The purpose of this page is to define best practices and to establish a reasonable approach for the per-formance of inspection when inspecting a commercial property. Hopefully, these com-mercial resources we provide will help answer any questions you have about the commercial inspection process. A commercial property is defined as the building s t r u c t u r e s a n d improvements located on a parcel of commercial real estate. These may include structures such as buildings with residential units operated for profit, mixed-use buildings, strip malls, motels, factories, storage facilities, restaurants and office buildings. The inspection is defined as the process of an inspector collecting information through visual observation during a walk-through survey of the subject property, conducting research about the property, and then generating a meaningful report about the condition o f the property based on the observations made and research conducted by the inspector. A commercial inspection requires the inspector to make observations, conduct research, and report findings. The Inspector’s research involves reviewing readily available documents, such as previous inspection reports, building permits, code violation notices and environmental studies as provided by the property owner or manager. This research may also include interviews with readily available personnel, such as building managers, tenants and owners. PLEASE READ BEFORE SCHEDULING A COMMERCIAL INSPECTION… The inspector should review all documents provided by the client and owner. The inspector will also make an inquiry and review of any other documents that can be reasonably procured on-site or from the building owner or manager, such as Certificates of Occupancy, building code violation notices, repair invoices, and warranties. The inspector is not required to uncover and review information that is not provided or cannot be reasonably ascertained or acquired on-site. Copies of documents that the inspector believes may be of interest to the client and copies of documents that support the inspector's opinions should be included in the inspection report. Examples   of   documents   the   inspector   may request for review: • Accessibility surveys • Appraisals • Building plans • Certificates of Occupancy • Citations • Deck age records, plans and construction permits • Deck and balcony maintenance, power- washing, painting, treating, repair and modification history • Emergency evacuation plans • Environmental studies • Evacuation drill records • Fire-detection test & maintenance records • Fire door inspection reports • Fire-prevention plans • Fire extinguisher service records • Fire records • Flame-resistant certificates • Floodplain map • Floor plans • Kitchen grease-cleaning records • Kitchen post-fire inspections • Maintenance records • Manufacturers' installation instructions • Notices • Permits • Power-washing records • Previous inspection reports • Proposals • Rent records • Repair estimates/invoices • Safety inspection records • Seller disclosures • Sprinkler head replacement records • Utility bills • Warranties