Municipal Building Code Inspections

We are contracted with many political subdivisions to perform building inspections. Building inspectors inspect the structural quality and general safety of buildings. Some specialize in such areas as structural steel or reinforced concrete structures. Before construction begins, plan examiners determine whether the plans for the building or other structure comply with building code regulations and if they are suited to the engineering and environmental demands of the building site. Inspectors visit the worksite before the foundation is poured into inspecting the soil condition and positioning and depth of the footings. Later, they return to the site to inspect the foundation after it has been completed then follow with inspections on the electrical, framing, mechanical and plumbing. The size and type of structure, as well as the rate of completion, determine the number of other site visits they must make. Upon completion of the project, they make a final comprehensive inspection.

Some areas are critical to the health and safety of the Texas population. Improperly installed plumbing systems can cause and have caused injury and death through explosions, fires, hospital medical gas contamination, and noxious fumes. Improperly installed plumbing systems can transmit diseases that include typhoid fever, diarrhea, cholera, and amoebic and bacillary dysentery. Sickness or death can occur when noxious fumes such as carbon monoxide, methane gas, and fuel gas are not correctly ventilated by our plumbing systems. Framers are not licensed or certified. Most learned through apprenticing with their fathers or family members. Because many contractors are not licensed in Texas, they rarely possess a copy of the building code. This puts the burden on the building inspectors to ensure the buildings are safe.