DANGEROUS OR ADVERSE SITUATIONS:
Situations which pose a threat of injury to the inspector, and those
situations which require use of special use of special protective
clothing or safety equipment.
DESCRIBE:
Report in writing a system or component by its type, or other observed
characteristics, to distinguish it from other components used for
the same
purpose.
DISMANTLE:
To take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment
that is bolted, screwed, or fastened by other means and that would
not be dismantled by a homeowner in the course of normal household
maintenance.
ENGINEERING:
Analysis or design work requiring extensive preparation and experience
in the use of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the engineering
sciences.
ENTER:
To go into an area to observe all visible components.
FUNCTIONAL DRAINAGE:
A drain is functional when it empties in a reasonable amount of
time and does not overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously.
FUNCTIONAL FLOW:
A reasonable flow at the highest fixture in a dwelling when another
fixture is
operated simultaneously.
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES:
Kitchen and laundry appliances, room air conditioners, and similar
appliances.
INSPECTOR:
Any person who examines any component of a building, through visual
means and through normal user controls, without the use of mathematical
sciences.
INSTALLED:
Attached or connected such that the installed item requires tools
for removal.
NORMAL OPERATING CONTROLS:
Homeowner operated devices such as a thermostat, wall switch, or
safety switch.
OBSERVE:
The act of making a visual examination.
ON-SITE WATER SUPPLY QUALITY:
Water quality is based on the bacterial, chemical, mineral, and
solids content of the water.
ON-SITE WATER SUPPLY QUANTITY:
Water quantity is the rate of flow of water.
OPERATE:
To cause systems or equipment to function.
PRIMARY WINDOWS AND DOORS:
Windows and/or exterior doors which are designed to remain in the
respective openings year round and not left open for the entire
summer.
READILY OPERABLE ACCESS PANEL:
A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance which
has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to
be lifted off, swung open, or otherwise removed by one person, and
its edges and fasteners are not painted in place. Limited to those
panels within normal reach or from a 4-foot step-ladder, and which
are not blocked by stored items, furniture, or building components.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:
Spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, tennis courts, playground
equipment, and other exercise, entertainment, or athletic facilities.
REPRESENTATIVE NUMBER:
For multiple identical components such as windows and electric outlets
- one such component on each side of the building.
ROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS:
Gutters, downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar components
used to carry water off a roof and away from a building.
SAFETY GLAZING:
Tempered Glass, laminated glass, or rigid plastic.
SHUT DOWN:
A piece of equipment or a system is shut down when it cannot be
operated by the device or control which a home owner should normally
use to operate it. If its safety switch or circuit breaker is in
the "off" position, or its fuse is missing or blown, the
inspector is not required to reestablish the circuit for the purpose
of operating the equipment or system.
SOLID FUEL HEATING DEVICE:
Any wood, coal, or other similar organic fuel burning device, including
but not limited to fireplaces whether masonry or factory-built,
fireplace inserts and stoves, woodstoves (room heaters,) central
furnaces, and combinations of these devices.
STRUCTURAL COMPONENT:
A component which supports non-variable forces or weighs (dead loads)
and variable forces or weights (live loads.)
SYSTEM:
A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled
to carry out one or more functions.
TECHNICALLY EXHAUSTIVE:
An inspection is technically exhaustive when it involves the extensive
use of measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, and other
means to develop scientific or engineering findings, conclusions,
and recommendations.
UNDER FLOOR CRAWL SPACE:
The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground
and the underside of the lowest floor structural component. |
