Stages of Large Building Inspection
Large buildings under Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code include:
- Commercial buildings
- Industrial buildings
- Institutional buildings
- Assembly buildings
- Large residential buildings
These projects are subject to field review by professionals and checked by Richmond Hill building inspectors during construction. All buildings must pass a final inspection before they can be occupied.
Major construction projects
Major construction projects often start with underground site service, such as storm and sanitary sewers and domestic water and fire services. A Richmond Hill plumbing inspector inspects this work before any backfilling can be done.
The rest of the plumbing system must also be inspected once it is complete before it can be covered. Some of the system may also be tested. This includes:
- The building drain, waste and venting system
- The drinking water system
- The storm drainage system
Ask a plumbing inspector about what is needed to make sure you are ready to pass inspection. A final inspection is needed once this work is completed.
Large Buildings construction
A start-up inspection is done by Richmond Hill's Building Inspection Division for Large Buildings construction projects. You can arrange for this inspection once after you obtain a building permit, the site office is in operation and the project is scheduled to begin.
The assigned building inspector will review the building permit documents with the construction supervisor as part of the start-up inspection. They will also let the supervisor know the stages and inspections needed depending on the size of the project.
Stages of inspection
You are responsible for notifying us when you reach each stage of the process.
Required inspection stages for Large Buildings projects include:
| Footings |
| The footings inspection requires all digging to be completed. The building footings and formwork for the footings must also be completed. The building inspector must have access to the bottom of the excavation site. Concrete may not be poured until the inspector passes this stage of the inspection process. |
| Privately-owned pipelines |
| The sanitary sewer, storm sewer and water service lines connected to the publically-owned lines must be completed and connected to the interior of the building before backfilling. The inspector must also sign the drain card at this stage, after the inspection is complete. |
| Foundation |
| The foundation is inspected at this stage. The damp proofing, weeping title and drainage layer must be installed to be ready for inspection. A foundation survey is completed after backfilling. The survey is submitted to the Building Services Division for review. |
| Under slab drains |
| All underground drains must be complete and exposed for inspection at this stage. The inspector must have access to view the drain layout. The reviewed drain card must also be available for the inspector during this inspection. |
| Basic (rough-in) plumbing |
| All interior supply, vent and waste piping above the basement floor must be completed at this stage. The piping needs to be visible for the inspector. This inspection stage must be passed before any other work can continue. |
| Structural Framing |
| All basic plumbing, wiring, basic mechanical and other services must be completed at this stage. The exterior shell must also be completed before arranging a framing inspection. A separate inspection is done for each storey in a multi-storey building. |
| Basic (rough-in) mechanical |
| All mechanical duct work above the basement floor must be visible for inspection at this stage. |
| Solid fuel burning appliance |
| Solid fuel burning appliances, such as wood stoves and fireplaces, must be installed and the chimney needs to be completed before this inspection can be done. |
| Insulation and vapour air barrier |
| Thermal insulation and vapour air barriers must be completed at this stage. This inspection must be completed before any interior finish can be installed. All framing issues must be fixed at this point to pass this inspection. |
| Fire separations |
| Separate fire separation and fire stopping inspections are performed for each storey in a multi-storey building. You may be required to complete the Building Department's Fire Stopping Information form prior to conducting the fire stopping inspections. Contact your building inspector for the timing of this inspection and to receive a copy of the Fire Stopping Information form, if needed. |
| Fire protection systems |
| Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services inspect the stand pipe, sprinkler, fire alarms and emergency lighting systems at this stage. Contact the Fire Prevention Division at 905-883-5444 to request an inspection. You can also fax your request to 905-883-0866. |
| Final plumbing |
| All plumbing fixtures, connections and piping at the basement level must be completed for this inspection. The plumbing system needs to be operational to pass this inspection stage. |
| Final interior (Occupancy/Partial Occupancy) |
| Your project must be ready to move into at this stage. You must obtain an occupancy certificate before your new building can be occupied. A water meter must be installed by Richmond Hill to get an occupancy certificate.
A Certificate of Occupancy will not be issued when there are issues to be fixed or orders to be completed. All safety items in Division C Subsection 1.3.3. of the Ontario Building Code must also be completed and operating at this stage. Please review the Ontario Building Code Requirements for occupancy of large buildings prior to requesting an inspection. For assistance with the procedure for applying for partial occupancy inspections, here is our Partial Occupancy Applicant Package. |
| Final exterior |
| To pass this stage of the inspection process all exterior parts, final grading and sodding of your project must be completed. |
Email us or call 905-771-8810 for more information.