RULES
OF THE GAME
Understanding
the home inspection before it takes place is beneficial.
You will have a better understanding of the limitations,
conditions and standards of the home inspection process.
Please review these Standards of Practice and General
Limitations and Exclusions.
These Standards of Practice are set forth by The American
Society of Home Inspectors, and are a set of guidelines
for home inspectors to follow in the performance of their
inspections. They are the most widely accepted home inspection
guidelines in use, and include all of the home's major systems
and components. These Standards of Practice are recognized
by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors
and many government, professional, and legal authorities
as the definitive standard for professional performance.
Should you have additional questions please feel free to
call us prior to your Home Inspection.
1) Introduction, Purpose & Scope
2) Structural components
3) Exterior
4) Roofing
5) Plumbing
6) Electrical
7) Heating
8) Central Air Conditioning
9) Interiors
10) Insulation & Ventilation
11) Solid fuel burning appliances
12) General limitations and exclusions
1) INTRODUCTION, PURPOSE & SCOPE
The
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) is a not-for-profit
professional society established in 1976. ASHI's Standards
of practice have been widely adopted throughout North America
and establish a minimum and uniform standard for private
fee paid home inspectors. The intent is to provide the client
with information regarding the condition of the systems
and components of the home as inspected at the time of
the Home Inspection and to provide the client
with a better understanding of the property conditions as
observed at the time of the inspection.
The
Inspector shall inspect readily accessible systems and components
of the home listed in these Standards of Practice
and report on those systems and components inspected which,
in the professional opinion of the inspector, are significantly
deficient or are near the end of their service lives. The
Inspector will provide a reason why, if not self-evident,
the system or component is significantly deficient or near
the end of its service life as well as provide recommendations
to correct or monitor the reported deficiency.
The
inspector will report on any systems and components designated
for inspection in these Standards of Practice which were
present at the time of the Home Inspection but were not
inspected and a reason they were not inspected.
These
Standards are not intended to limit inspectors from:
A.
including other inspection services, systems or components
in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice.
B.
specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately
qualified and willing to do so.
C.
excluding systems and components from the inspection if
requested by the client.
2) STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
The
inspector shall inspect the structural components including
foundation and framing by probing a representative number
of structural components where deterioration is suspected
or where clear indications of possible deterioration exist.
Probing is NOT required when probing would damage any finished
surface or where no deterioration is visible.
The
Inspector will describe:
-
the foundation and report the methods used to inspect the
under-floor crawl space.
-
the floor structure.
-
the wall structure.
-
the ceiling structure.
-
the roof structure and report the methods used to inspect
the attic.
The
inspector is NOT required to:
-
provide any engineering service or architectural service.
-
offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system
or component.
3) EXTERIOR
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the exterior wall covering, flashing and trim.
-
all exterior doors.
-
attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their
associated railings.
-
the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the
ground level.
-
the vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining
walls when any of these are likely to adversely affect the
building.
-
walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling entrances.
-
describe the exterior wall covering.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.
-
fences.
-
Geological, geotechnical, or hydrological conditions.
-
recreational facilities.
-
outbuildings.
-
seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
-
erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
4) ROOF SYSTEM
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the roof covering.
-
the roof drainage systems.
-
the flashings.
-
the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
-
describe the roof covering and report the methods used to
inspect the roof.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
antennae.
-
interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible.
-
other installed accessories.
5) PLUMBING SYSTEM
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the interior water supply and distribution systems including
all fixtures and faucets.
-
the drain, waste and vent systems including all fixtures.
-
the water heating equipment.
-
the vent systems , flues, and chimneys.
-
the fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.
-
the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
The
inspector will describe
-
the water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials.
-
the water heating equipment including the energy source.
-
the location of main water and main fuel shut-off valves.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
the clothes washing machine connections.
-
the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily
accessible.
-
wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment.
-
water conditioning systems.
-
solar water heating systems.
-
fire and lawn sprinkler systems.
-
private waste disposal systems including septic systems.
The
inspector is NOT required to determine:
-
whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public
or private.
-
the quantity or quality of the water supply.
-
or operate safety valves or shut off valves.
6) ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the service drop.
-
the service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
-
the service equipment and main disconnects.
-
the service grounding.
-
the interior components of service panels and sub panels.
-
the conductors.
-
the overcurrent protection devices.
-
a representative number of installed lighting fixtures,
switches, and receptacles.
-
the ground fault circuit interrupters.
