Building inspection produces a flow of documents separate from the construction itself: determination records, nonconformity records and laboratory results. In projects with foreign investors these records are reported to the investor regularly. The fact that the documents are short does not mean they need no care in translation.
Stage determination records
When the works reach specific stages, a determination is made and a record (seviye tespit tutanağı) is drawn up. Each record states which stage it shows, and the stage names are fixed. The names are rendered consistently.
Nonconformity records
Deficiencies found in an inspection are notified in a separate record and tracked until they are remedied. The record number and date build the chain. The closing record is carried over separately.
Concrete sample results
Samples taken from the poured concrete are tested in the laboratory and the strength values are reported. The sample number, the pouring date and the test date have meaning together. All three are carried over.
Strength classes
Concrete strength classes are written in a standard notation, and this notation is not translated. The class information is the acceptance criterion itself. It is carried over exactly.
Steel tensile tests
Samples taken from the reinforcing steel are subjected to a tensile test and the results are entered in a table. The test method is indicated by its standard number. The number is carried over together with its year.
Laboratory report headers
The reports state the laboratory's certificate of authority and its scope, and this information shows the validity of the report. The authority details are not skipped. Organisation names are carried over.
Sampling records
Where and by whom the sample was taken is entered in a separate record. This record ensures the traceability of the result. The chain of records is preserved.
Inspection personnel records
The titles and certificates of authority of the persons carrying out the inspection are in the file. The titles rest on professional qualification, and their equivalents are chosen with care. Document numbers are carried over.
The site handover record
The start of the inspection process is entered in a separate record (iş yeri teslim tutanağı), and the date is decisive. This date is the reference for all later records. It is carried over exactly.
Checking conformity with the design
The inspection checks that the works conform to the design and records any deviation. Deviation records are written in technical terms. Consistency of terms is preserved.
Photographic annexes
Photographs are most often attached to the records, and the photograph captions carry information. The captions are translated and the numbering of the photographs is preserved. The images are not rearranged.
Relationship with the progress payment
The progress payment may not move forward without the inspection's approval, and the two document flows are linked to each other. The references are followed. A broken reference makes the process unclear.
Notifications to the authority
The inspection firm notifies the relevant authority of certain situations, and this correspondence is in the file. Organisation names and letter numbers are preserved. The chain is carried over as a whole.
Work completion certificates
The documents issued at the end of the process are used as references in the future. The document number and the statement of scope have meaning together. Both are carried over.
Version and revision
Inspection reports may be revised, and which revision was translated is recorded. When two revisions are mixed up, the nonconformity status appears wrong. The record is mandatory.
Investor reporting
The regular reporting to the foreign investor summarises these records and gives rise to a regular flow of translation. The terminology list is kept fixed between periods. Continuity is the indicator of quality.
The costliest mistake in this sector
Translating a nonconformity record as if it were closed shows an open risk as closed, and the investor is misinformed. This is why status wording is fixed as set phrases. Closing records are checked separately.