Commercial building contractors must ensure the safety of occupants as well as the public that will enter and exit the building regularly. Certain codes of safe occupancy must be met in a commercial construction whether retail office or manufacturing building. Inspectors determine if buildings meet state regulations and award a certificate of occupancy before the building is opened for occupation. Building owners and managers who know what inspectors look for during and after the construction will ensure the building gets a pass on the first walk through. 

Structure
The structure of a commercial building should be engineered to withstand maximum expected load. There are many climatic conditions that buildings are exposed to including scorching sun, rain and hurricane force winds among others. Multi-story buildings should be designed to withstand the effects of such weather conditions. 

Some building regulations dictate that buildings be fitted with necessary insulation to fit heating and cooling requirements. Building managers and owners should exceed these requirements. Commercial building inspection includes an assessment of the elevator or staircase to see if they ensure adequate entry and exit for maximum number of people expected in the commercial premise at one time. 

Utilities
Electrical systems should fill the slate. They should exceed maximum power requirements of the building. Wiring must meet insulation and rated current standards. Always exceed the requirements on conductivity and current wiring and lighting system installations in commercial premises. This is an important part of the inspection because electrical systems are the leading causes of fire in commercial buildings. Fire occurs when buildings are expanded, new electricity-powered equipment installed but not an upgrade of existing breakers and wiring systems. Anticipate future use when installing electrical systems. 

Plumbing regulations require buildings to have adequate outlets particularly in fire suppression systems or sprinklers. Water mains to a building should exceed the maximum flow required. Ensure sanitation by having adequate sewer and draining connections into and out of the building. Inspectors are particularly keen on these requirements especially on commercial premises for food preparation and processing. 

Fire
Inspectors look for safety features and ensure they meet all the requirements including fire escapes, protected electrical circuits, lighted exit signs and fire escapes. Commercial buildings should have a ready supply of fire extinguishers because they have many people who go in and out of such premises. Some of them may not know how they can cause an ignition. Contractors should have plans for worst-case scenarios to avoid tragic loss of life and property from fire. 

Residential Building Inspection Checklist
The purpose of home inspections is to identify problems in the structure that need repair. It is important for property buyers and sellers to know what inspectors look for. 

Vegetation
Ensure there is no vegetation close to the foundation walls. Roots of large trees may cause significant damage to the walls and foundation of the house. Any vegetation within 3 feet of the premise should be removed. 

Steps and Stairs
Inspectors are particularly keen on these areas. They look for potential tripping hazards such as loose planks on wooden stairs and cracked cement steps among others. These should be fixed before the inspection. 

Roof Flashing
Flashing refers to metal pieces located around chimneys and other roof openings. Inadequate flashing can lead to leaks, which cause other problems. Ideally, metal drip edges should stick out just below the roofing shingles. Roofs that are extensively patched around the flashing indicate extensive repair, which may call for a total replacement. 

Water Heater
This should be in top shape before the inspection. Check the heater to ensure there is no frayed water, faulty thermostat or moldy insulation. Replace defunct water heaters before the inspection. 

This commercial and residential inspection checklist will help home and commercial building owners have an idea of what to look for in an inspection. It also helps buyers make a decision to buy or continue looking.