Torbay Council

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The Inspection Process

Site inspections are carried out, on request, at a number of statutory and certain other stages. The number and type of inspections will be discussed at the first visit (Commencement) when the Building Control Officer will start to complete the Site Inspection Record folder which is provided for use during your building project and should be completed at each stage. The use of the Building Notice procedure may require additional inspections. These are set out below with notes which may assist you or your builder.

1) Commencement (Statutory)

The Building Control Officer will respond to this notification and take the opportunity to generally discuss the project, remind "the builder" of any conditions on the approval and check that the site is as shown, particularly in respect of drain layout and depths. This is normally your builder’s first contact with officers and is an opportunity to discuss and clarify any concerns you may have.

2) Foundation excavation (Statutory)

This inspection is to ensure that the ground upon which the building is to be founded is satisfactory. The Building Control Surveyor will consider various aspects during this inspection, including:
  1. The load bearing capacity of the ground;
  2. The proximity and depth of any drain;
  3. Any indication of filled ground, generally or limited areas;
  4. The depth of existing foundations; and;
  5. Proximity of trees, or trees already removed.

3) Foundation concrete (Statutory)

There is little to be gained by just inspecting concrete in the ground. It is generally more useful for the blockwork to be built up to damp-proof course level and the inspection carried out before backfilling. The position of the walling on the foundations can be checked and any special details inspected.

4) Oversite (Statutory)

The main points will be the suitability of any hardcore use, sand blinding to protect the damp-proof membrane, the DPM itself is of the correct thickness and any joints are rolled or taped, sufficient DPM is left turned up in the walls to tie in with DPC (new and existing), the floor insulation is laid with tight joints and turned up the edge of the slab.

5) DPC (Statutory)

The damp-proof course will be checked to ensure suitability and width of material, laps and joints, lapped over existing DPC, clear of cavity internally. The DPC/cavity arrangements at the junction with the existing will also be checked. Any concrete fill within the cavity must finish at least 150mm below DPC level. Generally there is no objection to some walling having been laid above DPC level, when the inspection is carried out. This enables us to ensure external wall construction is correct at this level.

6) Laying of drains (Statutory)

A number of details including those listed below will be looked at on this inspection and the request should be submitted before the drains are backfilled.
  1. Suitability of material used;
  2. Fall and line of drain;
  3. Material used for bed and surround; and
  4. Access points.

7) Floor joists (Non-statutory)

The size, grade and centre of joists will be checked together with bearings, lateral restraint straps and herringbone strutting.

8) Roof timbers (Non-statutory)

Again, size, grade and centre of timbers together with bracing, lateral restraint and wall plate straps will be checked. It is advisable to request the inspection prior to felt and battens being applied.

9) Test on drains (Statutory)

An air or water test of all above and below ground drainage is required. It is helpful if the test can be set up and ready for the Building Control Surveyor when he calls. It is appreciated that this may cause difficulty when existing drains are affected.

10) Occupation (Statutory)

When a building is occupied before completion the Authority should be notified. If the premises are put to a commercial use, the Fire Authority will need to be informed and Part B (fire safety) Certificate issued.

11) Completion (Statutory)

The completion inspection should be arranged by your builder to provide a successful conclusion to your building project. You should bear in mind that if notification has been provided when requested throughout the project, there should be no outstanding matters at this stage and the officer can issue a Completion Certificate.
Items checked at this stage, include:
  1. Fire precautions and requirements (these can apply even in a small extension);
  2. Ventilation to rooms and roof voids;
  3. Waste details;
  4. Roof coverings and insulation;
  5. Staircase details; and
  6. Safety Glazing;
  7. Test certificates may also be requested at this stage.
Completion Certificate
The certificate will be issued on satisfactory completion of the work.
It is most important that you obtain the necessary certificate as solicitors will specifically check this if you come to sell your property. If you cannot produce the appropriate documents it is unlikely the sale will proceed without delay.



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