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Commerical Inspection Requirements

The following is a listing of inspection requirements for commercial construction projects. The list is intended to itemize the more common inspections but may not include every required inspection on any given project. Always check with your project Inspector for specific details. For purposes of this information, a commercial construction project is defined as the construction of any building other than a one or two family dwelling. For more information, please contact the Inspectional Services Division at 813/274-3100.

Commercial Site Inspections

Pre-Site Inspection

  1. Performed when plans are submitted for permits, does not require an inspection request.

Site Clearing (prior to starting construction)

  1. All tree protection barricades must be in place.
  2. Silt barriers must be in place.
  3. All root and limb pruning must be completed.
  4. All permitted trees removed or relocated.
  5. All demolition completed.

Driveway Apron and Sidewalks

  1. All construction in the Right of Way must be inspected before and after placing concrete or installing any other improvements.
  2. Forms must be in place to proper depth (driveway aprons to be 6" minimum and sidewalks not in the driveway are to be 4" minimum) and location. Maximum sidewalk side slope is 1/2" to the foot, and maximum pedestrian ramp slope is 1" to the foot.
  3. Subgrade must be compacted and density tested.
  4. No reinforcement is allowed in driveway or sidewalks.
  5. Expansion joint material shall be used between apron and curb, at property line and to separate new work from existing.
  6. Granite curb may be lowered to 1" above the existing edge of pavement or replaced with concrete curb installed per City standards.

Masonry Fences (walls)

  1. Foundation must be located as shown on the approved plans.
  2. Size of excavation must be as shown on plans and bottom a minimum of 18" below grade.
  3. Reinforcing must be supported and with the minimum number of laps.
  4. Lintel/tie beam must be installed/formed as shown on the approved plans.
  5. Weep holes (if required) must be located at grade elevation.

Culverts

  1. Only material and size as specified on the approved plans may be used.
  2. Pipe location, and invert elevations must be as shown on the approved plans.
  3. All culverts must be inspected during placement, before covering, and after completion. Density tests must be performed along both sides of the excavation at the springline, and over the pipe at one (1) foot intervals.
  4. All joints must be wrapped with filter fabric and banded.
  5. Mitered end sections or headwalls must be installed per the approved plans.

Right-of-Way Improvements

  1. All tie-ins to existing City facilities must be inspected.
  2. All culverts, manholes, inlets, curbs, curb and gutters, grading, paving and restoration in right of way must be inspected.

Vault, Infiltrator System or Underdrain Systems

  1. No limestone (DOT 57 rock) is allowed in these systems.
  2. Do not cover until all connections and rock has been approved. Inspections can be called for in phases in order to allow access to the site.
  3. All reinforcement steel and forms must be inspected prior to placing concrete.

Final Inspections

  1. A partial inspection can be requested for landscaping material approval. All required trees planted on site (see plans for size), in good health. Tree cannot be planted as block drainage or in any manner that will cause a problem at a later time.
  2. A partial inspection can be requested as a pre-sod approval. All paving must be in place, all required gutters, downspouts, swales, retention ponds, vaults, underdrains, infiltrator systems, control structures, and any other required drainage features. All site grading and elevations must be as shown on the approved plans and all sod must be in place. An Engineer's Certification is required on all engineered projects and as-built drawings are required for any work performed in the right of way.
  3. After parking lot striping is in place, driveways, sidewalks, culverts, headwalls, mitered end sections, right of way restoration and any other improvements in the right of way are completed.

Commercial Building Inspections

Foundations, Grade Beams, Pile Caps, Foundation Pads

  1. All trenches or excavations and formwork shall be in accordance with the size(s) and configuration(s) as per approved plans.
  2. Area within excavation or forms must be properly compacted.
  3. The bottoms of all foundations shall be a minimum of 12" (inches) below grade unless designed differently by an Architect or Engineer.
  4. All steel reinforcement must be in place, and properly sized, supported, spaced, overlapped, and tied as required.
  5. Foundation survey shall be provided or property markers shall be exposed and strung up to verify property setback requirements.
  6. All concealed electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical components must be completed, tested and passed inspection before covering.

Slab Inspection

  1. All excavations and/or forms erected in accordance with the size and configuration as per the approved plans.
  2. Area within excavation of formwork must be properly compacted.
  3. Provide certification of soil treatment where required.
  4. Vapor barrier, steel reinforcement and expansion joint materials properly in placed.
  5. All concealed electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical components must be completed, tested and passed inspection before covering.

Column/Tie Beam Inspection

  1. Masonry walls must be complete and steel reinforcement in place properly overlapped, supported and tied.
  2. All tie beams and columns must be installed and/or formwork erected in accordance with the size(s) and configuration(s) as per approved plans.
  3. All formwork must be properly braced, supported and tightly constructed.
  4. All cleanouts must be provided and the vertical cell clean of all debris.
  5. All concealed electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical components must be completed, tested and passed inspection before covering.
  6. Provide certificate of elevation when required (flood zones).

