Building inspectors make sure all of us live, work and play in safe buildings.
Because of their dedication to enforcing code requirements, our indoor environments
are warm, dry and safe.
Senior building inspector Ian Douglas is saving lives. "You help set standards
for the community. You have the power to influence and be a bigger part of
the community. Like the firefighters and the police, you're a power within
the community that people must answer to.
"Inspectors make sure the buildings are built correctly so when firefighters
come to fight a fire they're secure in the knowledge that the building has
met the minimum standards and isn't going to come down around them."
Unfortunately, making sure codes are met can be sticky business. Douglas
admits there are three tough parts of the job. "Dropping in on people you
don't know but who are breaking the law by building without a permit, telling
someone to tear something apart because they've done it wrong, or meeting
and talking with upset people who blame you for their problems."
An average workday for Douglas begins by setting appointments, answering
calls and doing paperwork. His first inspection review falls around 10 a.m.
and is quickly followed by others. Around 4 p.m., he begins discussing problems,
doing more paperwork and planning for the next day.
"This job can be very stressful at times, so an ability to cope with stress
is very important," says Douglas. He says it's especially important to keep
your cool when dealing with loud people who are being rude.
The ability to communicate effectively is one of the key elements of the
job. Karla Ruther, a building inspector, advises: "You have to relate to people
who don't want to take 'no' for an answer. The code is always changing, and
sometimes contractors think they may know it all when they don't."
Ruther says a positive attitude is of utmost importance when conflicts
arise. "Always have a positive attitude, because so much is negative toward
a building inspector to begin with."
In the past 10 years, the percentage of women involved in the field has
grown. Ruther was a secretary in a city's code department for 13 years before
she became a building inspector. "I gained a lot of knowledge from being involved
in the department for so long. I wouldn't discourage females from entering
the profession. I had a sheer advantage by working in the office so long."
Roland Hall is a veteran of the business. He agrees that effective communication
is a must. "You're working with a variety of persons -- professionals as well
as homeowners -- and you're often in the position of making the decision that
things need to be changed to meet code requirements."
The variety of the job is what Hall enjoys most. "There's the opportunity
to work on different projects, from highrise hospitals to single-family homes.
You know you're doing a job that impacts the future.
"Most building inspectors work in municipal or state offices, although
there is some opportunity to work in private industry with architectural or
engineering firms. There are also private inspection companies."
Rick Fraser, a certified building inspector, finds it a challenging and
rewarding field.
"You're involved in a multifaceted industry comprised of many quality trades
and professions. You are on the leading edge of some new and exciting technologies
and have first-hand knowledge of what our future will look like," says Fraser.
Fraser notes that there is a need for qualified building inspectors here
and in other countries. "I've been able to see...vast improvements in the
quality of living conditions as a direct result of building inspection services.
It's incomprehensible to try and determine the number of lives that have been
saved as a result of good building inspectors.
"How often do you read headlines about the fire department saving a young
boy from a fire? What people fail to realize is that the building inspector
made sure the fire in the rest of the building was unable to enter that apartment
because he made sure fire separations were in place to allow time for the
fire department to arrive."
Although the job seems straightforward enough, occasionally there are twists.
Fraser recalls one inspector who was almost lunch for a python: "A two-storey
wood framed apartment was built on a crawl space, which was only within the
minimum clearance requirements, and so he had to physically crawl inside it.
The building inspector entered the crawl space and was moving on his back
looking upwards while inspecting the floor system and supporting element."
Meanwhile, the fire inspector and owner walking above were discussing a
12-foot python the tenant in a neighboring apartment had lost! "At that point,
the inspector envisioned crawling into the open mouth of a large python in
this dark and confined space. Needless to say, there was a hasty retreat out
of the crawl space!" says Fraser.
"It can be a very rewarding profession," says Fraser. "One that has its
ups and downs, but it's filled with excitement and a sense of worth."