Inspections

Why must footings be inspected?

Footings are inspected to ensure that the bearing surface face will be able to withstand the loads of the foundation and building structure. Footings must resemble the building permit documents concerning the architectural layout.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a footing inspection.

• Undisturbed soil
• Minimum footing depth
• Form layout
• Footings
• Waterproofing
• Surrounding Precautions

Footing Inspections Checklists

CAD Footing Details

Why must foundations be inspected?

Foundations are inspected to ensure that the structural loads of the building will be safely transferred to the surrounding soil and resist lateral earth pressures. In addition, the control of moisture must be properly identified.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of foundations to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a foundation inspection.

• Foundation wall thickness
• Reduction in thickness
• Joist and beam support
• Finishing (below ground)
• Form ties and segregation
• Damp proofing material
• Finishing (above ground)
• Exterior concrete stairs
• Foundation wall drainage
• Placement of backfill
• Termite control
• Location of insulation
• Lateral support
• Anchorage of building frames

Foundation Inspections Checklists

CAD Backfill Details

Why must framing be inspected?

Structural members are inspected to ensure that the structural loads of the building are transferred to the house foundation.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of framing to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a framing inspection.

• Columns and Beams
• Anchorage of building frames
• Floor joists
• Fire separation, collapse and reduction
• Headers and trimmer joists
• Glue-laminated beams
• Support of walls and Wall studs
• Lintels and Windows
• Spans-joists, rafters and beams
• Intermediate support for rafters and joists
• Roof sheathing and Roof spaces-ventilation
• Wood roof trusses
• Fire stopping
• Fire separation between dwelling units
• Firewalls and Egress and travel limit
• Above-grade masonry and Stairs
• Flooring tile reinforcement

Framing Inspections Checklist

Why must drains and sewers be inspected?

Building sanitary/storm drains and sewers are inspected to ensure that they will operate properly and to ensure that cross connections are not created between the storm and sanitary drains or sewers. Inspections provide Grimsby residents with a healthy and safe living environment.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the drains and sewers to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a building drain & sewer inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Testing of drainage systems (water or air)
• Testing of water service pipe (water or air)
• Protection of piping (frost and spatial separation)
• Support of piping
• Traps
• Arrangement of drainage piping (colour coding of
storm and sanitary drain pipes)
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Arrangement and size of venting pipes (floor
drains)

Drains & Sewers Inspection Checklist

CAD Drains & Sewer Details

Why must rough-in plumbing be inspected?

The drainage, waste, venting and water distribution systems are inspected to ensure that they operate properly and provide the occupants with a healthy living environment and safe drinking water.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the rough-in plumbing to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a rough-in plumbing inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Testing of drainage and venting systems
• Testing of potable water systems
• Protection of piping
• Support of piping
• Traps
• Arrangement of drainage piping
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Arrangement and size of venting pipes
• Protection from contamination of water piping

Rough In Plumbing Inspections Checklist

CAD Plumbing Details

Why must the final plumbing be inspected?

The drainage, waste system, venting system, water distribution system, fixtures and appliances are inspected to ensure that they operate properly and provide the occupants with a healthy living environment and safe drinking water.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the plumbing to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a final plumbing inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Piping and Valves
• Traps
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Vent pipes
• Fixtures and Appliances
• Basement Rough-in Plumbing

Plumbing Final Inspections Checklist

CAD Plumbing Details

Why must air barriers be inspected?

The air barrier is inspected to confirm that the air barrier materials are installed to provide a system that will control the air infiltration and exfiltration through the building envelope, providing a continuous barrier to air leakage. The system must be sufficient to prevent excessive moisture condensation in the wall, ceiling and floor assemblies.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the air barriers to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for an air barrier inspection.

• Properties of the air barrier system
• Continuity of the air barrier system

Air Barrier Inspections Checklist

CAD Air Barrier Details

Why must the insulation be inspected?

The insulation is inspected to confirm that in general, sufficient insulation is installed to prevent condensation within the building envelope and more particularly that the energy conservation standards are complied with. To prevent the diffusion of water vapour through insulated assemblies.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the installation of insulation to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for an insulation inspection.

• Location of insulation
• Minimum thermal resistance
• Installation of insulation
• Vapour barriers

Insulation Inspections Checklist

Why must rough-in heating be inspected?

The roughed-in heating system is inspected to confirm that the system is sized and installed to meet the heating and ventilation requirements for a healthy living environment for the occupants.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the rough-in heating to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a rough-in heating inspection.

• Supply air system
• Return air system
• Exhaust systems
• Mechanical ventilation

Rough In Heating Inspections Checklist

What must there be a final heating inspection?

The completion of the heating system is inspected to confirm that the supply and return air systems, mechanical ventilation system and furnace are complete and operational. 

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the installation of the heating systems to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for a final heating inspection.

• Supply and return air systems
• Mechanical ventilation
• Finished basements, basement walkouts

Heating Final Inspections Checklist

Why must there be an occupancy inspection?

The interior and the exterior of the dwelling is inspected to ensure that the building is safe and suitable for occupancy. The occupancy inspection is necessary for the Occupancy Permit to be issued. Article 1.3.3.4. Division C, Part 1 of the Building Code makes occupancy of a dwelling illegal without an Occupancy Permit first being issued.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review various building components and systems to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set.

The list below entails the main items of review for an occupancy inspection.

• Stairs
• Handrails
• Guards
• Wall, ceiling and floor finishes
• Building envelope
• Firefighting access routes
• Doors
• Windows
• Fire protection-smoke alarms, carbon
monoxide detectors, fire separations
• Exits and access to exits
• Exhaust fume barriers for attached garages
• Electrical, heating and plumbing facilities
• Protection of foam plastics

Occupancy Inspections Checklist