Inspecting Commercial Building Exteriors Online Course

The first section covers inspection scope, procedures, and safety. In this section, you will learn the necessary procedures for performing thorough and safe exterior property inspections based on the ComSOPS’s Section 6.5.2 Exterior. Key topics include how to use the ComSOP, inspection tools, and various strategies for inspection efficiency for small and large commercial properties. Throughout the course, you’ll be encouraged to develop the habit of asking yourself key questions in the field to align with the scope of work, documenting an inventory of exterior elements and their condition, and prioritizing safety.

Next, the course transitions to the fundamentals of a structural evaluation. Familiarity with how a building and its components respond to movement and stress is crucial for identifying potential structural deficiencies at the exterior. You will learn structural basics, terminology, and key areas to check in order to identify potential issues. You will also learn the mechanics of crack formation, the terminology used to describe different cracks, and how to gauge their severity.

From here, the course focuses on exterior condition assessment and identifying deficiencies. There are a lot of items to cover when inspecting the exterior, spanning from property lines and parking areas, up to the building’s immediate perimeter, and the building itself. You will learn how to inventory, inspect, and report on various exterior elements and conditions, including siding materials, such as masonry (solid, veneer, reinforced and unreinforced), stucco, EIFS, wood, tilt-up precast concrete, vinyl, and metal. We’ll cover how to inspect the flashing and trim at windows, eaves, soffits, and fascia from ground level, as well as porches, stoops, and stairs, and their associated features.

The course also covers fenestration features, including doors, overhead doors, windows, and window wall systems like curtain walls, storefronts, and strip windows. You’ll assess parking areas and walkways and their construction materials (concrete, asphalt, gravel, and pavers) and replacement considerations, along with property drainage, topography, and stormwater drainage features, such as catch basins and retention basins. Commercial building parking areas are one of the top three items to maintain and replace, so it’s important for inspectors to have a thorough understanding of this portion of the inspection.

We’ll also review retaining walls, including gravity and reinforced types, and elements like lighting, landscaping, and bollard placement. You’ll also learn about construction and maintenance practices, and how exterior elements impact accessibility, occupant safety, and the overall condition of the building.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• apply the ComSOP inspection procedures for exterior elements;
• identify, describe, and report on exterior elements, including:
  • building structure;
  • siding, flashing and trim;
  • windows, doors, and overhead doors;
  • topography, property drainage, and drainage features;
  • parking areas, stairs, walkways, and other hard and soft surfaces;
  • retaining walls;
  • building lighting, landscaping lighting, and parking area lighting; and
  • basic accessibility barriers.
• demonstrate an understanding of how each element operates and can influence the condition of the building and property as a whole; and
• demonstrate an understanding of the most common reasons why exterior elements fail.