One of the most complex and time-consuming aspects of constructing, adding to, and maintaining commercial buildings is acquiring the necessary permits and making sure everything is up-to-code. While they may be onerous to follow, building codes are there for good reason. They’re designed to protect the buildings themselves, along with the people and property inside them.
Low Voltage NW specializes in installing, monitoring, and maintaining everything from fire alarms and access control systems, to video and audio surveillance and security setups for commercial buildings. We stay up-to-date and in-the-know about local building codes and regulations so you can rest assured your systems are in full compliance.
Here are 4 key reasons you always want to make sure your commercial building is up-to-code:
You could be sued
Ensuring that your commercial building is up-to-code is important not only to the health and safety of those inside the building, but also to protect your business and monetary interests. If your building is not up-to-code and someone suffers an injury, you could easily be found liable. This is a concern for every type of commercial building, but it is especially relevant to businesses that serve vulnerable populations such as schools, senior living homes, and healthcare facilities.
In cases of personal damage, reviewing building codes is one of the most effective ways for attorneys to establish negligence on the part of the builder or business owner, even if they weren’t directly responsible. Therefore, ensuring that every aspect of your building is up-to-code is essential to avoiding legal cases.
You might not be able to get insurance
Commercial property insurance is one of the best ways to protect your business and assets in cases of damage or theft. However, obtaining insurance can be a complicated process and it’s not uncommon to be denied if your building fails to meet safety standards.
For example, even factors such as building materials and the number of rooms will impact your building’s fire rating and can result in your claim being denied. Therefore, not meeting code requirements by failing to install a proper fire alarm system will greatly diminish your chance of acquiring insurance.
You may have trouble selling
Failing to acquire proper permits and comply with building standards won’t only impact you in the short-term; it can also significantly reduce the value of your property. Very few prospective buyers will pay full price for a building that fails to meet these standards, and you could be looking at having to reduce your price or cover the cost of potentially expensive renovations.
Whether you’re looking to sell now or down the line, fixing existing problems and establishing proper safety measures now will help you avoid unnecessary costs or complications in the selling process.
You could be forced to rebuild/redo
It’s much easier to have your systems installed properly and in accordance with the building code in the first place than to have to go back and correct a violation and potentially face lawsuits or fines after the fact. Not only can tearing out your existing system and redoing it be extremely costly and time consuming, but it could also cause disruptions in your building’s operations.
Depending on your industry, that could be a serious problem. If you’re running a hospital or nursing home, for example, finding out your fire-alarm system isn’t up-to-code and needs to be replaced could put your building and its occupants at risk.
Low Voltage NW: A Contractor You Can Count On
At Low Voltage NW, we know how to ensure that your commercial building is safe, secure, and up-to-code. With over 40 years of combined experience, we’ve worked closely and effectively with property owners to protect public and building safety at every level. We’re here to offer our expertise and experience in every aspect of low-voltage systems, including installation, replacement, maintenance and emergency repairs, recurring inspections, and 24/7 monitoring.
Our solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. With one-on-one, onsite consultation, we’re dedicated to providing solutions that address your individual needs and requirements.
Call us at (971) 273-7117 or contact us online today to get started!
