⚠ The Factories in Your Supply Chain May Look Safe. Without a Structural Audit, You Don't Actually Know
Since the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013, structural safety in supplier facilities has become a board-level priority for brands and retailers worldwide. Structural failures still occur today, including factory fires, explosions, and collapses, often resulting in regulatory investigations, press coverage, and long-term reputational impact. In many cases, these incidents could have been prevented through routine structural assessments and ongoing maintenance.
When a failure occurs within a supply chain, the question raised by investors, customers, and the media is rarely what the factory owner did. It is what the brand did to ensure conditions were safe. A structural audit conducted through QIMA provides documented evidence of due diligence, demonstrating that appropriate steps were taken to verify supplier facility safety.
Any of the following can silently increase structural risk in a supplier facility:
Extreme weather, such as monsoon rains or heavy snowfall
Natural events, such as earthquakes
Vibration caused by machinery or nearby construction
Water leaks in walls
Structural additions, such as mezzanine floors or additional storage areas
Heavy loads, such as water storage tanks added to roofs or floor-level racking
Exposure to corrosive chemicals
Repurposing of a building beyond its original design specification
Why QIMA for Structural Audits?
Audits conducted by licensed structural engineers, not generalist auditors: QIMA structural audits are performed by licensed engineers with expertise in design and construction supervision. Each finding is supported by professional engineering judgment rather than a general compliance checklist.
Full structural assessment across nine areas, not just visual inspection: The audit protocol covers load conditions, structural integrity, fire safety, electrical safety, and thermographic scanning of critical electrical components. Non-destructive testing (NDT) is applied where required, ensuring structural risks are thoroughly evaluated.
Corrective Action Plans that prioritize risk: Every audit report includes a graded factory safety level and a tailored Corrective Action Plan that distinguishes between critical risks requiring immediate action and preventive measures that can be addressed through planned maintenance. This provides a clear prioritization framework for remediation.
Follow-up support to close findings: Beyond reporting, QIMA supports implementation of corrective measures, including live load analysis, post-earthquake inspection, and on-site structural safety training. Progress is tracked until all findings are resolved.
100+ country coverage with local building code expertise: QIMA structural auditors operate across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas with knowledge of local building and construction codes. More than 30,000 clients trust QIMA, and it is independently ranked #1 in the industry for customer satisfaction.
How a Structural Audit Works
Step 1: Request your audit
Tell QIMA which facility you need assessed, its location, and any specific concerns such as recent structural changes, weather events, or changes in building use. You receive confirmation and pricing within 24 hours.
Step 2: Engineer assigned and documentation reviewed
QIMA assigns a licensed structural engineer with expertise in local building codes and construction standards. Before the site visit, the engineer reviews available documentation, including building descriptions, structural certifications, and construction approvals.
Step 3: Comprehensive on-site assessment
The QIMA engineer conducts a full structural inspection covering nine areas: load conditions, structural system integrity, defects and damage, fire safety, electrical safety, thermographic scanning of critical electrical components, plan verification, building maintenance, and additional structural features. Non-destructive testing (NDT) is applied where required.
Step 4: Graded audit report delivered
You receive a full structural audit report via the QIMA platform, including an overall factory safety grade, detailed findings with photographic evidence for each identified risk, and a prioritised Corrective Action Plan distinguishing critical risks from preventative maintenance recommendations.
Step 5: Follow-up and improvement program
QIMA supports implementation of corrective actions beyond reporting. Follow-up services include live load analysis, post-earthquake inspection, simulation performance testing, fire safety plan redesign, and on-site structural safety training, with progress tracked until closure of findings.
Factory Structural Safety Verified by Licensed Engineers Across 100+ Countries
Every QIMA structural audit delivers a graded safety report, photographic evidence of every finding, and a prioritised Corrective Action Plan. Get a quote and receive confirmation within 24 hours.
QIMA’s Structural Audit Protocol
Our audit protocol covers:
Background information/documentation: Detailed building description, verification of structural certifications and construction approvals
Load conditions: Floor-by-floor assessment of load management, identification of 'at risk' loads and misuse of the building; application of non-destructive testing (NDT).
