Stairways and their related features, such as steps, handrails, and guards, must be adequately designed, installed, and maintained to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. Commercial property inspectors can provide building owners and…
The inspection of exterior doors falls under two different sections of the ComSOP: 6.5.2 Exterior and 6.5.11 Doors, Windows, and Interiors. When inspecting exterior doors, an inspector should look at:…
Fenestration refers to the arrangement of windows and doors on the exterior of a building, including any glass panel, window, door, curtain wall, or skylight unit. Fenestration can include any…
There are various types of parking areas at commercial properties, ranging from multi-story parking structures to gravel parking pads. Multi-story parking garages can be complex and contain systems beyond most…
Assessing electrical panels, or panelboards, is only one part of the electrical portion of a commercial property inspection. Inspectors must fully understand the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial…
Terms You Should Know: Working space: The front clearance, side clearance, and height clearance requirements for electrical equipment that provide a safe area for maintenance, inspections, and other work. Dedicated…
Electrical service refers to the conductors, materials, and equipment that transfer power from the utility system to the wiring system that supplies the subject property with electrical power. Learn more…
Terms You Should Know Alternating current (AC): A current that periodically reverses direction and magnitude continuously. Direct current (DC): A current that does not reverse direction but maintains the same…
Transformers are used to change AC voltage levels. These can be termed as step-up or step-down, depending upon the need to increase or decrease in the voltage level. This is…
Section 6.5.2 of the ComSOP titled Exteriors states that the inspector should inspect the stormwater drainage system, general topography, and parking area. To complete this part of the inspection, the…
There are two types of air-handling systems: constant volume (CV), and variable air volume (VAV). In a CV system, a constant amount of air flows through the system whenever it…