The limited visible (or patent) commercial inspection of a property would include locating typical safety concerns and observable defects and features of the existing commercial property. The inspection is meant to be non-invasive, non-destructive, and non-penetrating. The commercial property inspector will not be lifting, moving or transferring items from their original positions. The inspector will not be opening hatches, testing internal components or getting himself or herself into confined spaces. The limited visual inspection will not include engineering measurements, calibrations, or running any equipment, appliance or system through complete cycles of all options. Observable items like appliances and equipment will be operated and tested for on and off controls, and a typical operation cycle if permissible.
Commercial inspections will not focus on any particular specialized equipment or plant used to run the operation of an enterprise but rather on the business structure that houses the people and equipment.