Building Permits and Customer Safety
Permits are a necessary part of the building process, but do we really know why? Sometimes, because of the tedious task it takes to obtain a permit, we forget that permits are required to protect the employees and customers that will be spending their time in the stores. As retail chains roll out new buildings across the nation, the need for safety measurements increases.
Awhile back, a leading wireless carrier was looking to construct 150 new antenna sites across the state of Texas. In order to secure the proper permits, the retail chain had to convince planning committees in numerous local jurisdictions that the intended developments would not put the public’s safety at risk. This meant that the building’s architectural plan had to abide by certain zoning laws, health codes and building codes, and the permits that were required for each site were meant to help contractors live up to the city’s standards.
The overall point of permits, licenses and building codes is to ensure the welfare of the people that will inhabit them. States and local governments take the matter seriously if you do not secure the proper permits or licenses. For example, the County of Los Angeles Building Codes put into place a code enforcement program. If proper rules and regulations are not followed then they have the right to take administrative, criminal or civil action. The types of cases that this program strictly enforces are:
Buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or which constitute a hazard to health, safety, or public welfare.
Buildings or structures constructed, altered or demolished or grading performed without the required permits and approvals.
Work for which a permit was first obtained, but which has progressed beyond a point without obtaining the required inspections and approvals of the building official.
The program was put in place to make sure the public was protected. Most federal, state and local authorities all have some law that protects its citizens. If you are not familiar with each states rules and requirements then consider hiring a permit expediter. They are skilled in numerous government regulations and quickly and efficiently maneuver through each department to gather the right pieces of paper.
From the construction workers to the store workers to the shoppers, permits help keep them safe. They help prevent potential hazards and dangerous situations from arising. So, do your research, follow the law and obtain the proper permits.
