Offer Accessibility Inspection Services for existing commercial buildings.

http://www.nachi.org/accessibility.htm

Check out this NCR form we are working on: http://www.nachi.org/documents/accessibility.pdf

Nick, this looks great, but I have heard we should not do ADA inspections unless we are certified ICC, ADA code compliant inspectors.

What’s your thoughts?

Nick, are there any other forms other than the ADA that I should stick in the NACHI version of HIP that I’m working on? I searched the site but couldn’t find any.

I’m sure others will take exception to this but Texas requires training, an exam and a license to perform such inspections (see http://www.license.state.tx.us/ab/ab.htm ). I think someone needs to do some homework before blindly encouraging HI’s to rush out and provide this service. Definitely check with your state prior to offering accessibility inspections.

Thanks, we in NH have no licensing and are unregulated and commercial inspections are a trade that is even more unregulated, I like the idea that Nick is helping us more forward to diversify and this check list is a good start.

I completed ITA commercial inspection course in 2005 and ADA wad a big part of it, with that said it can also be deferred to a code compliance inspector if need be.

I think one of the biggest issues in NH is when residential property undergoes a change of use and is converted into commercial property, this is where some HI get into trouble.

I agree! In addition you must also be aware of how the accessibility requirements are being funded. For instance one example is if HUD/FHA/VA backed a loan then the individual will be required to be certified by HUD.

There are many obstacles and pitfalls to just rush out and start advertising and performing these inspections. I think that is a good project for NACHI National Management to research and add to their information along with http://www.nachi.org/documents/accessibility.pdf .

There are no state, provincial or federal licensing of inspectors who offer accessibility surveys, whatsoever.

This is an important service that commercial property buyers want. Offer it.

Excellent! I shall notify the Texas Dept of Licensing and Regulation that their services are no longer needed :mrgreen: :
accessibility.JPG

Michael, check your link. It is not to a regulation that prevents inspectors from offering accessibility surveys. Nor is it a link to a regulation that requires inspectors offering such services to be licensed.

Nick, I believe it is. I’ve talked to a “Registered Accessibility Specialist” and he confirms my take on this. He says he thinks there are also 4-6 other states that require ‘architectural barrier’ or ADA or ‘accessibility’ inspections to be done only by state licensed inspectors. I don’t see what you are seeing in the link that would lead me to think otherwise but I’m sure open to your interpretation.

Heresay. Put up a link to the regulation that requires a license if it is true.

http://www.license.state.tx.us/ab/ablaw.htm#469105 Section 469.105.b.3 just like I showed in post #9. That’s not hearsay, that’s law.
Further evidence:*

Michael, you are incorrect.

409.105.b.3 is a plan submission requirement placed on building owners (not inspectors) who are subitting a new construction or substantial renovation plan for approval.

It is not a licensing requirement for inspectors offering accessibility surveys to buyers of commercial properties.

It requires those submitting plans to agree within their plan submission to have the new construction work they are doing inspected after completion. See Subchapter C. Review and Approval Required for Certain Plans and Specifications. Sec. 469.101 Submission for Review and Approval Required.

469.105.b.3

In any document, be it this regulation or the U.S. Constitution, you simply can’t read one line out of context. Go to

, then look up at the first line of the first paragraph it is under and you will note that the term inspector is regarding Section 469.101. The first sentence of the paragraph even says “Section 469.101”

Sec. 469.101. Submission for Review and Approval Required.

*All plans and specifications for the construction of or for the substantial renovation or modification of a building or facility must be submitted to the department for review and approval if: *

*(1) the building or facility is subject to this chapter; and *
*(2) the estimated construction cost is at least $50,000. *

469.105.b.3 is talking about inspectors for new construction of commercial buildings in a plan submission and approval process. It is similar to the finish plumbing inspection required on new construction (which you can’t do either).

The word “inspector” is also used by governments to refer to bridge inspectors, health inspectors, car and truck inspectors, etc.

This regulation you linked to has nothing to do with inspectors offering accessibility survey services to buyers of commercial properties.

Well, I completely disagree with your interpretation but that’s OK. Let’s just leave it at that. This will be another long-winded disagreement just like the “Walk Inspections” was a while back and I have inspections to go do so charge on.

You do us all a service. Here, I’ll let you peak inside my brain…

I view stuff like www.nachi.org/accessibility.htm as yet another new weapon that we developed and are handing to our members.

I view you (Michael) and this message board as our Aberdeen Proving Ground where you test the weapon and try to catch any flaws before it misfires on one of our members in combat.

Both of us are important to our member’s victory.

OK, fair enough. While I haven’t had the time to go thru the regulations in detail that I’ve been referencing I still do believe that they pertain to all ADA and accessibility inspections here. I may very well be wrong and I will try to find time to drill down on them to see if they only pertain to new construction plan reviews or something else. Believe me, I want this to work here as much as anyone. I have even gone to the trouble of translating the NACHI checklist into my commercial inspection s/w template and am ready to start offering this additional service if I can. The worst case scenario is that I have to take a $250, 3-day course, take an open book test, pay a nominal fee for a license and be state certified as a “Registered Accessibility Specialist”. It’s really not much more complicated than that. I know that there are certain California and Missouri factions that advocate that even if there are laws against something then if they haven’t been tested in court then they hold little sway. I don’t subscribe to that notion and want to abide by my state’s rules.

I’ll have the state of Texas issue us a letter explaining that the reg you are reading has to do with new construction plan submittal.

ADA doesn’t even require existing buildings to comply with ADA (unless they are being remodeling or unless the owner deems the modification “readily achievable”).

Even ASTM (a private, for-profit company) has their own mini, InterNACHI-style tiers written into their commercial scope of work outlines (which they incorrectly call Commercial Standards of Practice).

Accessibility inspections for buyers of commercial properties are completely unregulated.