NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR HOME INSPECTORS

4.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

A. screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.

B. fences.

C. geological and/or soil conditions.

D. recreational facilities.

E. outbuildings other than garages and carports.

F. seawalls, break-walls, and docks.

G. erosion control and earth stabilization measures.

5. ROOFING

5.1 The inspector shall:

A. inspect:

1. roofing materials.

2. roof drainage systems.

3. flashing.

4. skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.

B. describe:

1. roofing materials.

2. methods used to inspect the roofing.

5.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

A. antennae.

B. interiors of flues or chimneys that are not

readily accessible.

C. other installed accessories.

6. PLUMBING

6.1 The inspector shall:

A. inspect:

1. interior water supply and distribution

systems including all fixtures and faucets.

2. drain, waste, and vent systems including all

fixtures.

3. water heating equipment and hot water

supply system.

4. vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

5. fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.

6. drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related

piping.

B. describe:

1. water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping

materials.

2. water heating equipment including energy

sources).

3. location of main water and fuel shut-off

valves.

6.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. inspect:

1. clothes washing machine connections.

2. interiors of flues or chimneys that 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. water supply quantity or quality.

C. operate automatic safety controls or manual

stop valves.

7. ELECTRICAL

7.1 The inspector shall:

A. inspect:

1. service drop.

2. service entrance conductors, cables, and

raceways.

3. service equipment and main disconnects.

4. service grounding.

5. interior components of service panels and

sub panels.

6. conductors.

7. over current protection devices.

8. a representative number of installed lighting

fixtures, switches, and receptacles.

9. ground fault circuit interrupters.

B. describe:

1. amperage and voltage rating of the service.

2. location of main disconnects) and sub

panels.

3. presence of solid conductor aluminum

branch circuit wiring.

4. presence or absence of smoke detectors.

5. wiring methods.

7.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. inspect:

1. remote control devices.

2. alarm systems and components.

3. low voltage wiring systems and components.

4. ancillary wiring systems and components.

not a part of the primary electrical power

distribution system.

B. measure amperage, voltage, or impedance.

EXTERIOR 4.2, Continued

8. HEATING

8.1 The inspector shall:

A. open readily open able access panels.

B. inspect:

1. installed heating equipment.

2. vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

C. describe:

1. energy sources).

2. heating systems.

8.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. inspect:

1. interiors of flues or chimneys that are not

readily accessible.

2. heat exchangers.

3. humidifiers or dehumidifiers.

4. electronic air filters.

5. solar space heating systems.

B. determine heat supply adequacy or

distribution balance.

9. AIR CONDITIONING

9.1 The inspector shall:

A. open readily open able access panels.

B. inspect:

1. central and through-wall equipment.

2. distribution systems.

C. describe:

1. energy sources).

2. cooling systems.

9.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. inspect electronic air filters.

B. determine cooling supply adequacy or

distribution balance.

C. inspect window air conditioning units.

10. INTERIORS

10.1 The inspector shall inspect:

A. walls, ceilings, and floors.

B. steps, stairways, and railings.

C. countertops and a representative number of

installed cabinets.

D. a representative number of doors and windows.

E. garage doors and garage door operators.

10.2 The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

A. paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.

B. carpeting.

C. window treatments.

D. central vacuum systems.

E. household appliances.

F. recreational facilities.

11. INSULATION & VENTILATION

11.1 The inspector shall:

A. inspect:

1. insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished

spaces.

2. ventilation of attics and foundation areas.

3. mechanical ventilation systems.

B. describe:

1. insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished

spaces.

2. absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at

conditioned surfaces.

11.2 The inspector is NOT required to disturb insulation.

See 13.2.A.11 and 13.2.A.12.

12. FIREPLACES AND SOLID FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES

12.1 The inspectors hall:

A. inspect:

1. system components.

2. chimney and vents.

B. describe:

1. fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.

2. chimneys.

12.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. inspect:

1. interiors of flues or chimneys.

2. fire screens and doors.

3. seals and gaskets.

4. automatic fuel feed devices.

5. mantles and fireplace surrounds.

6. combustion make-up air devices.

7. heat distribution assists (gravity fed and fan

assisted).

B. ignite or extinguish fires.

C. determine draft characteristics.

D. move fireplace inserts and stoves or firebox

13. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

13.1 General limitations:

A. The inspector is NOT required to perform any action or make any determination not specifically

stated in these Standards of Practice.

B. Inspections performed in accordance with these

Standards of Practice:

1. are not technically exhaustive.

2. are not required to identify concealed.

conditions, latent defects, or consequential

damages.

C. These Standards of Practice are applicable to

buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and

their garages or carports.

13.2 General exclusions:

A. Inspectors are NOT required to determine:

1. conditions of systems or components that

are not readily accessible.

2. remaining life expectancy of any system or

component.

3. strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or

efficiency of any system or component.

4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.

5. 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. market value of the property or its

marketability.

10. the advisability of 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 including molds or

mold-like substances.

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 method utilized to control or remove

suspected hazardous substances.

14. operating costs of systems or components.

15. acoustical properties of any system or

component.

16. soil conditions relating to geotechnical or

hydrologic specialties.

B. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:

1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.

2. or perform engineering services.

3. or perform any trade or any professional.

service other than home inspection.

4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.

C. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:

1. any system or component that is shut down

or otherwise inoperable.

2. any system or component that does not

respond to normal operating controls.

3. shut-off valves or manual stop valves.

D. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:

1. any area that 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. under-floor crawl spaces or attics that are

not readily accessible.

E. 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. items that are not installed.

3. installed decorative items.

4. items in areas that are not entered in

accordance with 13.2.D.

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.

F. Inspectors are NOT required to:

1. perform any procedure or operation that 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. describe or report on any system or

component that is not included in these

Standards and was not inspected.

3. move personal property, furniture, equipment,

plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.

4. dismantle any system or component, except

as explicitly required by these Standards of

Practice.

Alarm Systems

Warning devices installed or freestanding

including but not limited to

smoke detectors, carbon monoxide

detectors, flue gas, and other spillage

detectors, and security equipment

Automatic Safety Controls

Devices designed and installed to

protect systems and components from

unsafe conditions

Component

A part of a system

Decorative

Ornamental; not required for the proper

operation of the essential systems and

components of a home

Describe

To identify (in writing) a system or

component by its type or other

distinguishing characteristics

Dismantle

To take apart or remove any component,

device, or piece of equipment that

would not be taken apart or removed by

a homeowner in the course of normal

maintenance

Engineering

The application of scientific knowledge

for the design, control, or use of

building structures, equipment, or

apparatus

Further Evaluation

Examination and analysis by a qualified

professional, tradesman, or service

technician beyond that provided by the

home inspection

Home Inspection

The process by which an inspector

visually examines the readily accessible

systems and components of a home and

which describes those systems and

components in accordance with these

Standards of Practice

Household Appliances

Kitchen, laundry, and similar

appliances, whether installed or

free-standing

Inspect

To examine any system or component

of a building in accordance with these

Standards of Practice, using normal

operating controls and opening readily

open able access panels

Inspector

A person hired to examine any system

or component of a building in accordance

with these Standards of Practice

Installed

Attached such that removal requires tools

Normal Operating Controls

Devices such as thermostats, switches,

or valves intended to be operated by the

homeowner

Readily Accessible

Available for visual inspection without

requiring moving of personal property,

dismantling, destructive measures, or

any action that will likely involve risk to

persons or property

Readily Open able Access Panel

A panel provided for homeowner

inspection and maintenance that is

readily accessible, within normal reach,

can be removed by one person, and is

not sealed in place

Recreational Facilities

Spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming

pools, exercise, entertainment, athletic,

playground or other similar equipment,

and associated accessories

Report

Communicate in writing

Representative Number

One component per room for multiple

similar interior components such as

windows, and electric receptacles; one

component on each side of the building

for multiple similar exterior components

Roof Drainage Systems

Components used to carry water off a

roof and away from a building

Shut Down

A state in which a system or component

cannot be operated by normal operating

controls

Siding

Exterior wall covering and cladding;

such as: aluminum, asphalt, brick,

cement/asbestos, EIFS, stone, stucco,

veneer, vinyl, wood, etc.

Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

A hearth and fire chamber or similar

prepared place in which a fire may be

built and that is built in conjunction

with a chimney; or a listed assembly of

a fire chamber, its chimney, and related

factory-made parts designed for unit

assembly without requiring field

construction

Structural Component

A component that supports non-variable

forces or weights (dead loads) and variable

forces or weights (live loads)

System

A combination of interacting or

interdependent components, assembled

to carry out one or more functions.

Technically Exhaustive

An investigation that involves

dismantling, the extensive use of

advanced techniques, measurements,

instruments, testing, calculations, or

other means

Under-floor Crawl Space

The area within the confines of the

foundation and between the ground and

the underside of the floor

Unsafe

A condition in a readily accessible,

installed system or component that

is judged to be a significant risk of

bodily injury during normal,

day-to-day use; the risk may be due

to damage, deterioration, improper

installation, or a change in accepted

residential construction standards

Wiring Methods

Identification of electrical conductors or

wires by their general type, such as

non-metallic sheathed cable, armored

cable, or knob and tube, etc.

1. Inspectors shall avoid conflicts of interest or activities that compromise, or appear to compromise, professional

independence, objectivity, or inspection integrity.

A. Inspectors shall not inspect properties for compensation in which they have, or expect to have,

a financial interest.

B. Inspectors shall not inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation

or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the sale of a property.

C. Inspectors shall not directly or indirectly compensate realty agents, or other parties having

a financial interest in closing or settlement of real estate transactions, for the referral of

inspections or for inclusion on a list of recommended inspectors, preferred providers, or

similar arrangements.

D. Inspectors shall not receive compensation for an inspection from more than one party unless

agreed to by the clients).

E. Inspectors shall not accept compensation, directly or indirectly, for recommending contractors,

services, or products to inspection clients or other parties having an interest in inspected

properties.

F. Inspectors shall not repair, replace, or upgrade, for compensation, systems or components

covered by ASHI Standards of Practice, for one year after the inspection.

2. Inspectors shall act in good faith toward each client and other interested parties.

A. Inspectors shall perform services and express opinions based on genuine conviction and only

within their areas of education, training, or experience.

B. Inspectors shall be objective in their reporting and not knowingly understate or overstate the

significance of reported conditions.

C. Inspectors shall not disclose inspection results or client information without client approval.

Inspectors, at their discretion, may disclose observed immediate safety hazards to occupants

exposed to such hazards, when feasible.

3. Inspectors shall avoid activities that may harm the public, discredit themselves, or reduce public confidence

in the profession.

A. Advertising, marketing, and promotion of inspectors’ services or qualifications shall not be

fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading.

B. Inspectors shall report substantive and willful violations of this Code to the Society.