Low-slope roofs were a late invention in building construction. This was mostly because steep-slope roofs exhibited superior water-shedding properties. Also, before industrialization, much of the manufacturing of goods was done…
Cast-iron boilers are often found in residential applications and small commercial installations. These boilers are compact and function exclusively in low-pressure steam or hot-water applications. Cutaway view of cast-iron steam…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector The fuel or gas train is a series of components – some working independently, and others working in tandem with…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector An integral part of every steam boiler is a low-water cutoff. A safety feature born of necessity in the 1920s,…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector Steam boilers can be simple or complex, depending on their application, the fuel available, and specific requirements and demands,…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector While there are several types of steam boilers, their basic operating principles are nearly identical. Water is heated to a…
Backflow preventers can be complex and are best thoroughly inspected by a plumbing professional or a certified backflow prevention inspector. However, it’s important for the commercial property inspector to be…
Many commercial building inspections include some sort of kitchen. Some kitchens are similar to those found in homes, while others are much more complex in terms of size and system…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector Commercial boilers are typically pressurized systems that burn combustible fuel (or sometimes use electricity) to heat water, changing the…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector Prior to the invention of the Hartford Loop and low-water shutoff, steam boilers could quickly become unstable and unsafe to…
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in areas including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications,…
A vestibule is a completely enclosed unconditioned space that separates the interior of a building from the exterior. It creates an air-locked entrance and acts as an entryway into a…