A chief building official is typically employed by a municipality and is in charge of enforcing all applicable building codes for structures within that municipality. His responsibilities usually include ensuring that residential, commercial, and industrial structures are safe to use and in compliance with the law. These officials are also in charge of reviewing all site and construction plans that are submitted to the municipality to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws. When it comes to all construction and development issues, the chief building official usually has the authority to interpret the building code and serves as the key official for the local or regional government.
A chief building official is typically an unelected position in most municipalities at all levels. They oversee the department of building code enforcement and coordinate the efforts of a team of building inspectors. When it comes to building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work, the chief building official usually follows a set of codes, or laws. The International Code Council is the most widely used set of codes in the United States. They have been adopted at the state and municipal levels in 50 states.
Building inspections are usually concerned with the structural integrity and overall safety of structures. The inspection will frequently include fire-suppression systems, smoke alarms, and other safety systems. Electrical inspections, such as the wiring for heating and air-conditioning systems and other appliances, are also overseen by the chief building official. Mechanical inspections, such as reviewing commercial kitchens and large-scale heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, are frequently part of the job.
Chief building officials are usually authorized to issue citations as well. These citations can be either criminal or civil in nature. They usually come with a fine and a deadline for completing the work required to bring the structure up to code.
Aside from coordinating a routine inspection schedule, the chief building official serves as the primary point of contact for a governing body’s relationship with architects, builders, developers, and contractors who are working on or planning to build a structure. Each set of plans for new construction, as well as plans submitted for significant renovation, is usually inspected by the official. He has the authority to approve or deny plans, as well as make recommendations to bring them up to code.
In addition to overseeing the building code enforcement department and working with upper-level government management as well as elected officials, chief building officials frequently have a slew of administrative responsibilities. The chief building official regularly attends public meetings to explain and interpret the building code in order to assist elected officials in making decisions.