Public administration as it relates to a Building Inspections Department

Wayne K. Snell, Inspections Director, City of Irving

Wayne K. Snell, Inspections Director, City of Irving

Public Administrators are characteristically known for having a deep commitment to serving and contributing to the overall improvement of their communities. Public service often describes public administrators and their desire to serve the community. Like many working in municipal government, I accidentally fell into City employment, starting in a Building Inspections Department before ever knowing what Public Administration was. Since then, I often find the general public needing clarification about what a Building Inspections Department does. The simple answer has always been, "ensuring the built environment is safe for occupation." That is our niche within a municipalities function; however, the reality is that we do so much more. While the day-to-day responsibilities of public administrators vary significantly throughout the organization we work for, I would like to describe the work of those serving within a Building Inspections Department and take the opportunity to begin raising the profile of this misunderstood profession.

A Building Inspections department is a specialty area within a city's operation; its responsibilities are broad, but its primary role is ensuring construction work follows the requirements of the municipality's adopted building Codes and ordinances regulations. Many jurisdictions adopt what is known as the International Building Code Series, developed by the International Code Council (ICC), consisting in part of the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Plumbing Code (IPC), International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), International Fire Code (IFC), and National Electrical Code (NEC). Please be mindful that the ICC and NEC update these codes on a three-year cycle requiring continuous education, as much as 20- 40 hours per year of continuing education, to maintain a working knowledge of code changes related to industry advancements.

“Because of the Building Inspections Department's commitment to building safety, our buildings stand, our communities prosper, and the buildings we live in, work in, and play in are more likely to withstand whatever life may throw our way.”

The Public Administrator, or executive most often responsible for the Building Inspections Department, is commonly known as the Building Official. "Building official" is also a catch-all name for various duties, and they are involved in the building process from the initial building plan to the finished product. They are essential, qualified, and dedicated professionals who take safety seriously and are there to help. Their work impacts every building in every community. In small communities, with as few as a single-person department, a Building Official may have multiple responsibilities, such as building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical plan review and inspections, administration work, the one-person show, and not to forget those additional duties as assigned. In other words, if construction is involved and the public can occupy it, a Building Official must review, permit, and inspect it.

Different specialized staff members may perform technical tasks in larger urban areas, such as Permit Techs, providing customer service, processing applications, and issuing permits. The Plans Examiner evaluates the submittal documents before work commences. Inspectors examine the work during the construction phases. However, besides the above, a credentialled Building Official is much like a City Manager with similar responsibilities. Generally speaking, a City Manager is responsible for advising the City Council on the City's financial condition and future needs, recommending policies to the City Council, attending City Council meetings, administration of City Ordinances, Public Speaking, and performing other duties as directed by the City Council. Similarly, a Building Official is responsible for the same things, such as advising City Management on the department's financial condition, budget, and future needs, recommending policies to City Management, attending City related meetings, including City Council Meetings, administration of City Ordinances, Public Speaking, and performing other duties as directed by City Management. All while maintaining the technical knowledge to assist customers by interpreting the code's application to a particular construction situation, explaining minimum requirements, answering questions, and investigating and resolving complaints involving existing buildings and sites.

Although I have spoken about Building Officials, I must mention our closely related colleagues in Code Enforcement or Public Works. For the general public, "Code Enforcement" or "Construction Inspector" adds to the confusion. While these terms are synonymous with building code enforcement, these are usually entirely different disciplines from the Building Inspections Department. Code Enforcement, for instance, are most often Property Maintenance or Housing Inspectors who inspect existing buildings to ensure health or safety violations are not emerging and the condition of the exterior property is not becoming dilapidated. Code Enforcement officers ensure property maintenance per the municipality's Zoning ordinances, an entirely different discipline from the building code. Also, Construction Inspectors are most often part of the Public Works Department. They are the individuals who inspect projects such as roadways, water and sewer systems, streets, and bridges within a municipalities authority. Although they perform inspections, Construction Inspections is a unique discipline from others as these are public works-related engineering inspections, not Building codes.

As such, although the Inspection profession puzzles many and is often misunderstood, many people would like to know and understand it. While May is Building Safety Month every year, I hope this overview unveils the essential roles and integral importance of Building Inspection Departments and the Public Administrators who work within them. Because of the Building Inspections Department's commitment to building safety, our buildings stand, our communities prosper, and the buildings we live in, work in, and play in are more likely to withstand whatever life may throw our way.