Building Services improves processes

Dunedin (Wednesday, 21 October 2015) – A new booking system for building site inspections introduced this week will lead to efficiencies and more inspections being carried out.

Dunedin City Council Building Services Manager Neil McLeod says as well as a new booking system, building inspectors are using new devices which have the ability to download inspection records immediately and allow inspectors to access some DCC systems while in the field.

There are some delays in site inspections at the moment while staff are being trained on the new computer system. Usually inspections can be arranged within 24 to 48 hours, but there could be a delay of about a week at the moment while staff become familiar with the new system.

Mr McLeod says, “We ask that people be patient over the next 10 days while we get up and running properly. We are confident the new system will bring long term benefits for customers and the DCC.”

The changes mean a range of efficiencies, for example previously, inspectors had to have their site visit schedules printed out by the administration team the previous day. Now the booking system is fully automated, schedules can be downloaded directly to tablets and updated in the field. Reducing double handling with record keeping and accessing more records in the field means inspectors will be able to increase the number of site visits they do.

At the moment, inspectors carry out about 17,000 site visits a year. These visits make up 50% to 60% of the department’s work.

The new booking system was developed largely in-house and is part of a programme of ongoing improvements in the Building Services area. In time, inspectors should be able to access all building consent documentation in the field.

ENDS

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