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Sustainable Practices for Commercial Buildings

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Our negative environmental impact can be reduced if only we used sustainable practices for commercial buildings! More importantly, these practices can ensure the health and comfort of the building occupants. Moreover, with increased concern regarding global warming, maximizing sustainability has become a priority. 

If you are the owner of a Florida commercial property, new measures have been taken on commercial buildings to limit the effects of climate change. 

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Sustainable Energy Initiatives

Sustainable energy initiatives have been in higher demand focusing on “high-performance buildings.” This concept emphasizes commercial building practices that are energy efficient, durable, functional, and maintainable. For example, builders will focus on setting minimum requirements for material selection, site usage, water conservation, and energy consumption, enhancing indoor air quality, and optimizing operational and maintenance practices. 

Following the Energy Policy Act of 2005, 19 government agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to federal leadership in designing, constructing, and operating High-Performance Sustainable Buildings.”

Then, all states were required to review and consider adopting a new model of energy efficiency standards, marking a renewed emphasis on energy initiatives. 

Top Practices For Sustainable Commercial Buildings

Here are some of the many sustainable practices for commercial buildings: 

1. Air Sealing & Insulation 

Air sealing reduces leaks in the windows and doors, preventing cool air from escaping and warm air from entering. Sealing saves you money on your AC and heating bills. Insulation in your attic, HVAC ducts, basement foundation, and crawl space prevents pollen and insects from entering your home.

Insulation also offers humidity and noise control while keeping your home cooler and saving you money on your utilities. However, both insulation and air sealing work best when used together to maximize your savings.  

2. Sustainable Roofing

With frequent heat waves, sustainable practices for commercial buildings have switched to cool roofs (high heat reflectance) and green roofs (made of vegetation) to provide shade, reducing heat by about 72%. Other lightweight materials, like clay or concrete tiles and metal shingles, are also used in hot climates to reduce heat absorption in commercial buildings.

3. Reduce HVAC Carbon Emissions

In the U.S., HVAC systems emit approximately 117 metric tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere each year. Regular air/filter quality, ventilation, and insulation maintenance limit the system’s strain and decrease CO2 emissions. 

Builders also address this issue by using smart thermostats to optimize their systems using a smart hub, which adjusts temperature based on a person’s schedule and behavioral patterns.  

4. Smart Building Energy Management Systems

Smart technology for commercial building management is becoming highly beneficial because it allows owners to monitor energy and assets from a single device. 

Using these systems helps limit costs and risks while maximizing performance and safety across your operations. Furthermore, smart energy management improves energy efficiency along with the comfort and productivity of commercial building occupants. 

5. Use Recycled Materials

For commercial structures, using recycled materials saves on costs for new construction. As a result, this extends the life of each item. Common reused materials include reclaimed wood, brick, plastics, and glass. 

6. Water Conservation

Since the water used in office buildings accounts for 9% of total water usage in commercial and institutional facilities, measures have been taken to conserve. One way to conserve water is to install WaterSense shower heads, toilets, and urinals where needed. 

For instance, these alternative faucets use about 1.5 gallons per minute from the standard 2.2 gallons, which reduces that fixture by roughly 30% during its lifecycle. 

7. Waste Reduction

Waste reduction is a multifaceted approach that includes increasing the amount of recycling for each facility and tracking the amount of waste for each commercial property. You can reduce the waste by monitoring it. Therefore, builders can introduce alternative measures to prevent excess waste. 

Commercial Inspection Services in Tampa, Florida

Divinity Inspection Services specializes in commercial inspections to ensure that your properties are built and maintained sustainably. The technicians at Divinity are highly trained to provide detailed information to address any of your questions or concerns.

Connect with an expert, call us or schedule an inspection today!

Q and A Why do I need Commercial Inspection Services scaled

Why do I need Commercial Inspection Services?

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Most inspection services in Florida do not offer commercial inspections because it’s not a straightforward task. Commercial inspection services differ extensively from the much more common home inspection. 

Unfortunately, even inspection services that perform commercial inspection services approach them like a more complicated residential inspection. Even though commercial inspections may hold some similarities to a home inspection, the purpose is financial profitability.

