Building Inspection Checklists & Templates
Template Library > Property Inspection Templates > Building Inspections & Audits
Key to Efficient Audits: Building Inspection Checklist Forms & Templates
Inspectors and property managers can use building inspection checklists to evaluate and record the condition of commercial, residential, public and other facility buildings. These checklists can be used to assess the building’s structural features, utilities, safety protocols, compliance with building codes, and more.
Using a building condition assessment checklist offers several benefits that include:
- Enhanced safety and compliance
- Efficient preventive and corrective maintenance
- Consistent, accurate, and comprehensive data collection
With the GoAudits Property Inspection App, you can:
- Eliminate paperwork: conduct efficient digital audits, add photos from mobile device
- Customize this template or easily create your own
- Save time with instant reports & assign corrective actions
Permits And Plans
Exterior
Decks, Stairs, And Walkways
30. Do exterior doors have landings, minimum 36"x 36", or per size of door opening? The floor or landing at the exit door shall not be more than 1.5” lower than the top of the threshold. Floors or landing at doors other than the exit door don’t have to meet this requirement. May step down 7 3/4" below the door opening unless the door swings over the landing. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of a door, other than the required exit door, a landing is not required for the exterior side of the door.
| Photo Comment |
Interior
Attics
Crawl Space
Stairs And Handrails - Windows And Glazing
1. Is the bedroom window sill, not more than 44" from the floor to the bottom of the window opening? Does it have a minimum clear opening of 5.7 sq.ft., a minimum width of 20", and a minimum height of 24"? Are grade floor openings meeting the minimum 5 sq. ft. clear opening requirement?
| Photo Comment |
9. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing in fixed or operable panels adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24” arc of either vertical edge of the door in a closed position and where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60” above the walking surface.
| Photo Comment |
10. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel with an exposed area greater than 9 sq.ft., a bottom edge less than 18” above the floor, a top edge greater than 36” above the floor, and one or more walking surfaces within 36” horizontally of the glazing (except when a protective 1 ½” wide bar is installed on the accessible side of the glazing 34”- 38” above the floor and capable of withstanding a load of 50lbs per linear foot).
| Photo Comment |
13. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings, and ramps within 36” horizontally of a walking surface when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 36” above the plane of the adjacent walking surface (except when a handrail or guard is installed)
| Photo Comment |
14. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing adjacent to stairways within a 60” arc horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway less than 180 degrees from the bottom tread nosing when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 36” above the nose of the tread (except when the side of the stair, landing, or ramp has a guard or handrail with balusters or in-fill panels and the plane of the glass is more than 18” from the railing).
| Photo Comment |
Permits And Plans
Exterior
Decks, Stairs, And Walkways
30. Do exterior doors have landings, minimum 36"x 36", or per size of door opening? The floor or landing at the exit door shall not be more than 1.5” lower than the top of the threshold. Floors or landing at doors other than the exit door don’t have to meet this requirement. May step down 7 3/4" below the door opening unless the door swings over the landing. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of a door, other than the required exit door, a landing is not required for the exterior side of the door.
| Photo Comment |
Interior
Attics
Crawl Space
Stairs And Handrails - Windows And Glazing
1. Is the bedroom window sill, not more than 44" from the floor to the bottom of the window opening? Does it have a minimum clear opening of 5.7 sq.ft., a minimum width of 20", and a minimum height of 24"? Are grade floor openings meeting the minimum 5 sq. ft. clear opening requirement?
| Photo Comment |
9. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing in fixed or operable panels adjacent to a door where the nearest vertical edge is within a 24” arc of either vertical edge of the door in a closed position and where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60” above the walking surface.
| Photo Comment |
10. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing in an individual fixed or operable panel with an exposed area greater than 9 sq.ft., a bottom edge less than 18” above the floor, a top edge greater than 36” above the floor, and one or more walking surfaces within 36” horizontally of the glazing (except when a protective 1 ½” wide bar is installed on the accessible side of the glazing 34”- 38” above the floor and capable of withstanding a load of 50lbs per linear foot).
| Photo Comment |
13. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing adjacent to stairways, landings, and ramps within 36” horizontally of a walking surface when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 36” above the plane of the adjacent walking surface (except when a handrail or guard is installed)
| Photo Comment |
14. Is safety glazing installed at hazardous locations - Glazing adjacent to stairways within a 60” arc horizontally of the bottom tread of a stairway less than 180 degrees from the bottom tread nosing when the exposed surface of the glass is less than 36” above the nose of the tread (except when the side of the stair, landing, or ramp has a guard or handrail with balusters or in-fill panels and the plane of the glass is more than 18” from the railing).
| Photo Comment |
Save Time with Digital Inspections
- Easily capture & attach photos, directly on your mobile device.
- Instantly generate and share detailed reports after the inspection.
- Track corrective actions, view historical trends, improve standards.
What is a Building Inspection Checklist?
A building inspection checklist is a document used by inspectors to systematically assess the condition of a building. It helps standardize inspections and ensure that inspectors cover all the areas necessary for a safe dwelling for the existing or future occupants.
