Umar Johnson -- Exposed

In Wilmington, Delaware, you cannot legally open or operate a school without a valid Certificate of Occupancy (CO). Here’s why—and there’s very little wiggle room. Why A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is MANDATORY Certificate of Occupancy is the city’s official confirmation that a building is:  Structurally safe Fire-code compliant Zoned for its intended use (in this case, a school)  Approved for human occupancy, especially children  Without it, the building is legally considered unfit for use. Wilmington AND Delaware Rules (stacked requirements) To open a school in Wilmington,  all of the following must be true: 1. City of Wilmington Requirements CO issued by the City’s Licenses and Inspections Department Correct zoning classification for an educational facility Passed fire, electrical, plumbing, and building inspections Operating without a CO is a code violation , even for nonprofits .  2. State of Delaware Requirements  Delaware Department of Education...

What Is A Punch List? A contractor’s punch list for a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is a final checklist of small but critical items that must be completed, corrected, or verified before a building is legally approved for use. Think of it as the “last mile” before the city says: “You’re cleared to occupy this building.” It usually comes after the final inspection but before the CO is issued.  Typical list items include:  Safety Code Compliance All exit signs installed and illuminated Emergency lighting operational  Handrails and guardrails securely installed Fire extinguishers mounted and tagged Smoke detectors and fire alarms tested and certifi Sprinkler system inspection passed (if applicable) Doors, Windows & Access All doors close and latch properly Fire-rated doors labeled and self-closing ADA-compliant hardware installed Windows open/close and lock correctly Electrical All outlets, switches, and fixtures installed  GFCI and AFCI outlets tested Electrica...