With social distancing and wearing protective garments as some of the main measures on job sites against the COVID-19, building officials are enhancing protection on construction sites. Building inspectors are using video tools and are turning to digitization to enable remote inspection of construction sites. As the industry of construction is facing challenges amidst the Coronavirus pandemics, building officials are faced with a whole new set of challenges as well.
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Technology Adoption and the Lack of Tech in Building Inspection
As the COVID-19 pandemics continues, construction sites are being closed if deemed non-essential and the industry of construction is facing new challenges along the way. One of those challenges is the low level of tech adoption reflecting on productivity, safety and overall collaboration of teams. Building officials who need to inspect construction sites are also struggling with challenges related to tech adoption. Some building inspectors are sharing that their older colleagues are having issues with adopting urgent digitization as the officials are using video tools for inspecting construction sites. According to building officials and the latest stats, 30% of contractors don’t have the capability for electronic permitting. Up to 40% of contractors have stated that they do not have the capability for electronic plan review, which pulls new challenges. In the meantime, 65% of building inspectors have transitioned to remote work and are using video inspections.
Inspection is Conducted on Minor and Basic Construction Projects
To respect an important preventive measure that is social distancing, the majority of inspection departments are not operating in-person and on occupied spaces. Some inspections are being conducted traditionally and in person, while the majority of inspectors are working remotely. However, both traditional and remote inspections are performed only on basic and minor construction projects. Keeping the industry of construction running as normally as possible, while preventing the spreading of pandemics is a priority.
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