New Process Reduces Escambia Required Residential Building Inspections From 22 To Just 8

April 8, 2011

The Escambia County Commission voted Thursday to make changes to the Building Inspection Division that could reduce the number of residential building inspection trips from 22 to eight per job by using multiple-licensed inspectors.

The changes will allow individual, single trade, state-licensed inspectors to attain multiple building inspection licenses. Having staff members with multiple licenses will mean plans can be reviewed quicker and fewer trips to construction sites to perform inspections will be necessary, according to county officials, saving valuable staff time, fuel costs, plan review delays, streamline inspection scheduling and lower overall operation costs.

Many jurisdictions use the multiple-licensed inspectors approach in staffing their Building Inspections Departments as a means to ease budget constraints, Sonya Daniel, county spokesperson, said. A multiple-licensed individual is allowed to inspect and/or conduct the required plan reviews of any category for which they possess a state license. It is anticipated to take up to 18 months for all staff to receive the multiple licenses.

Florida Statute 468 requires individuals to be licensed with the Department of Building and Professional Regulation in order to conduct the required construction inspections of work performed, and to approve construction plans for permitting purposes, in the fields of building, mechanical, electrical or plumbing construction. They receive this license by successfully passing both the Florida Principles and Practices Exam and the specific trade examination they have applied for.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News