The
inspector shall describe:
-
the amperage and voltage rating of the service
-
the location of main disconnect(s) and sub panels
-
the wiring methods
The
inspector shall report:
-
on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit
wiring
-
on the absence of smoke detectors
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
the remote control devices unless the device is the only
control device.
-
the alarm systems and components.
-
the low voltage wiring, systems and components.
-
the ancillary wiring, systems and components not a part
of the primary electrical power distribution system.
-
measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.
7) HEATING SYSTEM
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the installed heating equipment.
-
the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
The
inspector will describe:
-
the energy source.
-
the heating method by its distinguishing characteristics.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily
accessible.
-
the heat exchanger.
-
the humidifier or dehumidifier.
-
the electronic air filter.
-
the solar space heating system.
-
determine heat supply adequacy or distribution balance.
8) AIR CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
The
inspector shall inspect the installed central and through-wall
cooling equipment.
The
inspector will describe:
-the
energy source.
-the
cooling method by its distinguishing characteristics.
The
inspector is NOT required to:
-
inspect electronic air filters.
-
determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance.
9) INTERIOR
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the walls, ceilings, and floors.
-
the steps, stairways, and railings.
-
the countertops and a representative number of installed
cabinets.
-
a representative number of doors and windows.
-
garage doors and garage door operators.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
the paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.
-
the carpeting.
-
the window treatments.
-
the central vacuum systems.
-
the household appliances.
-
recreational facilities.
10) INSULATION &
VENTILATION
The
inspector shall inspect:
-
the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
-
the ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
-
the mechanical ventilation systems.
The
inspector will describe:
-
the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
-
the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned
surfaces.
The
inspector is NOT required to:
-
disturb insulation or vapor retarders.
-
determine indoor air quality.
11) FIREPLACES AND
SOLID FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES
The
inspector shall inspect :
-
the system components.
-
the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
The
inspector will describe:
-
the fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
-
the chimneys.
The
inspector is NOT required to inspect:
-
the interiors of flues or chimneys.
-
the firescreens and doors.
-
the seals and gaskets.
-
the automatic fuel feed devices.
-
the mantles and fireplace surrounds.
-
the combustion make-up air devices.
-
the heat distribution assists whether gravity controlled
or fan assisted.
-
ignite or extinguish fires.
-
determine draft characteristics.
-
move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.
12) GENERAL LIMITATIONS
AND EXCLUSIONS
General limitations:
Inspections
performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice
-
are not technically exhaustive.
-
will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.
These
Standards are applicable to buildings with four or less
dwelling units and their garages or carports.
General exclusions:
A.
The inspector is not required to perform any action or make
any determination unless specifically stated in these Standards
of Practice, except as may be required by lawful authority.
B.
Inspectors are NOT required to determine:
-
the condition of systems or components which are not readily
accessible.
-
the remaining life of any system or component.
-
the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of
any system or component.
-
the causes of any condition or deficiency.
-
the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
-
future conditions including, but not limited to, failure
of systems and components.
-
the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
-
compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations,
laws, ordinances, etc.).
-
the market value of the property or its marketability.
-
the advisability of the purchase of the property.
-
the presence of hazardous plants or animals including, but
not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful
to humans.
-
the presence of any environmental hazards including, but
not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants
in soil, water, and air.
-
the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized
to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
-
the operating costs of systems or components.
-
the acoustical properties of any system or component.
Inspectors
are NOT required to offer:
-
or perform any act or service contrary to law.
-
or perform engineering services. or perform work in any
trade.
-
or any professional service other than home inspection.
-
warranties or guarantees of any kind.
Inspectors
are NOT required to operate:
-
any system or component which is shut down or otherwise
inoperable.
-
any system or component which does not respond to normal
operating controls.
-
shut-off valves.
Inspectors
are NOT required to enter:
-
any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely
be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage
the property or its systems or components.
-
the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily
accessible.
Inspectors
are NOT required to inspect:
-
underground items including, but not limited to underground
storage tanks or other underground indications of their
presence, whether abandoned or active.
-
systems or components which are not installed.
-
decorative items.
-
systems or components located in areas which are not entered
in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
-
detached structures other than garages and carports.
-
common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such
as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
Inspectors
are NOT required to:
-
perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion
of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or
other persons or damage the property or it's systems or
components.
-
move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture,
equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
-dismantle
any system or component, except as explicitly required by
these Standards of Practice.
Copyright
2000 American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
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