

• Compare joists species, grade, size, clear span and spacing of the joists with design specifications, approved drawings, codes, and manufacturers details.
• Compare headers and girders species, grade, size, clear span and spacing of the joists with design specifications, approved drawings, codes, and manufacturers details.
• Determine if the length of the bearing point is at least 1½ inches if the supporting element is wood or metal, or at least 5 inches if masonry.
• Determine if the joists are supported by an approved and properly installed joist header or ledger strips at least 2 inches by 2 inches, where joists are framed into the side of a wood beam or girder.
• Verify that there are no notches in the middle 1/3 of any joist span.
• Verify that notches on the ends of the joist do not exceed ¼ the depth of the joist.
• Verify that notches between the ends and middle 1/3 of the span do not exceed 1/6 the depth of the joist.
• If the top notches in the ceiling joists exceed 1/6 of the joist depth, then verify that they are located no further than the joist depth from the face of the support and that they do not exceed 1/3 of the joist depth.
• Verify that notches are not longer than 1/3 of the joist depth.
• Verify that the tension side of the member is four inches or greater in nominal thickness and is not notched, except at the ends of the member.
• Check that there are no bored holes within two inches of the top or bottom of the joist.
• Confirm that the diameters of bored holes do not exceed 1/3 of the depth of the joist.
• Check that there are no holes within two inches of another hole or notch. Determine if the joists are toe nailed to the sills or girders with at least 3-8d nails.
• If posts are used to support beams and girders, then determine if positive connections are installed.
• Determine if the joists parallel to the bearing walls above are doubled OR an equivalent beam is used as a minimum.
• Determine if the header span is greater than four feet. If so, then the header is to be at least doubled.
• Determine if approved joist hangers are used to connect the header and trimmer joists for header joist spans greater than six feet.
• Determine if the ends of the joists NOT over an intermediate support, are laterally supported by full-depth, 2-inch thick solid blocking, a header, band or rim joist, or to adjoining stud.
• Ensure that 6' - 8' minimum headroom exists in all stairways.

Roof Framing Inspections

Special Note: All approved building permit drawings, manufacturers shop drawings and details, necessary certifications and prior approval of location survey submission must be in place prior to requesting this roof framing inspection.

• Compare rafter size, span, species, grade, and spacing with design specifications/drawings and code.
• Examine rafter lumber four inches and wider to verify that there are no notches on the tension side EXCEPT at either end.
• Examine rafters to verify that there are NO notches in the middle 1/3 of the span, and notches located in the top or bottom of the rafters do NOT exceed 1/6 the rafter depth. Verify that notches are no longer than 1/3 of the rafter depth.
• Examine end notches to determine that they do NOT exceed ¼ the depth of the rafter.
• Examine rafters to determine that there is NO bored hole within two inches of the top or bottom of the rafter or within two inches of another hole or notch.
• Examine bored hole (more than two inches from the top OR bottom of the rafter) to determine that the hole diameter does NOT exceed 1/3 the depth of the rafter.
• If there are notches on cantilevered rafters, verify that the remaining portion of the rafter is not less than four inch nominal and the length of the cantilever is not more than 24 inches.
• If rafter ties are used, then verify that:
• 1. Rafter ties are not more than 4' - 0" on center;
  2. Face nailed to rafter with 3-8d nails;
  3. Tie is a minimum of a 1 x 4. 
• Determine that roof rafters are toe nailed to plate with 2-16d nails.
• Examine the ridge board to determine that the thickness is at least one inch nominal AND that the depth is not less than the cut end of the rafter.
• Determine that the roof rafters are toe nailed to ridge board with 4-16d OR face nailed with 3-16d nails. If there is no ridge board, then the rafters must be framed together with a gusset plate.
• If there are hip and valley rafters, then determine that the thickness is not less than two inches nominal and that the depth is not less than the cut end of the roof rafter.
• Determine if the roof rafters are toe nailed to hip and valley rafters with 4-16d nails or face nailed with 3-16d nails.
• Determine if the end of each rafter has at least 1½ inches of bearing on wood OR three inches of bearing on masonry.
• Determine if the rafters having a depth to thickness ratio exceeding 5:1 have lateral support at bearing points to prevent rotation.
• If the rafters have a nominal depth to thickness ratio exceeding 6:1, determine if the rafters are laterally supported by either solid blocking, diagonal bridging (wood or metal), OR 1 x 3-inch bridging nailed to the rafter at intervals no more then 8 feet.
• If the header in the roof opening is greater than four feet, then determine if the header and trimmer rafters are doubled and approved joist hangers are used to connect the header to rafters.
• Determine if the roof truss is built and installed to comply with the manufacturers design truss drawings.
• Determine if the roof truss is braced per truss design drawings.
• Check that NO roof truss member is cut, notched, drilled, spliced OR altered, unless approved by a registered design professional.
• Determine if the trusses are bearing at the proper bearing points marked on the truss.
• Determine that the girder trusses are fastened together to comply with the manufacturers design.
• Ensure that a minimum 22" x 30" attic access is provided and that an elevated platform and catwalk is provided for equipment maintenance with the service areas 30" x 30" minimum, when applicable.

Wall Framing Inspections

Special Note: All approved building permit drawings, manufacturers shop drawings and details, necessary certifications and prior approval of location survey submission must be in place prior to requesting this wall framing inspection.

• Compare bearing studs (size, spacing, grade, and species) to the requirements indicated on the approved plans and code tables.
• Determine that exterior walls have a top plate that is doubled and overlapped at the corners and intersects with the bearing walls. The top plate end joints must have a 24 inch minimum offset.
• If a single top plate is used, check that it is tied at joints, corners and intersecting walls with a 3-inch x 6-inch x 0.036-inch-thick galvanized steel plate nailed to each wall with 8-16d nails AND rafters or joints are centered within one inch of supporting studs.
• Determine that the cripple walls are less than 14 inches in height and are sheathed with plywood or structural panels on at least one side and attached to both top and bottom wall plates or constructed of solid blocking.
• If the foundation cripple walls exceed four feet in height, determine if the stud framing complies with the size requirements for an additional story by code.
• If the notches in the top plates exceed 50 percent of their width, then verify that the top plate is reinforced with a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 (16 gage) inch thick and 1.5 inches wide fastened across the cut plate with 6-16d nails (three at each end).
• Compare the actual headers and spans to the building code table for maximum spans allowed.
• Determine if a 1 x 4-inch let-in or approved metal strap bracing is located at each corner (end) AND at least every 20 feet on center.
• Determine if each 1 x 4-inch brace is:      
  1. Placed at an angle from horizontal between 45 and 60 degrees.
  2. Let into both top and bottom plates and adjoining studs.
  3. Correctly fastened. Correctly fastened.
  4. If metal bracing is used, then verify that the metal braces are installed and mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and/or installation instructions. 

Residential Building - Draintile

• Determine if drain tiles or pipes are installed at or below the area to be protected.
• Determine if drain tiles or pipes discharge into an approved drainage system (sump pit or daylight).
• Determine if drain tiles or pipes are covered by at least six inches of gravel.
• If interior drain tile is used in lieu of exterior, ensure that 2" diameter pipes 4' on center are ex