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Building Inspection Templates

Build the inspection forms your program actually uses — system fields, data-entry fields, and inspection-specific fields, in your own layout.

Overview

Inspection templates define the form your inspectors fill out. Instead of one fixed report, you build forms that match your program — a detailed annual site inspection, a dental facility visit, or a quick field check. Every inspection you schedule uses one of your templates.


Where templates live

Go to Configurations > Templates. The Templates page lists your templates by category — inspection templates live under Oversight.

SwiftComply includes two inspection templates to start from:

  • Hard Copy Inspection Report Upload — mirrors the classic fixed inspection form. Your existing inspections were moved onto this template and work exactly as before.

  • Annual Facility Inspection — an example built from real customer inspection forms. Edit it, copy from it, or delete it if it doesn't fit your program.


Creating an inspection template

  1. On the Templates page, click New Template.

  2. Choose the Oversight category, then the Inspection document type.

  3. Name the template. Template names must be unique — across every category, not just inspections.

  4. Build the form (next section) and save.


The three kinds of fields

System fields fill in automatically from the Industrial User's records when the inspection is completed — things like Location Name, Account Number, Discharge POTW, SIC/NAICS codes, addresses, and permit information. Place them where you want them; inspectors never type them.

Data entry fields are the questions your inspector answers. Eight types:

Field type

What the inspector sees

Short Text

A single-line answer

Long Text

A paragraph answer

Date

A date picker

Time

A time picker

Numeric

A number

Checkbox

A checkbox

Multiple Choice

Your options, shown as radio buttons or a dropdown — your choice when you configure the field

Photo Upload

Inline photo upload — the photos render in the finished PDF

Inspection fields are purpose-built for the inspection workflow:

Field

Notes

Inspection Start

Date/time — required in every inspection template

Inspection End

Date/time — required in every inspection template

Inspection Due Date

The scheduled due date

Inspection Result

Pass / Fail

Inspection Type

Scheduled / Unannounced

Inspection Reason

Annual / Violation / Complaint / New Facility / Other

Authority Follow Up Required

Yes/No — adds a description field for the details when needed

IU Corrective Actions

Yes/No plus a description — the pair inserts together

Samples Taken

Yes/No

IU Representative Signature

Name entry plus a signed-on date/time — the pair inserts together

Nonconformances

The inspection's nonconformances table

Required fields are marked with an asterisk in the editor's sidebar. Everything except Inspection Start and Inspection End is optional.


Editing and maintaining templates

  • Changing a template affects future inspections created from it. Completed inspections keep the form they were completed with.

  • The default templates are yours to change — edit or delete them like any other.


FAQ

Why is my template name rejected when I try to save?

Template names are unique across ALL categories. Pick a name not used by any other template, including permit templates.

Why won't a field delete from the form?

It's required. Inspection Start and Inspection End must stay in every inspection template.

Why does an inspection show old questions?

It was created before your template change. Template edits apply to inspections created after the change.


Related articles

  • Scheduling and Completing Inspections

  • Recording Nonconformances on an Inspection

  • Understanding Permit Templates and System Tables

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