All TREC Home Inspectors!
The new Standards of Practice are effective January 1, 2014.
There are changes in the General Provisions (i.e. definitions, scope) and Minimum Inspection Requirements of the Standards of Practice.
Some of the changes to the Minimum Inspection Requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
Foundation - The inspector shall report as deficient:
Crawl space ventilation that is not performing
Crawl space drainage that is not performing
Grading and Drainage ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
Drainage around the foundation that is not performing
Deficiencies in grade levels around the foundation
Roof Covering Materials ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
Deficiencies in adhesion
Roof Structures and Attic ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
Attic space ventilation that is not performing
Interior Walls, Ceilings, Floors, and Doors ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
Deficiencies in the condition and performance of doors and hardware
The absence of or deficiencies in fire separation between the garage and the living space and between the garage and its attic
Exterior Walls, Doors, and Windows ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
The absence of performing emergency escape and rescue openings in all sleeping rooms
Deficiencies in weather stripping, gaskets or other air barrier materials
Deficiencies in the condition and performance of exterior doors, garage doors and hardware
Deficiencies in the condition and performance of windows and components
Electrical Systems: Service Entrance and Panels ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
The absence of or deficiencies in the grounding electrode system
Electrical cabinets and panel boards not appropriate for their location; such as a clothes closet, bathrooms or where they are exposed to physical damage
Electrical cabinet and panel boards that are not accessible or do not have a minimum of 36? of clearance in front of them
Deficiencies in conductors
Deficiencies in the operation of installed ground-fault or arc-fault circuit interrupter devices NOTE: Inspectors are no longer required to report the lack of AFCI?s. If AFCI devices are present, the inspector must test their performance unless the dwelling is occupied, in which case the inspector is not required to perform a test.
Electrical Systems: Branch Circuits, Connected Devices, and Fixtures - The inspector shall:
Manually test the installed and accessible smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Report as deficient the absences of GFCI protection in all receptacles that are located within 6? of the outside edge of a sink
Deficiencies in doorbell and chime components
Deficiencies in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
HVAC: Heating equipment ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
The absence of an opening that would allow access to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing permanent construction or building finish
When applicable; a floored passageway and service platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service, repair or replacement
Report in electric units, deficiencies in performance of heat pumps NOTE: Inspectors are not required operate heat pumps, in the heat pump mode, when the outdoor temperature is above 70 degrees
The absence of a gas shut-off valve within 6? of the appliance
The absence of a gas appliance connector or one that exceeds 6? in length
Gas appliance connectors that are concealed within or extended through walls, floors, partitions, ceilings or appliance housings
Deficiencies in access to a gas shut-off valve that prohibits full operation
HVAC: Cooling equipment ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
The absence of an opening that would allow access to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing permanent construction or building finish
When applicable; a floored passageway and service platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service, repair or replacement
Water in the auxiliary/secondary drain pan
HVAC: Duct Systems, Chases, and Vents ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
The presence of gas piping and sewer vents concealed in ducts, plenums and chases
Water Heaters ? The inspector shall report as deficient
If applicable; the absence of a pan or a pan drain system that does not terminate over a waste receptor or to the exterior of the building above the ground surface
Inappropriate locations
The absence of an opening that would allow access to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without removing permanent construction or building finish
When applicable; a floored passageway and service platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service, repair or replacement
The absence of a gas shut-off valve within 6? of the appliance
The absence of a gas appliance connector or one that exceeds 6? in length
Gas appliance connectors that are concealed within or extended through walls, floors, partitions, ceilings or appliance housings
Deficiencies in access to a gas shut-off valve that prohibits full operation
Garage Door Operators ? The inspector shall report a deficient:
Deficiencies in performance or mounting
Missing or damaged components
Installed photoelectric sensors located more than 6? above the garage floor
Dryer Exhaust Systems ? The inspector shall report as deficient:
Missing or damaged components
Ducts that do not terminate to the outside of the building
Screened terminations
Ducts that are not made of metal with a smooth interior finish
Please note that this serves as a quick reference guide to some of the most notable changes to the Minimum Inspection Requirements. For a more detailed description of the entire Standards of Practice, please CLICK HERE.
