Building Inspection Engineers: The First Line of Defense
Commercial building inspections, also known as property condition assessments, help commercial building operators, business owners, and investors in New Jersey understand the property’s current condition before deciding to purchase, lease, finance, or do maintenance work on the building structure.
A property condition assessment in NJ is a critical project that requires careful planning and thorough and objective inspection to address structural risks present in the building. A single commercial building inspector can complete a PCA. However, more complex and large-scale properties may also need the knowledge and expertise of specialists such as electrical engineers or structural engineers.
A building inspection engineer in NJ inspects the property’s structural frame and building envelope for defects that may affect the structure’s integrity, such as water infiltration, cracked masonry wall/warped siding, thermal bridges, or cracked foundations and floors.
The structural frame inspection includes evaluating the columns, beams, girders, and trusses, among the structural components designed to support the structure’s stability. Meanwhile, a building envelope inspection includes checking systems that protect the building’s interior from external elements, such as roofing systems, exterior wall systems, air barriers, and foundation walls.
Commercial building engineers will also assess fire escapes and fire extinguishers if they are in good operational order and placed in strategically accessible locations. They will also examine the fire suppression systems to check for physical damage, corrosion, and other defects.
Moreover, with a thorough building inspection, property owners can address issues in the HVAC system and the electrical and mechanical systems. It also ensures compliance with building codes and regulations. An experienced commercial building inspection engineer can verify if the property complies with relevant building regulations and standards in the state of New Jersey.
This infographic from Lockatong Engineering discusses how building inspection engineers serve as the “first line of defense” against risks present in the building.
