3 Types of Parking Garage Inspections to Ensure Your Structure Is Up to Standards

Regular parking garage inspections are essential for owners to ensure safety, adhere to regulations, and avoid costly penalties. 

Continue reading to learn about the benefits of regular assessments and how the multiple types of parking garage inspections StructureCare offers to help maintain the health of your structure.

Before we discuss the types of parking garage inspections we offer at StructureCare, we understand you may be wondering why they’re needed in the first place. 

Diving deeper into the key benefits of parking garage assessments and inspections can help you gain clarity about their importance and why they’re crucial for every parking structure. 

Safety

Inspections can identify structural weaknesses or damage that could lead to catastrophic failures such as collapses. Additionally, regular inspections can ensure you catch potential hazards such as loose rails, uneven floors, or faulty lighting before they become a larger problem.  

Cost-Effectiveness

Identifying issues early doesn’t only ensure safety, but also can save you money in the long run. If you wait to address structural problems, they can become costly to repair or replace. Inspections can also lead to proactive maintenance which minimizes downtime and future disruptions. 

Compliance and Asset Management

Many jurisdictions have specific regulations regarding parking garage inspections, and failing to comply with these can result in penalties. Insurance companies also often require regular inspections to maintain coverage.

Your parking garage is an investment and inspections allow you to maintain the value of your structure as an asset for years to come. Finally, inspections provide helpful data to inform future maintenance or renovation plans if needed.

Determining how often to get parking garage inspections will vary. To start, try asking yourself  the following questions:

• Do you have a new or recently renovated structure?
• Is your structure older or exposed to high traffic?
• Does your structure have a history of repair or maintenance issues?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, your parking garage may be due for an inspection.

The type of inspection you need could depend on a variety of factors including, but not limited to the age of the structure, usage, history of repairs or maintenance, local and state regulations, and insurance requirements.

Additionally, the material of your garage will significantly influence what experts are looking for during inspections. For example, concrete and precast concrete garages are built to last for years, but even they will begin to deteriorate from everyday wear and tear and weather conditions.

When performing inspections for concrete and precast concrete garages, experts may look at some of the following elements:

• Structural Integrity

Check for cracks, spalling, or other signs of deterioration in the concrete structure.

• Reinforcing Steel Corrosion

Assess the condition of the steel reinforcement within the concrete.

• Prestressed Concrete Condition

Evaluate the condition of prestressing tendons and anchorages.

• Joint and Connection Condition

Check for cracking, displacement, or other signs of deterioration at the joints between precast concrete elements.

• Fire Resistance

Make certain the garage’s fire protection systems are up to date and properly working.

• Drainage Systems

Address any current or potential water damage and flooding.

The parking garage inspection process is also contingent upon different factors. However, traditional processes tend to include some, if not all, of the steps outlined below. 

Initial Inspection

A team of experts will gather information about the garage, such as its age, construction materials, and maintenance history. Additionally, the garage’s usage patterns, traffic flow, and any known hazards and potential risks will be analyzed and noted. 

Visual Inspection

During a walk-through, experts will examine all areas for signs of damage, wear, or deterioration. They will check for defects like cracks, spalling concrete, corrosion, leaks, and other structural issues. This is also when emergency exits, fire protection systems, lighting, ventilation, and other safety features are assessed. 

Structural Evaluation

Nondestructive testing techniques, such as ultrasonic testing, ground-penetrating radar, or concrete core sampling, can be used to evaluate the garage's structural integrity. During this stage of parking garage assessments, design documents are often reviewed to ensure the garage’s design complies with current building codes and standards. 

Documentation, Reporting, and Remediation

All findings will be documented throughout the process to create a comprehensive report. This will detail all inspection observations and required repairs as well as recommendations to keep the health of your structure maintained for years to come. 

Once a complete plan is developed and approved, repairs and replacements are addressed. The progress of the project is closely monitored to ensure budget and timeline remain within the initial project scope. Finally, a follow-up parking garage inspection will be scheduled and any preventative maintenance plans will be implemented.

As we mentioned above, parking garage assessments and inspections are the most effective way to reveal potential issues and hazards, saving you time, money, and stress by extending the service life of your parking structure.

There are 3 main types of parking garage inspections and assessments we specialize in at StructureCare. Below, we’ve provided more detail explaining what each of these are, and how they can benefit your parking garage. 

1. Detailed Condition Assessment

This in-depth assessment of your parking structure includes a three-year predictive pricing model for construction. Using advanced testing and leveraging our decades of experience, we can prioritize repairs based on safety, structural integrity, and cost. Our detailed proposal will outline the scope of work and provide a clear budget for your decision-making.

2. Condition Review

A condition review is generally performed after a full condition assessment, but we can also offer one-time reviews. Keep in mind that these reviews are less in-depth and may not provide a complete picture of deterioration. They're most effective for tracking and reprioritizing issues previously identified.

3. Field Investigation

This specialized inspection is designed to identify and address existing damage. We can pinpoint visible and hidden damage, allowing us to prioritize repairs according to the severity of the issues.

Every structure is different, which is why if you’re unclear about what type of parking garage inspection you need, we recommend contacting experts like StructureCare to help you navigate the choices.

Contact one of our experts to schedule an inspection or find out how we can help you maintain the structural integrity of your garage today.