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 alternate components – that connect the burner of a gas-fired boiler, which help to ensure the commercial steam boiler’s safe operation. Boiler explosions can happen…
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, this device interrupts the operation of a boiler if it runs out of water. Prior to its invention, empty boilers would continue to run, with…
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, including steam pressure and volume. Steam systems in commercial and industrial settings will typically require the services of a licensed Professional Engineer for the design…
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 gaseous state, generating pressure and steam. The steam is then transported through pipes via that pressure, which is used to power radiators, turbines, steam rooms,…
What Is a Triple-Net Lease? A triple-net lease, also referred to as a net-net-net lease and NNN lease, is a lease agreement where the lessee (a single tenant) is responsible for paying the lessor (landlord) on a net-net-net basis for the following: real estate taxes; insurance; and property maintenance. Technically, the lessor owns the building…
About Triple-Net Leases A triple-net lease, also referred to as a net-net-net lease and NNN lease, is a lease agreement where the lessee (a single tenant) is responsible for paying the lessor (landlord) on a net-net-net basis for the following: real estate taxes; insurance; and property maintenance. This type of lease assigns building maintenance and…
Who performs commercial inspections? The commercial inspection market is a huge and largely untapped source of revenue for individual property inspectors. Commercial inspections are generally performed by either engineers and architects, or by inspection companies that offer commercial inspections in addition to residential inspections. Engineers and architects are typically single-discipline individuals who can only provide…
Online directory listings act like a digital phonebook for your commercial property inspection business. An accurate NAP (name, address, phone number) listing is important when people are searching for your business or the services you offer. An accurate address can also ensure that you appear in local listings that typically include an interactive business locator…
A commercial property is defined as a building, structures and improvements located on a parcel of commercial real estate intended to generate a profit. Touring different properties and considering their use can help prepare you to accurately price and develop a general procedure for your commercial property inspections. Below is a list of the different…
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 able to identify common devices and assemblies in order to accurately note them in the commercial property inspection report. Additionally, if you decide to hire…
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 components. Understanding the technical components of a commercial kitchen exhaust hood will help the commercial inspector better identify defects and work with specialty consultants or…
No one person has all the technical knowledge to perform every commercial inspection single-handedly. Many commercial inspection projects simply demand that a number of experts and specialists be contracted to help complete the inspection project. The International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties defines “consultant” as: “a person with particular expertise in a subject who assists the…