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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) is
a not-for-profit association established in 1987. In 1994,
it became a self-regulating professional body when the OAHI Act received royal assent
(passage of Bill Pr158). Membership in OAHI is voluntary
and its members include
private, fee-paid home inspectors. OAHI's objectives include
promotion of excellence within the profession and continual
improvement of its members'
inspection services to the public.
(The OAHI acknowledges The
American Society of Home Inspectors ®, Inc. (ASHI ® for the use
of their Standards of Practice - version January 1, 2000.)
2. PURPOSE
AND SCOPE
2.1 The purpose of these Standards of Practice is
to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid home
inspectors who are members of the Ontario Association of
Home Inspectors.
Home Inspections
performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to
provide the client
with information regarding the condition of the systems and
components of the home as inspected at the time of the Home
Inspection.
2.2 Inspectors shall:
A. inspect
1. readily accessible systems and components of homes listed
in these Standards of Practice.
2. installed systems and components of homes listed in these
Standards of Practice.
B. report
1. on those systems and components inspected which, in the
professional opinion of the inspector, are significantly
deficient or are near the end of their service lives.
2. a reason why, if not self-evident, the system or component
is significantly deficient or near the end of its service
life.
3. the inspector's recommendations to correct or monitor
the reported deficiency.
4. on any systems and components designated for inspection
in these Standards of Practice which were present at the
time of the Home Inspection but were not inspected and a reason they
were not
inspected.
2.3 These Standards of Practice are not intended to limit
inspectors from:
A. including other inspection services, systems or components
in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice.
B. specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately
qualified and willing to do so.
C. excluding systems and components from the inspection if
requested by the client.
3. STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
3.1 The inspector shall
A. inspect
1. the structural components including foundation and framing.
2. by probing a representative number of structural components
where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications
of possible deterioration exist. Probing is NOT required
when probing would damage
any finished surface or where no deterioration is visible.
B. describe
1. the foundation and report the methods used to inspect
the under-floor crawl space
2. the floor structure
3. the wall structure
4. the ceiling structure
5. the roof structure and report the methods used to inspect
the attic.
3.2 The inspector is NOT required to
A. provide any engineering service or architectural service
B. offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural
system or component
4. EXTERIOR
4.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the exterior wall covering, flashing and trim.
2. all exterior doors.
3. attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and
their associated railings.
4. the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from
the ground level.
5. the vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining
walls on the property when any of these are likely to adversely
affect the building.
6. walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling
entrances. describe the exterior wall covering.
4.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.
2. geological, geotechnical or hydrological conditions.
3. recreational facilities.
4. outbuildings.
5. seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
6. erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
5. ROOF SYSTEM
5.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the roof covering.
2. the roof drainage systems.
3. the flashings.
4. the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
5. describe the roof covering and report the methods
used to inspect the roof.
5.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. antennae.
2. interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily
accessible.
3. other installed accessories.
6. PLUMBING
SYSTEM
6.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the interior water supply and distribution systems including
all fixtures and faucets.
2. the drain, waste and vent systems including all fixtures.
3. the water heating equipment.
4. the vent systems , flues, and chimneys.
5. the fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.
6. the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
B. describe
1. the water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials.
2. the water heating equipment including the energy source.
3. the location of main water and main fuel shut-off
valves.
6.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. the clothes washing machine connections.
2. the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily
accessible.
3. wells, well pumps, or water storage related equipment.
4. water conditioning systems.
5. solar water heating systems.
6. fire and lawn sprinkler systems.
7. private waste disposal systems.
B. determine
1. whether water supply and waste disposal systems are
public or private.
2. the quantity or quality of the water supply.
3. operate safety valves or shut-off valves.
7. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
7.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the service drop.
2. the service entrance conductors, cables, and raceways.
3. the service equipment and main disconnects.
4. the service grounding.
5. the interior components of service panels and sub
panels.
6. the conductors.
7. the overcurrent protection devices.
8. a representative number of installed lighting fixtures,
switches, and receptacles.
