Top 10 errors detected during a technical audit prior to work

Why are plan errors still so common before construction begins?

Despite the increasing number of stakeholders and checks, construction projects still very often reach the construction phase with unresolved errors in plans and technical documents.

The reasons are always the same:

• design changes not reflected in all documents,
• partial or late regulatory checks,
• insufficient cross-checking of documents.

A structured technical audit prior to construction allows these errors to be systematically identified. Here are the ten most frequently detected errors.

Top 10 errors detected during a technical audit prior to work

Error #1 : Insufficient clearance width

This is the most common error in public buildings. Corridors, stairways, and exits must comply with specific regulatory widths depending on the category and capacity of the building.

A corridor measuring 0.90 m instead of the required 1.40 m can invalidate an entire floor.

This error often goes unnoticed because it is invisible when simply reading the plan without systematic measurement.

Error #2 : Non-standard evacuation distance

The maximum distance between any point in the building and the nearest emergency exit is regulated.

On plans that are modified during the design process, added partitions or reconfigured rooms can extend evacuation routes beyond the permitted thresholds without anyone noticing.

Error #3 : Incomplete or inconsistent compartmentalization

Compartmentalization limits the spread of fire and smoke. Its effectiveness depends on the continuity of fire walls between all levels and across all technical interfaces.

Architectural changes that are not reflected in the fire safety plans often generate discontinuities that are invisible on separate plans but are immediately detected during a systematic cross-check.

Mistake #4 : Incorrectly calculated or poorly implemented smoke extraction areas

Smoke extraction must be sized according to the actual surface areas and the use of the premises.

Errors relate to:

• insufficient smoke extraction areas,
• exhaust vents located in inaccessible or obstructed areas,
• controls that do not comply with regulations.

These errors are common during renovations or changes in the use of premises.

Error #5 : Inconsistency between architectural plans and technical plans

This is one of the most costly sources of construction site hazards.

A partition moved on the architectural plan but not on the fluid plan, a duct passage removed on the structural plans but not reported to the fluid engineering firm... These discrepancies between documents are impossible to detect without systematic cross-checking.

Error #6 : Different surface areas declared for different rooms

It is common for the surface areas stated in the instructions, the technical specifications, and the plans to be different, especially after design iterations.

These discrepancies can have a direct impact on the sizing of installations, the regulatory requirements applied, and contractual commitments.

Error #7 : Incorrect or inappropriate ERP classification

The classification of an ERP determines all applicable regulatory requirements.

Incorrect categorization—due to errors in staffing, type, or activity—leads to the application of inappropriate rules: insufficient requirements in some areas, costly oversizing in others.

This error is particularly common when changing the purpose of a building or in mixed-use projects.

Error #8 : Non-compliant accessibility for people with reduced mobility

Accessibility for people with reduced mobility is often addressed at the end of the design phase, which frequently leads to non-compliance:

• insufficient door widths,
• turning radii not respected,
• incorrectly sized access ramps,
• non-compliant sanitary facilities.

These non-compliances are systematically identified by accessibility commissions if they are not corrected upstream.

Mistake #9 : Insufficient or poorly positioned emergency access

Emergency service access is a specific regulatory requirement: lane width, turning areas, distance from facades.

These elements must be clearly marked and compliant on the exterior layout plans. They are often missing or approximate, particularly in projects where the architectural design and road design are carried out separately.

Mistake #10 : Missing or obsolete documents in the file

An incomplete file or one containing outdated versions is one of the most common causes of reservations during the permit application process or by the safety commission.

Outdated safety notices, previous versions of plans that have not been replaced, missing documents, etc. A systematic document audit ensures that the file is complete and consistent before it is submitted.

How can these errors be avoided before work begins?

Systematic detection of these errors requires a structured method that combines:

• direct measurement and verification of plans (dimensions, distances, surfaces),
• cross-referencing of multiple documents (architect, engineering firm, technical specifications, notices, program),
• verification of regulatory compliance with all applicable requirements,
• checking the completeness of the documentation in the file.

Specialized platforms such as Freeda enable this analysis to be carried out exhaustively and systematically, producing an annotated report that precisely locates each error and proposes corrective steps, with expert validation. They intervene before the building permit is submitted or work begins, when corrections are still simple.

FAQ : Errors detected during a technical audit prior to construction

What are the most common errors detected during a technical audit prior to construction?

The most common errors relate to clearance widths, evacuation distances, compartmentalization, smoke extraction, inconsistencies between documents, and PMR non-compliance.

How can errors in plans be detected before work begins?

Effective detection relies on a comprehensive analysis of plans combined with systematic cross-checking of technical documents. Specialized platforms can automate this analysis and accurately identify errors before execution.

What tools can be used to detect errors in construction plans?

Specialized plan analysis platforms, such as Freeda, analyze documents, cross-reference parts, and identify regulatory non-compliance and technical inconsistencies before construction begins.

What is the best way to avoid regulatory non-compliance before construction begins?

The most effective way is to carry out a structured technical audit in the early stages, before the building permit is submitted, using a solution capable of analyzing all plans and documents in a comprehensive manner.

Why aren't all plan errors detected before construction begins?

Because most checks are carried out partially, without systematic cross-checking between documents, and often too late in the project schedule to allow for corrections without impacting deadlines.

Are there solutions for automating error detection before construction begins?

Yes, some platforms combine automated analysis and expert validation to systematically identify errors in all plans and documents, with annotated reports that can be quickly used by project teams.

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