Sheathing Inspection

  1. All wall and roof sheathing must be installed in accordance with the fastening schedule on the approved plans and shall be inspected prior to dry-in.

Framing Inspection

  1. All framing, bracing, fireblocking, draftstopping and anchoring devices must be in place and installed in accordance with the type, sizes(s) and configuration(s) on the approved plans.
  2. Walls, partitions, floors, floor/ceiling and roof ceiling assemblies must be installed in accordance with the approved plans.
  3. Rooms, spaces, corridors, accessibility areas and doorways shall be sized and configured in accordance with the approved plans.
  4. The building must be weather-tight and the roof dried- in, windows and doors installed and completed.
  5. Fireplace and chimney must be installed and provided with the proper clearances as per manufacturer specifications.
  6. Every sleeping room in dwellings and dwelling units must have emergency egress openings (windows) which shall be sized and installed per code.
  7. Attic and crawl space ventilation must be provided.
  8. All concealed electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical components must be completed, tested and passed inspection before covering.
  9. All safety glazing in hazardous locations must be in place and properly identified.
  10. Provide certificate of elevation when required (flood zone).

Insulation Inspection

  1. Framing inspection approval required before insulation inspection can be performed.
  2. All concealed insulation, i.e. bats, blankets, foils, and etc. must be in place, properly fastened and supported in accordance with the approved plans and industry standards.
  3. All exterior envelope penetrations shall be caulked and sealed.
  4. Baffles or an equivalent method of protecting attic ventilation must be provided.

Final Inspection

  1. The building or structure must be substantially complete and ready for occupancy, or the work for which the permit is required, must be complete.
  2. All life safety systems and accessories must be in place and functional (refer to Fire Marshall requirements).
  3. All required firestopping and draftstopping must be installed, i.e. penetrations, vertical/horizontal assemblies, smoke walls, firedoor assemblies, etc.
  4. All stairs, handrails and guardrails complete.
  5. Attic and crawl space access and ventilation must be completed.
  6. Attic insulation must be completed and certificate of insulation displayed.
  7. All ramps, facilities and accessories to accommodate the handicapped must be in place.
  8. Post address as required.

Specialty Building Inspections

Siding Pre-Inspection

  1. Pre-inspection required on existing building only before the application of siding materials, i.e., aluminum, vinyl, stucco, etc.
  2. Repairs to existing framing, sheathing and/or siding must be complete to maintain soundness and structural integrity of wall.

Lathing Inspection

  1. Lathing inspection is required when lathing metal, plaster or drywall for fire protection purposes.
  2. Framing inspection approval required before lathing inspection can be performed.
  3. Lathing must be in place, properly overlapped and fastened in accordance with the approved plans and/or recognized assembly requirements.
  4. Expansion joints, corner beads and other accessories must be in place.
  5. Firestopping of all penetrations and junctures of horizontal and vertical assemblies must be in place.

Pool Steel Inspection

  1. All trenches must be excavated and/or forms erected in accordance with the size(s) and configuration(s) as per approved plans.
  2. All steel reinforcement must be in place; and properly sized, spaced, overlapped and supported.
  3. Foundation survey shall be provided or property markers shall be exposed and strung up to verify property setback requirements.
  4. All concealed electrical and plumbing components must be completed, tested and passed inspection before covering.

Steel Framing Inspection

  1. All structural steel framing, bracing, firestopping, draftstopping, sheathing materials and anchoring devices must be in place and installed in accordance with the type, size(s) and configuration(s) on the approved plans.
  2. All riveting, bolting, bracing, welding and uplift components must be completed.
  3. Fireproofing materials must be in place and installed in accordance with approved plans and/or recognized assembly requirements.
  4. All bolting and job-site welding must be certified by an engineer.

Commercial Electrical Inspections

Under-Slab Inspection

  1. All conduits, raceways, grounding, and other components must be installed in open excavations.
  2. All openings in conduits shall be sealed.
  3. Inspected prior to any backfill being put in place.

Rough-in Inspection

  1. All conduits, raceway boxes and other components must be in place and secured to studs and ceiling joists.
  2. All panel boxes must be in place with wiring connected to terminals.
  3. Wiring must be installed in conduits, raceways, and panels.
  4. All wiring joints shall be completed.
  5. Electrical rough-in must be approved prior to concealment.

Electrical Service Inspection

  1. Conduit for overhead/underground service must be properly attached. Weatherhead must have raincaps with conductors having proper drip loop.
  2. Meter can must have a lightning arrestor, and the service must be properly grounded.
  3. Thru-roof risers must have a weatherproof boot installed.

