Concrete masonry blocks with an architectural or rough stone surface are called split-face blocks. The face of these blocks has an irregular, rough texture, as if the surface of the block had been hand-chiseled away. In fact, the block is typically formed using a slurry of loose aggregate that is poured into a block form…
Exterior lighting has various purposes. It can be an accent feature in landscaping and pathways, a safety feature around exit doors, and a security feature at the building’s exterior and parking areas. The International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP) is not meant to be used for verifying code compliance, and identifying proper…
Concrete tilt-up panels have become a common method of construction across North America. Tilt-up concrete buildings are commonly used as warehouses, strip malls, and light industrial facilities. The engineered concrete panels serve as the wall structure and the anchoring point for the roof structure. There are two types of concrete tilt-up concrete panels: site precast,…
Commercial properties can have unique storm and wastewater drainage design features and plumbing devices. Most of these features and devices are installed in buildings to protect the watershed or municipal systems from contamination by certain substances and to prevent sewer blockages and damage to plumbing systems. Businesses requiring these features and devices include restaurants, car…
Commercial property inspections entail an assessment of the water service. This portion of the inspection should begin with locating the main water service/supply leading into the building. The main water service/supply could be located anywhere at the property, and some buildings may have several locations, such as at multiple tenant properties. The main water shut-off…
The calculation for pricing the inspection of multi-family dwelling properties is based on the price per unit, or, in other words, a cost per front door. It can be a more challenging process to bid due to the variables to consider for each subject property, such as the size of the units, the number of…
CCPIA’s article “How to Price a Commercial Building Inspection” discusses the four primary approaches to determine an inspection fee, including: a percentage of the sale price; your hourly rate; the cost per some ratio of square footage; and a flat fee based on the type of building. Let’s take a closer look at a combination…
The difference between a residential and a commercial multi-family property depends on the number of units to be inspected. Most state regulations define a residential building as a structure containing four or fewer dwelling units. By that definition, a commercial building is a structure containing five or more dwelling units, so it should be as…
Waste oil recovery unit (oil tank at the bottom) Waste oil recovery heaters are a very popular method of heating found in workshops and mechanics’ garages across the county. They are very cost-effective because they use the waste oil found in those shops and turn it into free heat. These units are composed of three…
Infrared tube heaters, also referred to as tube heaters, are found in large open spaces, such as warehouses, factories, and other industrial spaces. Tube heaters may also be found over doorways to prevent heat loss and on restaurant patios for customer comfort. A tube heater is an alternative to a central heating system. It is…
Outside ductless heat pump compressor Mini-split heat pumps, also referred to as ductless heat pumps, are an alternative to radiators and baseboard heating, as well as a replacement for window units for cooling. It is a common cooling source for computer rooms and remote locations where ducting and hydronic systems do not have coverage. Like…
An evaporative cooling system is different from an air conditioning system in that an air conditioning system relies on refrigerant gases and a chemical process to cool the air, whereas an evaporative cooling system uses water to cool the air. (Here, we discuss evaporative coolers, also called swamp coolers, that utilize direct evaporative cooling technology.…