Why You Should Hire A Third-Party Firestop Inspector

Performing a firestop inspection is an important part of many construction, renovation, and retrofit projects. It's wise in most circumstances to have a third-party firestop inspector do the work, and here are 6 reasons why.

Independent Perspective

More than anything, someone without a vested interest in your project needs to do the firestop inspection. Working with a third party, you can find someone who will do the job thoroughly and without consideration of what work has already gone into the job. They'll just tell it to you straight about what needs to be improved if the structure doesn't pass.

Experience

Unless you have lots of buildings to inspect every year, there's a good chance that no one who works for you or acts as a contractor on your behalf has the required experience. A third-party firestop inspector sees lots of other buildings every year, and they have experience with buildings that have survived fires with minimal spread. If there's a particular problem with your location, they'll be able to spot it and tell you what they need to see when they visit for the next inspection.

An Understanding of Materials

Fire is a specific creature, and it acts upon different materials in surprising ways. If you're not sure which materials are appropriate for a site, an inspector will quickly tell you whether you're on the right track. They'll provide you with a detailed report at the end of the inspection explaining what needs to go and what can stay.

Certifications

There are lots of certifications when it comes to inspecting firestops. In addition to possible state and local requirements, many safety organizations certify inspectors. Certification ensures the inspector assigned to your project will provide an opinion based on a broad range of scenarios and principles.

Reports

Beyond your internal requirements for a project, reports are handy for satisfying many other needs. You'll likely have to comply with local, state, and federal safety standards. Likewise, many insurers want their customers to have reports from firestop inspections. A financial institution underwriting your project may also want to see detailed reports.

Mitigating Liability

From a legal viewpoint, the liability that can arise from improper implementation of fire safety standards can be massive. If there is a fire at your site, you want to be able to prove that you took every reasonable measure to install firestops and minimize the risks to human life and property.

For more information, reach out to a third-party firestop inspector


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