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STANDARDS OF PRACTICE <br />OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HOME INSPECTORS <br />TABIE Of CONTENTS <br />Sectian Description Page <br />i Introduction 3 <br />2 Purpase 8 Scope 3 <br />3 General Limitanons & Exclusions 3 <br />s Structural Components 4 <br />5 Extenor a <br />6 Roofing 4----I <br />? <br />; Ptumbing 4 <br />g Electncal 5 ? <br />9 Heating 5 <br />10 Central Air Conditioning 5 ' <br />11 Intenors 5 <br />12 Insulation and VeFltilation 5 <br />GIOSSAFiY 6 <br />NOTE: Ifalicrzed words are defined in the Gtossary. <br />1 INTRODUCTION <br />1.1 The American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc. <br />A. The American Saciery of Home Inspectors. Inc. (ASHI) is a <br />nat-for-p(ofit professional sociery esiablished in 1976 <br />whose volunteer membership consists of private. fee-paid <br />home inspectocs. ASHI's objecGves include pramotion of <br />ezcellence within the profession and continual improvement <br />of its members' inspecdon services to the public. <br />1.2 These Standards of Practice <br />A. provide inspeCtion guidelines <br />8. make public the services provided by private fee-paid <br />inspectors <br />C. define certain terms relating to these inspections <br />Z PURPOSE ANU SCOPE <br />2.1 Inspections pertarmed to these Standards shall: <br />A. provide the Gient with a better understanding of the <br />propeRy coaditions. as observed at the time of the <br />inspection <br />2.2 <br />2.3 <br />Inspectors shall: <br />q. observe readily accessible instaUed systems and <br />componenls listed in these Standards <br />B. submit a written report to the client which shall: <br />1, describe those components specified to be described in <br />sections 4-12 of ihese Standards <br />2. state which systems and components designated for <br />inspection in these Standards have been inspected <br />3. state arry systems and components so inspected which- <br />were found to be in need of immediate major repair <br />These Standards are not intended to limit <br />inspectors iram: . <br />A. reporting observations and conditions in addition to those <br />required in Sectian 2.2 <br />B. excluding systems and componenls from the inspection if <br />requesied by the ctient <br />3 GENERAL LIMiTATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS <br />3.1 Generallimitations: <br />A. inspections dane in accordance with these Standards are <br />visual artd are not rechnicalty exhausJive. <br />8. These Siandards are applicable ta buiidings with faur or <br />less dwelGng units and their garages ar carports. <br />3.2 General exclusians: <br />A. Irtspectors are NOT required to report on: <br />__ 1. life expectancy of any aomponentor system <br />2. the causes of the need tor a majar repair <br />3. the metfiods. materials and costs of correctians <br />4_ the suitabilky of the property far any special'¢ed use <br />5. compliance or non-compliance with appl'icable <br />regulatory requirements <br />6. the market value of the property or its marketability <br />7. the advisabiliry or inadvisability of purchase of the <br />PraPertY <br />8. any componerrt ar system which was not abserved <br />9. the presence or absence of pests such as waod <br />damaging organisms, rodents, ar insects <br />10. casmeric items, uriderground items, or items not <br />permanendy installed <br />8. Inspectors are NOT required to: <br />t. offer or perfarm any act or service contrary to law <br />2. offer warrandes or guarantees of any kind <br />3. oifer or perfortn enginesring, architectural, plumbing, or <br />any other job function requiring an axupaGanal licensa <br />irt the jurisdicaan where the inspection is taking. place. <br />unless the inspector holds a valid occupadonal licertse, in <br />which case he/she may infortrt the dierrt that he/she is so <br />licetised. and is therefare qualified to ga beyond the <br />ASHI Siandards of Pracrice, and for an addi6cnal fee, <br />perfortn additional inspecdons beyond those vvkhin the <br />scope ot the basic ASHI inspection <br />4. cak:utate the strength, adequacy, or efficiency of any <br />system or aomponent <br />5. enterany area or pertorm any procedure which may <br />damaqe the praperty or its components or be dangerous <br />to the insper.toror other, persons <br />6. operate any system or component which is shut down or <br />otherwise in)perable <br />7. operate any system or componen[ which does not <br />respond to normal operaang controls <br />8. disturb insula6on, mave personal items, tumiture. ecWiP- <br />ment plant life, soil. snow, ice. or debris whic* obstructs <br />access ar visibiliry <br />9. detertnine the presersce or'absence ot anry suspected <br />hazardous substance irtcluding but not limited to toxins. <br />caranogens. noise. contaminants in soii. water, and air <br />10. determine the effectivveness of arry sysfem instatled to <br />controt ar remove suspected hazardous substances <br />11. predict future conditions, including but nat limited to <br />failure of components <br />12. project aperaGng costs of components <br />13. evaluate acoustical characterisiics of any system or <br />component <br />3.3 Limitatians and exclusions specific ta individual <br />systems are listed in following sections.