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All Things Inspector: Becoming A Building Inspector, Is It For You?

All Things Inspector Becoming A Building Inspector, Is It For You

To become a building inspector, you must have the drive to make a difference. You need to follow specific protocols to ensure that the building meets the standards and code specifications. To achieve your certification, there are a few things to consider when building your way to success.

Safety is #1

As a building inspector, you are ensuring the safety of those involved. There are no corners to cut. You must confirm that the building you are inspecting is up to the necessary codes and regulations. Whether it be on either a municipal or state level.

If it is a new development, you must comb through the building plans to make sure that they meet the mandatory standards. Follow-ups are a vital necessity, as you will be expected at the site during the construction process. For structures that are already established, inspections may be performed prior to a sale of the building. Inspectors can be called out to search for any potential violations. Or, can be asked to inspect an emergency.

Scheduling

Typically, building inspectors work Mondays – Fridays, with optional weeknights and weekends. Some days involving working on location of the buildings that need inspecting. While other days are in spent in an office to write up the final reports.

Inspectors can be hired within a company, which would include the regular benefits if hired in on a full-time status. While others choose to be independent contractors. Working for yourself and establishing contracts with other companies of whom you are conducting the inspections for.

Tools of the Trade

As a building inspector, you need to arrive to the job prepared for what may be in store. Here are a few important items that we sell, to help aid you as an inspector:

  • ADA Slope Gauge – Ensuring that the contoured lines are perpendicular, when measuring the angle of a slope.
  • Door Gap Gauge – Simple to use, and easy to carry. Providing measurements for door margins and material thickness.
  • ADA Pressure Gauge Push-Pull, 0-35lbs – This determines how much force is used to open a door, by means of the A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
  • ADA Push Door Pressure Gauge – Lightweight and compact, as it meets A.D.A. regulations. This detects how much force is needed to push a door as per A.D.A. standards.

The sales tax is covered by us, here at All Things Inspector, as is the shipping. For every product that is sold, 1% of proceeds are gifted to a charity. Our mission is to “keep our pricing simple by paying the sales tax and having free shipping.”

ICC Test Prep

If becoming a building inspector sounds like something that you aspire to do, then the ICC Exam Preparation can build up your knowledge and confidence. Practice exams and study guides have been constructed by certified building instructors. Laying the ground work for you by demonstrating how the questions will be asked on the IBC Commercial Building Inspector Examination. Follow us on Facebook, for updated information for All Things Inspector.

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Why Building Managers Should Keep A Push-Pull Door Pressure Gauge

Building Managers Should Keep A Push-Pull Door Pressure Gauge

Building managers need an assortment of tools to ensure their structure remains at peak condition. Some of the tools you need are obvious, such as a plunger, a hammer, a screwdriver, and a wrench. However, some of the things you should have on hand are less obvious. Here are some of the reasons why building managers should keep a push-pull door pressure gauge nearby.

A push-pull door pressure gauge is a tool that measures the amount of force needed to open or close a door. The ADA and local jurisdictions have standards for the minimum amount of force required to open the various doors in a building. Building inspectors use push-pull door pressure gauges to ensure that a structure complies with these legal requirements. Having this tool on hand allows building managers to check their doors before an inspection, which can save a lot of money on noncompliance fees and penalties.

Before a building was approved for use, there was an inspection to ensure that all of the doors and other safety features were up to code. However, a structure changes slightly over time, and this can lead to a door being harder to open, like an old hinge. Periodically checking all of the entry points with the gauge in the structure will identify problems you may not have known existed.

Building managers should also use a push-pull door pressure gauge after a door has been repaired or replaced. When the building was constructed, it took time to adjust the door to meet ADA standards. Replacing the door or its mechanisms means everything needs to be fine-tuned again, so the door opens and closes with as much force as it did when it was initially installed. When it comes to compliance, you can’t rely on, “That feels about right.” A push-pull door pressure gauge is the only way for building owners to know if their doors are still up to standard.