9. the ground fault circuit interrupters.
B. describe
1. the amperage and voltage rating of the service.
2. the location of main disconnect(s) and sub panels.
3. the wiring methods.
C. report:
1. on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch
circuit wiring.
2. on the absence of smoke detectors.
7.2 The inspector is
NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. the remote control devices unless the device
is the only control device.
2. the alarm systems and components.
3. the low voltage wiring, systems and components.
4. the ancillary wiring, systems and components
not a part of the primary electrical power
distribution system.
5. measure amperage, voltage, or impedance
8. HEATING SYSTEM
8.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the installed heating equipment.
2. the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
B. describe
1. the energy source.
2. the heating method by its distinguishing
characteristics.
8.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys which
are not readily accessible.
2. the heat exchanger.
3. the humidifier or dehumidifier.
4. the electronic air filter.
5. the solar space heating system.
6. determine heat supply adequacy or distribution
balance. 9. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
9.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect the installed central and through-wall
cooling equipment.
B. describe
1. the energy source
2. the cooling method by its distinguishing
characteristics. 9.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect electronic air filters.
B. determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution
balance.
10. INTERIOR
10.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the walls, ceilings, and floors.
2. the steps, stairways, and railings.
3. the countertops and a representative number of installed
cabinets.
4. a representative number of doors and windows.
5. garage doors and garage door operators. 10.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. the paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.
2. the carpeting.
3. the window treatments.
4. the central vacuum systems.
5. the household appliances.
6. recreational facilities. 11. INSULATION & VENTILATION
11.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. the ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. the mechanical ventilation systems.
B. describe
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned
surfaces. 11.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. disturb insulation or vapor retarders.
B. determine indoor air quality.
12. FIREPLACES AND SOLID FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES
12.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
1. the system components.
2. the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
B. describe
1. the fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
2. the chimneys.
12.2 The Inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. the firescreens and doors.
3. the seals and gaskets.
4. the automatic fuel feed devices.
5. the mantles and fireplace surrounds.
6. the combustion make-up air devices.
7. the heat distribution assists whether gravity controlled
or fan assisted.
B. ignite or extinguish fires.
C. determine draft characteristics.
D. move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.
13. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
13.1 General limitations:
A. Inspections performed in
accordance with these Standards of Practice:
1. are not technically exhaustive.
2. will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.
B. These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings
with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.
13.2 General exclusions:
A. The inspector is not required to
perform any action or make any determination unless specifically
stated in these Standards
of Practice, except as may be required by lawful authority.
B. Inspectors
are NOT required to determine:
1. the condition of systems or components which are not readily
accessible.
2. the remaining life of any system or component.
3. the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of
any system or component.
4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
5. the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
6. future conditions including, but not limited to, failure
of systems and components.
7. the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
8. compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations,
laws, ordinances, etc.).
9. the market value of the property or its marketability.
10. the advisability of the purchase of the property.
11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals
including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or
diseases harmful to humans.
12. the presence of any environmental hazards including,
but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in
soil, water,
and air.
13. the effectiveness of any system installed or methods
utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
14. the operating costs of systems or components.
15. the acoustical properties of any system or component.
C. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
2. or perform engineering services.
3. or perform work in any trade or any professional service
other than home inspection.
4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
D. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
1. any system or component which is shut down or otherwise
inoperable.
2. any system or component which does not respond to normal
operating controls.
3. shut-off valves.
E. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
1. any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector,
likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the
property or
2. its systems or components.
3. the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily
accessible.
F. Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
1. underground items including, but not limited to underground
storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence,
whether abandoned or active.
2. systems or components which are not installed.
3. decorative items.
4. systems or components located in areas that are not entered
in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
5. detached structures other than garages and carports.
6.common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing,
such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
G. Inspectors are NOT required to:
1. perform any procedure or operation which will, in the
opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector
or other persons
or damage the property or its systems or components.
2. move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture,
equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
3. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly
required by these Standards of Practice.
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