Although the building owner or property manager can fill out a basic building inspection form sample, it is recommended to work with a professional inspector for accurate assessment.
A building inspection sheet should include sections related to structure, safety, utility services, maintenance and compliance. Depending on the location and the type of the building, there may be specific sections related to basements, attics, lead poisoning, etc.
Importance of Building Audit Checklists
Building audit checklists provide a structured framework to evaluate a property’s condition consistently and thoroughly. With each item enlisted, checklists reduce the risk of missing out on any important detail. Furthermore, they help inspectors save time by avoiding the pitfalls of unstructured inspections.
Besides its primary function of identifying issues, a building inspection checklist sample can assist in prioritizing repairs and maintenance tasks. This ensures critical problems are addressed promptly, thereby solidifying the safety of the occupants.
By using checklists, inspectors can verify if buildings comply with safety regulations and industry standards, mitigating potential risks and liabilities for their clients.
👉 Explore: GoAudits template library covering all types of building & property inspection checklists.
Types of Building Inspection Checklist Templates
Building inspection checklists can be broadly classified into two types.
Building Inspection Forms Based on Property Type
These are property management building inspection checklists that cover the overall structure and quality of the property. These require inspectors to review the property for any signs of damage and suggest corrective and preventive measures based on the building codes and local regulations.
- Commercial building inspection checklist
- Residential building condition assessment checklist
- Facility inspection checklist (this may include checklists for schools, dorms, offices, shopping centers, etc.)
Building Inspection Templates for Different Audit Purposes
These are some specialized building audit checklists that focus on specific purposes:
- Pre-purchase Building Inspection Template: This checklist is designed to assess the condition of a building before a purchase.
- Building Maintenance Inspection Checklist: As the name suggests, it is used to evaluate the overall condition of a building and identify any maintenance issues.
- Code Compliance Inspection Checklist: It is used to verify that a building meets all applicable building codes and federal and state regulations. Some examples include the International Building Code, Building Codes (US), and Building Regulations (UK).
- Building Safety Inspection Checklist: This checklist is used to assess the overall safety of a building. It may include items related to fire safety, electrical safety, structural safety, hazardous materials, etc.
Items to Include in a Building Inspection Form
The exact items and sections in a building inspection template depend on the inspection purpose and thus the checklist type you work with. However, irrespective of these factors a general building inspection checklist has the following sections:
Building Details
The very first section in any building inspection template includes the address of the building, the name of the inspector(s), the date of inspection, and the name of the inspection company.
Building Areas
This comprises the next two sections of a building walkthrough checklist.
Building Exterior
Here you’ll find elements related to the exterior features.
- Roof: Signs of wear, missing or damaged shingles, leaks or visible damages, etc.
- Exterior Walls: Insulation, siding condition, and cracks or other damages.
- Doors and Windows: Functioning locks, no broken glass, and damaged frames.
- Foundation: Signs of settling, the distance between draining and foundation, visible cracks, etc.
Building Interior
This section includes questions about the condition of the elements inside the building.
- DryWalls and Ceilings: Are they structurally sound? What is the finish on the walls and ceilings? Are there any signs of moisture or air leaks?
- Stairways: Are the treads and risers in good condition? Are the stairways wide enough for safe passage? Are handrails on both sides secure?
- Railings: Do railings have any loose or damaged parts? Is the height adequate for occupants’ safety?
- Basement: Are there any signs of mildew or mold? Is the basement flooring in good condition? Is there proper ventilation?
Utilities
It is important to assess the quality of utility services in a building. In some cases, companies offer specialized inspection packages covering only building utilities.
- Plumbing: Includes questions related to leaks, water damage, water pressure, and the functioning of faucets, toilets, drains, etc.
- Electrical System: Check if the wiring is up to date, if there are any exposed wires, and if the residual-current device (RCD) is functional.
- HVAC System: Check if the heating and cooling system is correctly functioning and has clean and well-maintained air filters.
- Pest Control: Look for signs of pests like droppings, review the existing control measures, and verify the reputation of the agency responsible for pest control.
Safety Features
The following are the common safety checks mentioned in most building inspection form templates.
- Fire Safety: Check if all fire extinguishers are functional and the building has a clear fire escape plan.
- Emergency Exits: Verify if the emergency exits are free of obstructions and the exit signs are visible and correctly illuminated.
- Smoke Detectors: Test smoke detectors to ensure they have operational batteries and are functional.
Additional Areas
It has questions related to miscellaneous items like building appliances (if kitchen/canteen/cafeteria appliances are operating and washers, driers, etc., are in working condition) and risks like the presence of radon, asbestos, lead, etc.
Sign-Offs
This is the last section where the inspector signs and certifies the completion of the building inspection. This section also has space for the inspector to rate the overall condition of the building, mention additional remarks or comments, and recommend repairs or replacement tasks.
Other Popular Property Inspection Checklists:
Digitize your Building Inspections
- Easily perform audits anywhere in the facility using a mobile device.
- Attach photos to document issues or prove compliance
- Assign tasks, set deadlines and track progress - all within a single app
- Analyze data from audits to identify trends, pinpoint recurring issues, and assess compliance levels.