Physical Shutter Inspections by Your Municipality: A Necessary Part of the Process
After your shutters are installed, a city or county inspector will visit your property to be sure the contractor installed them properly. You may need to be present for the inspection and can ask the inspector about the quality of your job.
If the shutters installed are not electric, there is an inspection to ensure that they are shutters certified to be used in your area and are installed according to the Florida Building Code, with the correct fasteners.
If the shutters require electrical connections, there is a second inspection to be sure the wiring was done according to code, attached to the proper circuit breakers, and with any disconnect system required by the municipality. Please note that a certified electrician is required to wire any electrically operated hurricane shutter system. If no electrician is present and you observe the installation crew attaching the wiring themselves, that is a violation of the law and could cause wiring issues or electrical fires if not done properly. You will have to be present for this inspection since the inspector may have to go into your garage to inspect the breakers or into the attic to inspect the wiring connections.
After these inspections are conducted, the homeowner receives a copy of the permit showing that all required inspections have passed.
Some companies try to bypass these inspections by using a system called “Affidavit Inspections” whereby the contractor hires a company to verify their installations, sign off on the job, and send the paperwork to the municipality. As a homeowner, you have no assurance that the job was inspected properly under this system since no city or county inspector ever sees the installation. The municipality accepts what they send them. Check with any contractor from whom you seek a quote to see if they use this type of inspection system or if they use the local municipal inspectors. You are entitled to know who will conduct the affidavit inspection and ask for their qualifications.