Inspections
- Inspections reinforce the quality of installations.
- Inspections before work is completed or enclosed can prevent expensive hidden problems.
- Inspections help assure that owners have a dependable building when they decide to sell and that buyers are protected from hidden dangers.
- Inspections help assure that owners receive the workmanship, materials, and systems they’re paying for.
- Loans and insurance are often affected by valuable permits and inspections.
- Keep your inspection records. They are important in the case of future disputes.
- Fire prevention codes and inspections keep occupied buildings protected from hazardous activities. Every commercial building in Wisconsin is protected by annual local fire department inspections to avoid the start of fires.

Codes
- Building codes are developed through public consensus.  For example, a dozen code advisory councils are involved in Wisconsin’s current commercial building code update process.
- National model codes help people carry construction knowledge across geographical boundaries.
- Codes represent the combined experience and shared knowledge of people through history and across varying geography.
- Property owners will want to be able to show code requirements were met.
- Fire prevention codes and inspections keep occupied buildings protected from hazardous activities. Every commercial building in Wisconsin is protected by annual local fire department inspections to avoid the start of fires.
- Accessible homes are for baby boomers as well as people with disabilities.

Permits
- Permits allow and reflect planning.
- Permits help everyone be informed and keep track.
- Permits prevent and end nuisances.
- Permits are often required for new buildings, additions, renovations, electrical systems, plumbing systems, and heating-ventilation-air conditioning.  Also for garages, decks, fences, fire places/stoves, pools.
- Loans and insurance are often affected by valuable permits and inspections.<
- Plan reviews are done for commercial buildings, one- and two-family dwellings, plumbing, wastewater systems, electrical, boilers and pressure vessels, fire protection systems, and public swimming pools.

Code officials
- Code officials protect public health and safety through enforcement.
- Local officials can teach you how to obtain permits, design, and construct safe and healthy buildings.
- Plan reviewers promtoe safe, code-compliant quality design.
- Code officials are available to offer consultation and education to owners, designers, installers, contractors.
- Contact your local building code officials to get the best start for your construction projects.
- Use municipal code officials’ experience to advance your project.  They have valuable advice and answers to construction questions.

UDC
- The Uniform Dwelling Code governs the construction of safe one and two-family dwellings in Wisconsin.  All new construction of these home requires plan review, building permits, and inspections.  These services are provided by local municipalities (eight county-wide systems) or, by local choice, are done by private inspection agencies.  Remodeling and additions also are serviced by the permitting and inspection system.  Local municipal officials should be contacted first before beginning one- and two-family dwelling building projects.

  Commercial Buildings
-  Plan review, permitting, and inspection of safety-minded commercial building projects in Wisconsin (new, additions, remodeling) are services shared by local and state officials.  Some townships, villages, and cities have extra authority delegated by the Safety and Buildings Division to provide special local services.  Officials of townships, villages, and cities should be contacted before doing any commercial building project.

  Weatherization
- The Safety and Buildings Division administers the rental unit energy efficiency program, which intends to protect the pocketbook of renters and our society in general by providing for minimum apartment building energy efficiency standards.  Private rental weatherization inspectors look for code compliance.  Documentation of compliance (or stipulation of intention to bring into compliance) must be provided to county Register of Deeds offices in order to transfer a property title.  Stipulations are validated in most part by authorized agents.

  Electrical
- The Wisconsin Electrical Code is largely based on the high standards of the National Electrical Code.  While the Wisconsin code is state-wide, what licenses may be required to do electrical work is a local decision.  Local officials should always be contacted before electrical work to be sure safety is backed up with appropriate permits and inspections.

  Fire Departments
- Fire chiefs are deputies of the Department of Commerce Safety and Buildings Division in providing for the safety and health of people in Wisconsin buildings.  The ongoing efforts of fire department personnel for fire safety inspections and education is a major point of pride in our state.

  Elevators
- Building permits for elevator, escalator, and lift additions or remodeling are issued by local officials.  Plan review of these units (outside the City of Milwaukee) is done by Safety and Buildings Division staff, as is provision of permits to operate. Inspections are done at different times by independent inspection agencies or S&B staff.

  Plumbing
- Local officials issue permits when they are neccessary for a plumbing project.  Municipalities may have commercial building or one- and two-family plumbing inspectors looking to protect our health.  Eleven muncipalities have plumbing plan review authority for some projects. S&B staff do plan review and have inspection authority delegated by S&B for many projects.  People

  Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
- County staff are particularly important to protecting our wells and groundwater from pollution through their services in plan review, permit issuance, and inspection of installation and maintenance of private onsite wastewater treatment systems.  Counties are the basis for the Wisconsin Fund, which provides money for improvement of failing POWTS.

  Boilers/Pressure Vessels
- Protection against the hazards of boilers, pressure vessels, and power piping is the responsibility of City of Milwaukee staff in their jurisdiction.  Certified boiler inspectors may be employed or contracted by state or other government entities, or private companies.  Weld test conductors and the National Board Commission give exams to assure safety through welding competence.
 
Public Swimming Pools
- The Safety and buildings Division is looking for bids from entities which would provide inspections for construction of public swimming pools.  Contact Noreen Ray, noreen.ray@wisconsin.gov, 608-267-7201.

Publicize

- Building Safety Week is an opportunity to provide public information and advertise.
- Safe and healthy buildings are a basic need and expectation.  The public sometimes is not clear how government systems functions that are set up to satisfy the need and the expectation.  What's the difference between a zoning permit and a building permit?  Who do I contact to get a building permit to install a fire sprinkler system?  What can I do to ensure my home is safe and retains its value?  Information media can answer some of those questions.
 
- We live, work, and play in structures that are complicated and have potential to cause harm if not honestly constructed and maintained.
- Many many people and companies are part of the scenario and may wish to publicize their service
**For example: 
Accessibility specialists  ("Accessible homes protect the safety of your children and your parents.")
Building maintenance  ("We prevent dangerous conditions in your building.")
Labor organizations  ("Work done by our members is always done with your safety and health in mind.")
Designers  ("We know the codes and processes to provide you with the maximum safety and healthy surroundings.")
Fire sprinkler companies  ("Fire sprinklers save lives and protect property.")
Contractors  ("Our work always has your family's safety and health in mind.")
POWTS  (wastewater treatment) installers ("Wastewater treatment systems must be properly installed to protect your water supply.")
Private inspection companies  ("We know the codes and provide written reports.")
Electricians  ("Does your electrical wiring need upgrading to handle modern demands?")
Plumbers  ("Don't let bad water get into good.  Do you have any cross connections?")
HVAC/Elevator/Boiler/Alarm Systems (etc.) installers  ("Make sure your work is done by professional, experienced ... )
Insurance companies  ("We can offer suggestions about how to protect lives and property.")
Developers  ("We only build the best, safest, code-compliant homes."