Temporary Power

  1. Submit written request for release of temporary power for testing of equipment.
  2. Building must be relatively weathertight.
  3. Electrical panels and rooms must be secure
  4. All fees must be paid.
  5. Call for inspection with "Test Power" in comments.

Final Inspection

  1. All switches, receptacles, fixtures and devices must be installed or openings properly closed.
  2. All panels must have breakers installed, and have covers installed with all circuits labeled.

Swimming Pool/Spa Inspection

  1. All metal components, deck steel, pool reinforcing and pool enclosure must be bonded together.
  2. One GFI receptacle must be installed in the proper location.
  3. Junction box/pool light, installed, must be completed and visible for inspection of bonding to pool lights.
  4. Pool electrical inspection must be approved prior to concealment.

Commercial Mechanical Inspections

Rough-in Inspection

  1. Air handler(s) installed.
  2. Secondary drain pan and drain lines.
  3. Access to unit.
  4. Refrigerant piping.
  5. All duct work including firedampers and access doors.
  6. Refrigerant rupture line to be installed.
  7. Gas vents to be installed.
  8. Combustion air ducts installed.
  9. Mechanical closets for attic mounted equipment to be framed in.
  10. Boiler to be installed.

Final Inspection

  1. Grilles installed.
  2. All equipment installed.
  3. All pressurization and smoke removal systems are operational.
  4. Fire and smoke sensors operational.
  5. Fire and smoke dampers complete and operational.
  6. Duct chases are complete.
  7. Gas vents to be connected to appliances.
  8. Electrical disconnects installed.

Pressure Test Inspection

  1. Condenser water, chilled water, hot water or steam piping with associated valves and gauges are pressurized.

Hood Rough-in Inspection

  1. All fresh air and exhaust duct(s) are installed.

Hood (Second Rough-in) Inspection

  1. Combustible material has been protected.
  2. Chase has been constructed.

Hood Final Inspection

  1. Hood is installed and connected to duct.
  2. Firedampers and access doors (when required) are installed.
  3. Grease filters are installed.
  4. Fans or blowers are installed.
  5. Fire suppression system is installed.

Refrigeration System Inspection

  1. Box assembly completed.
  2. Blower and coils installed.
  3. Electrical disconnects installed.
  4. Condensate drains complete.
  5. Condensing unit installed.

Petroleum Tank Inspection

  1. Underground base or dead men in place.
  2. Compacted fill.
  3. Tank in place and anchored.
  4. Pressure test.

Fuel Line Pressure Test Inspection

  1. Lines installed with gauge and pressurization.

Commercial Plumbing Inspections

Under Slab Inspection

  1. All underground water and sewer lines must be installed, and the excavation left uncovered. Thru-slab stub outs must be in place and correctly sleeved. All piping tested, inspected and passed before covering.

Rough-in Inspections

  1. All piping must be properly supported, and all water and sewer lines must have the proper test and passed inspection before covering.

Tub Set Inspection

  1. All tub and showers must be in place and all drains must be connected. The fixtures must be filled to overflow for test and passed inspection before covering.
  2. All water piping and diverter valves shall be tested, inspected and passed before covering.
  3. All vents must be installed and must exit properly through the roof.

Final Inspection

  1. All fixtures must be installed connected to the water and sewer systems in proper working order.
  2. All hosebibs must have a non-removable vacuum breaker.
  3. All inspections have passed up to final stage. The site utilities and irrigation must be finaled too.

Sewer Inspection

  1. All piping must be in place, under proper test and properly supported. Excavations are to be left uncovered until the inspection is made and passed.
  2. All cleanouts must be properly installed, and the line must be closed off and filled with water to check for leaks.

Irrigation Inspection

  1. Backflow preventer and rain check must be properly installed, and piping must be in place to pass final inspection.

Commercial Site Utilities, Distribution and Collection Systems

  1. Obtain the permit and materials for the job site. Call the first inspection before the installation to check for proper materials and to discuss inspectional procedures.
  2. Periodic inspections during installation.
  3. Final testing on sanitary, storm, and water distribution.

Swimming Pools

Rough In Inspection

  1. The main drain is installed and filled with water, the valet system and/or pool heating system piping shall be installed, properly tested, inspected and passed before covering.

Pool Perimeter

  1. Plumbing inspection is an open ditch inspection with exposed pipes, properly tested, inspected and passed before covering.

Final Inspection

    1. The pool piping is completed and tested at a pressure of not less than 25 pounds.

Natural Gas Inspections

Rough In Inspections

The pressure test on new installations is 20 lbs. on a 30 pound gage.

Final Inspections

  1. After the fixtures have been set, a manometer test and final should be called before the fixtures are in operation. If any of the fixtures or appliances require immediate service, then contact your local gas company.

Copyright © 1996-2008 City of Tampa.  All rights reserved. - Last Updated: 2/27/2008