Fire inspections large-scale buildings

Admission

Construction law is a set of regulations regulating issues related to the construction, renovation and use of buildings. One of the key aspects of these regulations is care for the safety of people using these facilities and environmental protection. That is why this law imposes on the owner or manager of a building the obligation to carry out regular technical inspections.

These inspections are aimed at verifying the technical condition of the building, its functionality and safety of use. For most buildings, such as single-family homes, apartments or offices, inspections should be carried out annually. In addition, every five years, the building should undergo a more detailed inspection to assess its overall condition and possible renovation needs.

However, large-scale facilities, such as shopping centres, production halls or warehouses, due to their size and specificity, are subject to stricter controls. In addition to the standard inspection every five years, they carry out additional periodic inspections every six months. This is related to the greater risk posed by such facilities – both for the people staying in them and for the environment.

Regular inspections of buildings are not only an obligation, but also a benefit for the owners. Thanks to them, it is possible to detect possible defects or damage in time and prevent more serious failures or accidents. In addition, care for the technical condition of the building has a positive effect on its market value and comfort of use.

Who to commission a fire inspection? ?

Technical inspections of buildings and their installations are a key element of caring for the safety and functionality of facilities. Due to their specificity and potential risk, these inspections must be carried out by persons with appropriate qualifications and authorizations.

The Construction Law Act is the main document regulating issues related to construction in Poland. According to its provisions, a technical inspection can only be carried out by a specialist with the appropriate construction qualifications. These qualifications are granted after meeting certain requirements, such as completing the relevant studies, gaining experience in a particular field, and passing a state examination.

For example, when it comes to electrical installations, their inspection requires specialist knowledge and experience. Therefore, the person conducting the review must be qualified to supervise power grids. This ensures that the inspection is carried out in accordance with the applicable norms and standards, and any irregularities are quickly detected.

The same is true for chimney flues. Their control is extremely important, because the safety of building users depends on their technical condition. Therefore, the inspection of these elements can only be carried out by a specialist with the professional title of master in the chimney sweep craft. Such a person has not only the appropriate theoretical knowledge, but also practical experience in the field of chimney inspection and maintenance.

Appropriate qualifications and authorizations are a guarantee of professionalism and reliability of the inspections carried out. Thanks to this, building owners and users can be sure that their facilities are safe and meet all applicable standards.

Semi-annual inspections by 31 May and 30 November

Technical inspection of buildings is an essential element of caring for their safety and functionality. In the case of large-scale facilities, due to their specificity and potential risk, the construction law imposes special obligations on owners and managers.

At least once every six months, more precisely by 31 May and 30 November, a technical inspection must be carried out. The main purpose of such an inspection is to assess the technical condition of building elements exposed to external factors, such as precipitation, wind, snow on the roof or changing temperatures. In particular, it is about those parts of the facility that are exposed to wear, corrosion or mechanical damage.

During the inspection, special attention is paid to installations and equipment for environmental protection. It is crucial to ensure that the building does not have a negative impact on the environment, does not pollute the air, water or soil. Gas installations and chimney flues are also inspected – both those used to extract smoke and fumes, as well as those ensuring proper ventilation of the building.

Facilities that are subject to semi-annual inspections are primarily those with a large area. Specifically, it is about buildings with a built-up area exceeding 2000 m² and buildings with a roof area exceeding 1000 m².

After conducting the inspection, the inspector is obliged to inform the relevant authority about its results. In this way, it is ensured that any irregularities will be quickly detected and removed, and the building will be safe for its users and surroundings. Regular inspections are therefore not only an obligation, but also a guarantee of safety and environmental responsibility of facility owners and managers.

Elements tested during the inspection

In autumn, when winter cooling and increased rainfall are approaching, it is crucial to focus on those elements of the building that are exposed to harmful weather conditions.

Our company offers high-quality fire protection solutions. We encourage you to contact us: Tel/fax.: +48 (32) 236 30 05 or learn more about the details of our smoke vents: https://www.gulajski.pl/klapy-dymowe/