Q and A - Why do I need Commercial Inspection Services

The Investigative Process of a Commercial Inspection 

To confirm the condition of the property in question, inspectors evaluate the components of the interior and exterior, including the:

  • Parking lot
  • Landscaping
  • Structure
  • Foundation
  • Walls
  • Roof
  • Doors & Windows
  • HVAC
  • Plumbing
  • Electric

Some commercial inspection services rely on contractors specialized in roofing, construction, or building codes to guide them, but at Divinity Inspection Service, our inspectors are also construction contractors who have a thorough education in these fields. 

However, there is so much more to what a commercial inspector does for their client. The entire history of the building needs to be investigated as well. The inspector must carefully read through many documents such as:

  • Building plans
  • Floor plans
  • Permits
  • Citations
  • Records
  • Studies
  • Surveys
  • Appraisals

Once we sort through all the evidence and data, we use the information to assess the building’s current state. For instance, if there are construction aspects that were not completed with a permit, the inspector will notify you.

Like a detective, the inspector deduces if the property matches the documents provided. Once we confirm this, the inspector moves from the physical aspect of the inspection to a business perspective. 

This part of the commercial inspection process is known as “due diligence,” and it is what starkly separates residential inspectors from those who specialize in commercial properties .

Due diligence requires a high level of expertise provided by the inspector. How much due diligence can be asserted will depend on the age, location, and condition of the property.

What Does a Commercial Inspection Service Do For You?

As commercial inspectors, we help investors to gain authority at the negotiation table with the power of knowledge and documentation. In order to do that, a commercial inspector needs to understand how to convey this information in their final property condition report (PCR) for their client. 

The team at Divinity Inspection Service considers your needs as a commercial property owner and recognizes that it is both a company’s expense and asset that generates income. Having a firm grasp on exactly how much money the property will cost you will help you determine how much money you will make from it.

The report you receive from us will include a meticulous document that outlines the entire property and all of its components, from the roof to the foundation. It will also explain important facts like necessary repairs, construction mistakes, and projects completed without a permit. 

This information is crucial for investors to make profitable decisions and get the most out of them. Without a property condition report, an investor has no foresight or negotiating power. 

Divinity Commercial Inspection Services in Tampa Bay, Florida

Divinity Inspection Service has a complete team of inspectors who can provide you with a wide array of inspections, including both commercial and residential inspections. Our team of licensed contractors is certified by InterNACHI to offer you the best possible report for your unique situation.

We pride ourselves on your full satisfaction. When you need an ally to assist you through huge financial investments, you want an inspector you can trust to look out for your best interests. At Divinity Inspection Service, we use our expertise to shed light on the secrets hidden within every property we inspect so they don’t surprise you.

If you have questions about our commercial inspection services, please contact us!

Q and A What is a commercial inspection scaled

What is a Commercial Inspection?

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A commercial building is any building that uses at least half of its space for commercial business. Any structure that a business works directly or indirectly from is a commercial property. That list includes:

  • Retail storesQ and A - What is a commercial inspection
  • Factories
  • Offices
  • Restaurants

But vehicle mechanic shops, living spaces like hotels, and places of entertainment such as art galleries will also fall under this category.

Commercial buildings have a wider variety of building materials and components than your average home. They typically make these properties from steel and concrete, cinder blocks, and brick.

If the building is a factory that holds heavy equipment, the dangers of unseen risks can lead to deadly accidents. Doors and other components must also be up to code for the sake of safety.

Can a Home Inspector Perform a Commercial Inspection?

No! A home inspector is not automatically qualified to inspect a commercial property. They are entirely different and require separate training and licensing.

An inspector can become qualified to inspect both homes and commercial properties separately and continue to build onto their licensing for various specialty fields. But someone that is only qualified to inspect homes is underqualified to inspect a place of business.

A commercial home inspector has undergone specialized education that teaches them exactly what to look for.

At Divinity Inspection Service, we have inspectors who are also contractors. They don’t just have knowledge and certification, but also a hands-on understanding of the components of a commercial property. 

Divinity Inspectors know what it takes to construct a commercial property from the ground up. This gives them a significant advantage as your commercial property inspector because their comprehension of every facet of that structure is exceptional.

Parking Lot

A parking lot is the first part of your business that your customers will experience. If they are disabled and your parking lot isn’t 188 Disabilities Act approved, they won’t be able to park closely and access your building properly. You need to have accessible parking.