Structural system: Description of structural forms and the building foundation system, review of alterations
Structural defects, damage, distress, deformation, or deterioration: Foundations, superstructure, floors, and roof assessment
Plan and alignment: Verification that dimensions in key areas of the factory comply with the design plan.
Building maintenance and exposure to aggressive environmental conditions: Evaluation of building maintenance, drainage, and exposure to chemicals that could affect structural safety
Further structural surveys and checks: Additional assessment of potentially dangerous structural features, such as water tanks, lifts, and safety barriers
Fire safety: Full verification of fire safety compliance based on local legal requirements and best practices in the industry
Electrical safety: Full verification of electrical safety compliance, based on local legal requirements and best practices in the industry
Thermographic scan: Verification of the temperature of key electrical components to identify potential risks related to overload or loose connections.
The Next Steps After a Structural Audit Is Completed
Post-audit, we will provide a comprehensive structural audit report, accessible through your online QIMA account.
The report includes:
Grading of the factory’s safety level
Detailed explanation of any identified risks
Necessary supporting photographic evidence
Our auditor will also provide a corrective action plan, based on the audit findings, which will detail any necessary remediation steps, such as repairs, retrofitting measures, strengthening of structural elements, or replacement of damaged or faulty components.
Follow-Up Services
Beyond the audit, we also assist factories in addressing potential risks. We can help establish an improvement program for each factory and provide follow-up to ensure that the necessary corrective actions are implemented.
We can also provide other follow-up services, such as:
Live load analysis through laboratory material testing and/or on-site stress tests
Post-earthquake inspection
Simulation performance testing
Fire safety and electrical plan redesign
Review of geotechnical reports to support factories in their remediation efforts
Custom onsite training, eLearning, and workshops on structural safety best practices and specific structural safety topics, such as load analysis and fire safety.
These combined services help suppliers achieve structural safety compliance.
Trusted by 30,000 Brands to Get Testing Right
30,000
Clients worldwide
100+
Countries covered
6,000+
Field and lab experts
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Net Promoter Score
QIMA structural audits are conducted by licensed engineers across 100+ countries with local expertise in building codes, construction standards, and structural safety requirements specific to each market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a structural audit cost?
Pricing depends on facility size, location, and scope of assessment. QIMA provides fixed-fee quotes with no hidden costs. You can request a quote online and typically receive confirmation within 24 hours.
2. How long does a structural audit take?
Most structural audits are completed on-site within one to two days, depending on facility size and complexity. The full graded audit report is delivered through the QIMA platform within a few days after the site visit.
3. Which facilities in my supply chain need a structural audit?
Any facility where workers are present can carry structural risk, including factories, warehouses, and processing sites. Higher-priority sites include older buildings, facilities with structural modifications, locations in regions prone to seismic or extreme weather events, and sites where operational changes have increased load requirements.
4. What happens after the audit identifies risks?
The report includes a prioritised Corrective Action Plan distinguishing critical risks from preventive recommendations. QIMA provides guidance on remediation actions such as repair, retrofitting, or component replacement, and can support implementation through its follow-up improvement program.
5. Can QIMA audit facilities in any country?
QIMA structural auditors operate in more than 100 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with expertise in local building codes and construction standards. Coverage for specific locations can be confirmed on request.
6. How often should a structural audit be conducted?
Audit frequency depends on facility age, risk profile, and operational changes. As a baseline, an audit every one to two years is recommended for active manufacturing sites. Higher-risk facilities, such as those in seismic zones or undergoing modifications, may require more frequent assessments. QIMA can help design a tailored audit schedule.
7. What does the structural audit report include?
Every report includes an overall factory safety grade, detailed findings across nine assessment areas, photographic evidence of identified risks, and a prioritised Corrective Action Plan. Reports are available immediately via the QIMA platform.
8. Does QIMA only produce a report, or can you help fix the issues?
In addition to reporting, QIMA provides a follow-up improvement program including live load analysis, post-earthquake inspection, simulation testing, fire safety redesign, and on-site structural safety training, with progress tracking until corrective actions are completed.
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