1. External layers of external partitions – this is the first line of defense of the building against external factors. Checking their condition allows for early detection of possible damage or leaks that can lead to leaks or heat losses.
2. Wall elements – pillars, cornices, balustrades, loggias and balconies are exposed to wind, rain or snow. Their regular inspection allows you to detect cracks, corrosion or other damage.
3. Devices attached to walls – such as lamps, air conditioners or antennas – must be firmly attached so that they do not pose a threat in the event of strong winds or rainfall.
4. Elements of the building’s drainage and flashings – gutters, drains and other water drainage elements must be functional to prevent flooding of the building or damage to the foundations.
5. Roofing and elements attached to the roof – the roof is a key element in the protection of a building. Its inspection allows you to detect any leaks or damage. It is necessary to carefully inspect elements such as skylights, roof hatches, smoke vents.
6. Central heating and hot water installations – their proper operation is crucial for the comfort of residents, as well as safety (e.g. avoiding gas leaks or overheating).
7. Fire protection devices – smoke detectors, smoke windows, smoke dampers, fire extinguishers or hydrants must be operational to ensure quick and effective intervention in the event of a fire. Remember to check the tightness of fire tanks. elements of fire protection systems.
8. Sewage system – its inspection allows you to detect possible blockages or leaks that can lead to flooding of the building or environmental pollution.
9. Passages of installation connections through the walls of the building must be tight to prevent heat loss and the ingress of moisture or pests into the building.

Accurate assessment of technical condition every 5 years

Inspections carried out every 5 years in large-scale facilities have a much wider scope than those carried out every six months. They are aimed not only at ensuring the safety of the building’s users, but also at assessing its aesthetics and functionality.

During five-year inspections, special attention is paid to the electrical and lightning protection systems. These elements are crucial for the safety of both the people in the building and the structure itself. In the event of a failure, they can lead to serious accidents such as fires or electric shocks.

Specialists also carefully analyze the condition of external walls, assessing their strength, insulation and aesthetics. The fixings of the devices on the walls and roof are checked to ensure that they are properly protected against accidents or weather conditions. Drainage elements that ensure proper drainage of water from the roof and roofing that protects the building against rainfall and UV radiation are also tested.

Another important aspect of the inspection is the central heating and hot water installations. Their proper operation is crucial for the comfort of users and the safety of the building. Fire-fighting devices are also checked, which are designed to prevent and effectively fight possible fires. Elements of the sewage system draining sewage and the passage of installation connections through the walls of the building are also subjected to a thorough analysis.

Carrying out a five-year inspection in a given half-year exempts the owner or manager from the obligation to carry out a semi-annual inspection in the same period. However, the next semi-annual audit on the next date (e.g. by 30 November) must be carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations. Thanks to this control system, large-scale facilities are under constant supervision, which guarantees their safety and functionality.

Post-inspection documentation

Documentation related to a building plays a key role in the process of managing and maintaining the property. It provides a full picture of the history of the building, its technical condition and all maintenance, repair and inspection works carried out. This makes it possible to effectively plan future activities and respond to possible irregularities.

The building book is the central element of this documentation. It gathers all information about the building, from the moment of its construction to the current activities related to its operation. It is worth taking a close look at its contents:

1. Assessments and expert opinions of the technical condition – these are documents prepared by specialists that describe the current condition of the building, indicate possible defects, recommend necessary renovation or maintenance works.
2. Reports from the inspection of the building – these are official records of technical inspections that confirm that the building meets all applicable standards and regulations.
3. Technical documentation of construction – contains information on the materials, technologies and construction methods used. It may be necessary when planning renovations or expansion of the facility.
4. Design plans – is a graphic representation of a building, which shows its layout, functions of individual rooms and the arrangement of installations.
5. As-built documentation – it is a set of documents confirming the correctness of construction, renovation or maintenance works. It contains, among m.in, acceptance protocols, guarantees for the materials used or confirmations of contractors’ qualifications.

The owner or manager of the building is obliged to take care of the validity and completeness of the building logbook. In the event of an inspection by the relevant authorities, it must be made available immediately. Thanks to this, it is possible to quickly confirm that the building is maintained in an appropriate technical condition and does not pose a threat to its users or surroundings.

Article Summary

The construction law in Poland imposes on the owners and managers of buildings the obligation of regular technical inspections aimed at ensuring the safety of users and environmental protection. These inspections vary depending on the type of facility – standard buildings require inspections every year, while large-scale facilities are subject to additional inspections every six months.

Technical inspections must be carried out by specialists with appropriate qualifications, which are granted after meeting certain requirements. The owner or manager of the building is obliged to keep a building book, which collects documentation related to the building, including assessments, inspection reports, technical documentation and design plans. Regular inspections and proper documentation are the key to maintaining a building in good technical condition, which translates into the safety of its users and the market value of the property.

Autor: Tomasz Matuszek; Dział Marketingu - Firma Gulajski