Keep in mind that ensuring doors have proper opening force isn’t only about ticking off a box on an inspection form. A door that requires too much power to open can make it harder for injured people to access the building. A door that opens too quickly can be a safety hazard when it swings wildly at the slightest pull. And during an emergency, you don’t want fire doors that trap people trying to use the fire escape.

A push-pull door pressure gauge is a simple tool, but using it can help a building remain accessible and in compliance with rules. These tools are so useful that building managers for large structures may want to have several. A team of employees equipped with these gauges can check all of the doors in the building in one day. It’s so quick and easy to use that building managers can make ADA compliance audits a part of the routine responsibilities for their maintenance crews.

If you’re looking for a high-quality push-pull door pressure gauge, you can find one at All Things Inspector. Our gauge is easy to use, pocket-sized and easy to read. The gauge is designed to be extremely durable and should last up to 35 years at ordinary usage rates. A building inspector or construction manager can use one of our gauges for their entire career.  You can buy them individually, or get a combo pack to save money on tools for your crew.

All Things Inspectors has many other tools that can help construction managers and building managers check their structures for ADA compliance. Check our shop to see some of the items we have available and send us a message online if you have any questions.

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Why Door Gap Guages Are Essential Tools for Building Inspectors

A door gap gauge may seem like a minor piece of equipment, but it’s a vital tool for good building inspectors. A worker is only as good as their tools allow them to be, so it’s important to make sure you have the right tools for any job at hand. This is especially true for building inspectors and construction workers. Measurements can’t be close, they need to be as precise as possible. A precise door gap gauge is an essential piece of equipment for building inspectors, IOR’s, Fire Marshals and construction professionals.

A door gap gauge is a simple tool that can be used to measure the clearance requirements of doors per NFPA 80 code compliance. Since all it takes is a misaligned door, clearance requirements are among the most commonly cited issues for fire door non-compliance. When checking the clearance of a door, using a door gap gauge is faster and more accurate then using a tape measure. Having a door gap gauge will speed up the process of inspecting fire doors while reducing any potential errors. It’s as easy as sliding it under the door.

At All Things Building Inspector, we have door gap gauges in single packs up to multipacks with six door gap gauges. Depending on their size and purpose, buildings can have a large number of fire doors. A team of inspectors, each equipped with a door gap gauge can quickly check all the fire doors of a large structure. Fire door gap gauges are already inexpensive, so they easily pay for themselves in the time they save building inspectors.

Ensuring that doors don’t have gaps that are too large is important for the safety of the building occupants. Fire doors and walls are designed to prevent the spread of a fire. They are often used to protect escape routes like hallways and stairwells. If a door has large gaps, the fire could spread into these areas and trap people trying to evacuate.

Aside from protecting the people in the building, ensuring that their doors meet NFPA regulations is important for the finances of the building owner. NFPA violations start at $100 per violation per day. It doesn’t take a lot of misaligned doors or a lot of time for these violations to become large fines for building owners. This is why the maintenance staff should also have access to door gap gauges. This way, they can quickly check the compliance of all of the doors and make any necessary adjustments.

Builders can also use a door gap gauge during the construction process. Fire door compliance should be at the forefront of new construction. Ensuring that all fire doors meet NFPA requirements when they are first installed reduces the amount of time making adjustments at the end of the project. Fire door gap gauges have made it easier than ever to check this aspect of a building before an inspection.

If you’re ready to upgrade to a better door gap gauge, All Things Inspector has everything you need. Besides having the best door gap gauge type in various quantities, we have vital information to help building inspectors ensure their doors are NFPA 80 compliant. Visit the link below to watch a video and to start shopping for your next door gap gauge.

Other Door Gap Gauge Resources From All Things Inspector:

Instructions on how to use a Door Gap Gauge

Download All Things Inspectors Door Inspection Form