Building inspectors check to ensure that desired building standards of safety and structure quality is achieved. Some building inspectors specialize in electrical systems, ensuring that lighting, generating and wiring systems meet the safety standards. Those specializing in fire safety ensure that fire sprinklers, exits and alarm systems are properly fitted and in good working condition. Elevator inspectors examine escalators, hoists, elevators and amusement rides. There are also plumbing inspectors whose work is to verify that water supply lines, drainage systems and general plumbing systems are in good condition. Public works inspectors check to make sure that bridges, highways and dams meet building codes and regulations.
How to Become a Building Inspector
To be a building inspector, you must possess a high school diploma and a specialized certificate from a college or university. After passing civil service examinations, check government job listings available in many public libraries all over the country and employment offices for placement. Classified advertisements in the papers or job banks on the internet carry information on job opportunities for building inspectors as well.
Types, Description, Information
In public agencies, advancement majorly depends on passing the civil service examinations for promotions. A building inspector can be a construction inspector, and this requires further knowledge and involves greater responsibility. Building inspectors are mostly assigned to big construction projects to be the resident inspectors. With assistance from engineers, contractors and architects, they ensure that buildings conform to building codes and assist in enforcing specifications, plans and technical requirements.
Qualifications: Courses, Training, Certification
This career requires a formal training with a minimum college diploma in a building inspection related field.
Schools, Colleges, Universities
The most common and globally accepted course is Building Inspection Technology offered by many universities, technical colleges and training institutes. Popular colleges for this include:
- North Hennepin Community College– Brooklyn
- Utah Valley University–Utah
- Butte College – California
- San Diego Mesa College
- Cosumnes River College – California
Job opportunities, Salaries and Recruitment
Almost half of building inspectors work for local governments. The rest are either employed by construction companies, self employed or act as building inspection consultants for both private companies and local governments. The numbers of jobs available for building inspectors vary depending on the construction activities taking place in an area. However, these jobs are expected to grow faster through 2014 because unlike other construction workers, building inspectors are seldom laid off. An average building inspector earns between $25 and $50 an hour, but this largely varies depending on the state of employment, the company or government institution they work under. The annual average is $50,000.
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