Is your inspector a "code" inspector?
Another way of wording this is: does your inspector inspect to "minimum" standards?
Does your inspector inspect to the NACHI and/or ASHI Standards of Practice?
Another way of wording this is: does your inspector inspect to "minimum" standards?
I hope you can see from these questions that the questions themselves can be misleading and not very helpful in gaining any understanding of the kind of inspection you are going to get. The reality is that your inspector better be doing more than the "minimum"----and most do----or you will be at risk of not being fully informed about the home.
One huge glaring omission from most Association's Standards of Practice is any "specific" mention of fire-stopping. I have to hope that most inspectors would mention missing fire-stopping, but if they are not being trained to identify missing fire-stopping, it is an area that may be getting overlooked and not reported on.
The basic idea with fire-stopping is that you want to slow the spread of fire from one building area to another. For example holes from the basement space into walls above and then into the attic or floor system above the walls can promote the spread of fire by chimney effect. This would greatly decrease the amount of time before the whole home becomes engulfed in flames----and before the wife and kids can get out. These "chimneys" can be as seemingly insignificant as wiring holes or as blatant as the spaces around ducts and plumbing pipes.
On a recent inspection the main heating distribution duct ran though a space where a chimney used to be----all the way to the attic of the two story house. Current requirements call for there to be fire-stopping around such duct work at every floor level and where the duct goes into the attic. This installation had none. You can see the space around the duct in this view from the basement.
Even to the un-initiated, this is an obvious large opening all the way to the attic-----still a very effective chimney. This to me is at least as important as reporting on the electrical service size---an item that is specifically required by most Standards of Practice.
Charles Buell
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It is important the inspector does the inspection correctly, good post.
Tom Davis
World Class DE Realtor
Oftentimes these not so minor, minor details, are overlooked. I was born, raised, and still live in the San Francisco Bay area. As most people know, the Berkeley Hills area can be very susceptible to fires during the summer if a fire gets started because of the winds and steep terrain that keep funneling the fire up the hills.
Being in a fire hazard zone, fire-stopping is very important. By code, all holes (even as small as 1/2") that are used to run electrical wires (penetrating interior and exterior walls) need to be blocked with fire-caulking or a retardant fire-resistant foam/insulation.
If a licensed contractor does not do their job and the inspector fails to call out mistakes, there are very little protections left for the homeowner!
Nice post ... I hope you enjoy the remainder of your weekend!
Charles, as usual a very informative post. Safety issues shoud be of utmost importance during a home inspection.
Hey Charles, what is a fire stop never heard of it. Just joking. Excellent post as usual.~ Newbie Roy
Charlie - I agree - very serious detail. Thanks for the info!
Tom, there is a lot of differences of opinion s to what "correctly" means unfortunately:)
Roger, so true
Jim, thanks
Roy, "fire stop"----all you need is a good hose right?:)
Carol, I sure think so---and thanks for "kickin'" my subscribe license plate :)
Good post Charles. I too look for the minimum standards. Although fire stopping is not addressed in this area, I do mention it in my reports...
Good common sense post. Code, no codes, in standards or not, if it makes sense and is right mention it.
Like usual well said Charles.
Charlie B,
Hence your nick name, used by me only, --"Ol' Minimum Charlie"
Darn you Chuckie B,
I was going to try the re-blog function on this post, as I have something related. You did not turn it on!
Michael, what do you mean by "I too look for the minimum standards"?
Steve, yup
Billy, thanks
Mini Steve, I have no clue what this re-blog thing is all about and until I do the "re-blog" option will remain turned off. Do you know what it is all about?
Steve, Ive always liked "Snarles" not exactly sure when he picked up that nick name up or where it came from where. But I'll bet it'd be a good one for scaring off buyers, sellers or reality agents.
Dad, you could put a warning sign in your yard "Beware of the Snarles" hehehehe...
Klee, I had almost forgotten that one. It came from Keir Wefferling. I used to call him Sneirs---so he started calling me Snarles:) I have been called worse---especially not to my face I am sure:)
hhhmm, Interesting information. I would not have seen anything wrong until your explanation.
Sean Allen
Sean, education is always the key is it not?