An inspector will also evaluate the integrity of your concrete, lighting, and overall condition of the driveway and parking area.

Exterior

Once we identify the building material, the inspector will check for issues like settling, foundation cracks, and water drainage problems.

They will also inspect the outside of the windows. Are they fixed or operable? Is the insulation sufficient or are there signs of damage or deterioration that could lead to water leaking?

We examine the doors to make sure they work correctly. Handicap-friendly qualities are also checked and noted.

Unlike homes, businesses have big air handlers that require careful inspection too. Gas lines, grease pits, and all other external equipment will also be scrutinized.

Roof

A roof may seem simple, but it’s a complex system that requires careful evaluation, especially in Florida. Severe storms will tear apart an inadequate roof.

The roofing materials must be installed correctly and in accordance with the building code. For instance, if gutters are not well secured, they could fall on people below. Shingles that are not nailed down properly become a safety hazard as well. The last thing you want is an injured employee or customer and a lawsuit.

The attic space will offer even more details about the roof, and how well it is performing.

Interior

The structure of a commercial building is crucial. Because they house large numbers of people and heavy furniture and appliances, inspectors must evaluate how the building is held up and together. Any damage to the building materials could compromise its safety. 

Water damage is a tremendous threat to commercial properties. It’s extremely common to find peeling paint, stains, and other telltale signs on and around: 

  • Walls
  • Ceilings
  • Floors
  • Windows
  • Doors

These clues offer us valuable information about the condition of the structure and where water is getting inside.

We also inspect public bathrooms for accessibility for the disabled.

Commercial Inspections in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Brooksville

A commercial property is an enormous investment. And hiring the right commercial inspector can mean the difference between earning more or losing money.

If you are looking for commercial inspectors that you can count on to spot every detail and offer you a comprehensive report, contact the professionals at Divinity Inspection Service.

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Keeping Your Home Safe For The Holidays

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It’s the holiday season and shopping is in the air! Unfortunately, so are break-ins. Keeping your home safe for the holidays is a top priority. Many neighborhoods have already reported break-ins and attempted thefts as people fill their home with presents. There are a few things you can do to take precaution and discourage thieves from breaking into your home.

Keep your security lights on

With your Christmas lights up you may forgot to turn on your security lights. But when the timer goes off during the night and turns off your Christmas lights the area becomes very dark. Lights are a direct determent for thieves so make sure to turn them on.

Shopping bags go in the trunk

When you are shopping at the mall and decide to drop off some bags to the car, make sure you put them in the trunk. Scouts hang out in parking lots at malls and watch what people do with their shopping bags. Putting your gift in the backseat will be very attractive to someone staking out cars to break into. The backseat is much easier to access and get away so put them in the trunk.

Lock up your home securely

You may be thinking this one is really obvious. However, many people who feel secure in their home will leave doors and windows open or unlocked throughout the day. Some maybe even at night. During a season that theft is at its peak, it’s even more important to always keep your home secure. Even if you are home.

We hope everyone stays safe and has a wonderful holiday season. Don’t forget to put down the phone and other technology, and be present with the ones you love. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

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Commercial Property Inspection Checklist

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Are you ready to have your commercial building inspected? We offer commercial property inspections that will cover any and every area of your property and building. In this article, we will review what you can expect at your commercial property inspection.

Checklist Items

A comprehensive inspection can help you identify current or future concerns about your property and building. Since we are licensed and certified in all areas, you will not need to hire multiple inspectors. Instead, we will cover everything. You can find a full checklist of what we will inspect right here.

A Baseline Property Inspection

At the very least you should have a baseline inspection of your commercial property. A baseline inspection consists of a walk-through survey, document review, and interviews to determine the property’s condition. This information will help owners and buyers better understand operation and maintenance required for the commercial property. This is especially important to provide confidence to prospective investors.

Consultations

Unfortunately, we could run into a multi-faceted or complex problem. For these situations, we offer consultations to guide you in the best route to fix the problem. We have built strong relationships with various specialists so we can make sure your specific concern is fixed by a trusted specialist.

Now that you know what to expect at a commercial property inspection you can rest easy. You can schedule your inspection anytime directly on our website here, or give us a call.