Standards of Practice (Abbreviated List).
The following list is an abbreviated list. It does not contain detail for each of the areas below.
Roof:
The inspector shall inspect from ground level or the eaves: the roof-covering materials; the gutters; the downspouts; the vents, flashing, skylights, chimney, and other roof penetrations; and the general structure of the roof from the readily accessible panels, doors or stairs.
Exterior:
The exterior wall-covering materials; the eaves, soffits and fascia; a representative number of windows; all exterior doors; flashing and trim; adjacent walkways and driveways; stairs, steps, stoops, stairways and ramps; porches, patios, decks, balconies and carports; railings, guards and handrails; and vegetation, surface drainage, retaining walls and grading of the property, where they may adversely affect the structure due to moisture intrusion.
Basement, Foundation, Crawlspace & Structure
The inspector shall inspect: the foundation; the basement; the crawlspace; and structural components.
Heating
The inspector shall inspect: the heating system, using normal operating controls. The inspector shall describe: the location of the thermostat for the heating system; the energy source; and the heating method.
Cooling
The inspector shall inspect: the cooling system, using normal operating controls. The inspector shall describe: the location of the thermostat for the cooling system; and the cooling method.
Plumbing
The inspector shall inspect: the main water supply shut-off valve; the main fuel supply shut-off valve; the water heating equipment, including the energy source, venting connections, emperature/pressure-relief (TPR) valves, Watts 210 valves, and seismic bracing; interior water supply, including all fixtures and faucets, by running the water; all toilets for proper operation by flushing; all sinks, tubs and showers for functional drainage; the drain, waste and vent system; and drainage sump pumps with accessible floats.
Electrical
The inspector shall inspect: the service drop; the overhead service conductors and attachment point; the service head, gooseneck and drip loops; the service mast, service conduit and raceway; the electric meter and base; service-entrance conductors; the main service disconnect; panelboards and over-current protection devices (circuit breakers and fuses); service grounding and bonding; a representative number of switches, lighting fixtures and receptacles, including receptacles observed and deemed to be arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI)-protected using the AFCI test button, where possible; all ground-fault circuit interrupter receptacles and circuit breakers observed and deemed to be GFCIs using a GFCI tester, where possible; and for the presence of smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
Fireplace
The inspector shall inspect: readily accessible and visible portions of the fireplaces and chimneys; lintels above the fireplace openings; damper doors by opening and closing them, if readily accessible and manually operable; and cleanout doors and frames.
Attic, Insulation & Ventilation
The inspector shall inspect: insulation in unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas; ventilation of unfinished spaces, including attics, crawlspaces and foundation areas; and mechanical exhaust systems in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area.
Doors, Windows & Interior
The inspector shall inspect: a representative number of doors and windows by opening and closing them; floors, walls and ceilings; stairs, steps, landings, stairways and ramps; railings, guards and handrails; and garage vehicle doors and the operation of garage vehicle door openers, using normal operating controls.
