Once permits are issued and licences are granted, it's only the beginning of a municipality’s responsibility to maintain building safety and fire prevention efforts.
There’s a growing need in communities of all sizes for recurring inspections and fire safety inspections that ensure ongoing safety and code compliance and help protect citizens.
Software for recurring and fire safety inspections can help local governments stay on top of these critical tasks and find new ways to make the entire process more efficient and easier — both for citizens and stakeholders, as well as local departments and agencies.
The Risks of Falling Behind
Periodic or recurring inspections are essential ways of ensuring building and fire safety in communities across the country — and these ongoing compliance efforts are one of the most important things that local governments can do to protect their citizens.
Regular checks for fire safety features, such as sprinklers and alarm systems, can save lives and minimize damage in the event of a fire.
Compliance officers are also tasked with ensuring the habitability of rental properties and short-term rentals, as well as verifying that other features like decks, balconies, swimming pools, HVAC systems, and backflow devices are safe to use.
By checking these things regularly, compliance staff can help identify and correct any problems before they threaten the safety and health of citizens.
But it can be hard to keep up as more structures, houses, and businesses are built and renovated in the community.
Falling behind on this important work can lead to:
- Missed or delayed violations.
- Liability for accidents or by-law compliance issues.
- Loss of public trust.
Why Manual or Inefficient Tracking Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
The high administrative burden of maintaining spreadsheets, calendars, and outdated legacy software means communities can’t afford to rely on manual or inefficient systems — especially those with a slim staff trying to get everything done.
Without modern processes in place, municipalities might struggle with missed dates, duplicate work, difficult or labor-intensive reporting, and poor visibility into what’s happening locally.
That’s why many governments are realizing now is the time to modernize the way they work, including their choice of inspections software.
With Cloudpermit, government staff can rely on new methods of streamlining their operations. Things like inspection scheduling tools, a mobile inspection app that works online or offline, and automated update notifications for applicants and property owners make it easier than ever to stay on top of the job and improve service delivery.
A centralized property database and access to up-to-date GIS records means staff can get the information they need, whenever and wherever they need it.
For property owners and contractors, this online software can make community development and public works activity much more transparent and accessible, while departments benefit from easier collaboration with one another.
It’s Time for a Smarter Way to Stay Compliant
Many aspects of recurring inspections can be automated to simplify the process and speed up work, particularly in scheduling.
Automated updates and reminders can greatly reduce administrative work by streamlining scheduling and reducing the number of calls and office visits, giving employees more time back each day to focus on important tasks.
Fire departments and local officials can simplify fire safety inspections with access to real-time property information from the field or office and a mobile app that can be used to quickly complete their work — even offline.
Keeping up with the rising number of short-term rentals can be made easier with the right recurring inspections software that fosters collaboration among departments. By ensuring everyone can get accurate, real-time property information, permitting, inspections, licensing, and by-law enforcement decisions can all work together seamlessly for improved local oversight.
A better platform for fire safety and recurring inspections can benefit both staff and the public with fewer delays, clearer timelines, and safer communities — all without adding to the administrative burden of local departments or agencies.
How to Find the Right Recurring Inspections Software
Today’s governments need modern systems to manage these complex inspection schedules and crucial work. With the right software, they can keep up better than ever before.
Cloudpermit’s recurring and fire safety inspections software supports departments and agencies by making each step of the process faster and easier — and helps them better protect their citizens.
Book a demo with us today and let us show you how Cloudpermit can transform the way your community handles inspections.
