Any building or project that does not fall under the above two categories would meet the requirements for a commercial inspection.
Multi-unit Residential
Any residential building with more than two units belongs to this category. This includes new buildings, renovations or additions to this building type.
Common examples include triplexes, fourplexes, sixplexes, boarding houses, townhomes, lodges, large apartments, condos and hotels.
Small Commercial
Any building that is three storeys or less in height, with a building area not more than 600m2 (6458 sq.ft.) and is used for business, personal services, low or medium-hazard storage, production or manufacturing may belong to this category.
Common examples include banks, offices, hair salons and spas, clinics, retail stores and shops.
Change of Use
Any conversion of building use would require a commercial inspection. Common examples are one or two dwelling unit to multi-unit conversion and conversion to offices, spas, salons, group/care homes, or daycare.
Building Systems
Any upgrades to an existing system or addition of a new system would require a commercial inspection. This includes upgrades to:
- Fire Alarm System
- Roof replacement
- HVAC upgrades
- Plumbing System
- Structural System
Large Commercial Buildings
Any building larger than three storeys in height, with a building area more than 600m2 (6458 sq.ft.) or used for assembly, care or high hazard storage, production or manufacturing belongs to this category.This includes new buildings, renovations or additions to this building type.
Common examples include hospitals, schools, daycare centres, gymnasia, restaurants, clubs and churches.
Find out how to contact an inspector when ready for inspection.
Building inspections
Inspections are required at the following stages of construction for a commercial building or a large project.
- Excavation prior to constructing foundation and footings.
- Completion of foundation and footings prior to backfilling.
- Soil gas barrier/ground insulation prior to placing floor slab.
- Completion of structural framing and mechanical ductwork.
- Completion of insulation.
- Completion of air/vapour barrier systems prior to finishing.
- Completion of all required fire separations and closures.
- Completion of all fire protection systems (fire alarm, emergency lighting).
- Completion of fire access routes.
- Rough-in of wood burning appliances and chimneys.
- Readiness for occupancy.
- Final inspection
Plumbing inspections
Plumbing inspections are required at the following stages of construction for new detached homes.
- Completion of the sewage system prior to backfilling.
- Completion of plumbing system installation not located in a structure prior to backfilling.
- Readiness for inspection and testing of
- Building sewers and building drains
- Water service pipes
- Fire service mains
- Drainage and venting systems
- Water Distribution system
- Plumbing fixtures and appliances
- In-floor heating systems
- Completion of all wet fire protection systems (standpipe, sprinkler).
- Readiness for inspection of suction and gravity outlets, covers, piping outlets and circulation or recirculation system of an outdoor pool.
- Readiness for occupancy
- Final inspection
Download information sheet
Download commercial and other projects information sheet